Problems with 2002 Buick LeSabre VISIBILITY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. while driving approximately 40 mph with the heating system activated, cold air emitted from the vents of the vehicle. in addition, there was an unknown substance leaking from the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 68,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. while checking the window motor, it was discovered that the wiring inside the door was poorly assembled. every time it rained, the window regulators had to be replaced. the failure occurred twice. the manufacturer was not notified. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 24,000. updated 7/21/15*cn updated 9/23/15 *js

1. dashboard separating from windshield and causing 3" gap causing partial obstruction. now is separating more at drivers' side near steering wheel, and about 75% pulled away at this time. critical safety problem because air bags may deploy and injury or death could occur. cannot fix easily and consider it critical defect and inferior workmanship. not able to safely drive the car or able to sell it! 2. electric windows in back passenger and driver side had to be replaced. $$ 3. light switch control malfunctions and recently stuck in the "on" position. had to disconnect battery to turn off. this just happened last night and was inconvenienced greatly !! 4. headliner falling down and was repaired twice. now is falling down where it was not repaired!

2002 buick lesabre. consumer writes in regards to vehicle surges forward when brakes are applied. *smd the consumer also stated the vehicle had defective drums, that melted and severed the front brake wiring, exactly at the point when the brake system wires traveled from the engine and entered the brake drums. the consumer also stated the vehicle had poor gas mileage, the three out of the four windows collapsed in the down position, and would not come back up. the consumer believed the engine and the hood were defective, as the paint on the hood melted.

This is regarding recent replacement of both rear window regulators. research has proven that many complaints have been filed over the years with no recall. i would hope for financial help, $1000 to cover the cost of repairs, as the minimum response; and also, i hope for a recall to help the many others who have suffered great financial costs and safety. i have been directed by my father, [xxx], original and present owner of this 2002 buick, to help him be a responsible consumer/customer. my father of 88 years still believes in american made cars, especially in gm. he has been watching, like many americans, for a "come back" in the auto industry, especially the correction of problems that clearly has a large documentation of complaints as this one. i hope you will be able to honor his faithfulness in perhaps a small financial way, and perhaps even in a greater way through a recall. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

I was driving on the highway a few days before december 3, 2011, and i heard a loud "pop" sound from the back seat of my car. on the 3rd, i was driving along and started hearing the sound of an open window in the back seat. i tried to close the back-right window with the power window control on the driver's door, but it didn't move the window (i heard the motor running, though). i then parked the car and got out to try to pull/push the window shut, but it would not stay all the way up. it had started with just an inch or so being open, but eventually it slid down so it was only about halfway up. from what i've read online ( http://www.carcomplaints.com/buick/lesabre/2002/windows_windshield/window_regulator_broke.shtml ), this is a fairly common problem with this model of car, but buick is saying that there's not enough reports of this issue to declare a recall notice for the window regulator. i disagree. from what i've read, repairing a single window with this problem can cost up to $300 plus labor, and usually when one window goes bad, the others are soon to follow. i don't really feel like paying $1200 for windows in a car i only paid $5000 for used... *tr

The rear window drivers side just fell down, won't go back up. have been told thus is common and is from gm bad parts for window regulators. *tr

2002 buick lesabre - powered rear window regulator failure 2x. *tr

Both front and rear passenger windows failed to go up after put in the down position. had to replace both widow regulator's at a cost of 450.00. only 60,732 miles on the car. *tr

Window falls into the door without input from driver or passenger. this is a very common problem with buick lesabre cars and should be covered by gm as a design defect. *tr

Second time a power window has dropped within 4 months. first was the passenger rear in january 2010, second was front passenger window may 2010. seems the power window regulators are running a metal cable over a plastic pulley wheel and using a plastic spool on the motor. when the plastic pulley wheel breaks the cable misaligns on the spool and the window drops and is inoperable. costs of repairs is over $460.00 usd. *tr

While driving my 2002 buick lesabre, the front passenger window made a crunching noise and then just sank down into the doorframe. so i guess i'll be either replacing the window regulator or having the window permanently closed. i've already replaced one regulator (driver's seat) and had one other window closed (back seat, passenger side). first failure occurred about a year ago. second was about 2 months ago. latest event was yesterday. *tr

Power windows dropped with a bang while traveling at freeway speeds. three of the four windows have failed this way at different times. the bang caused an unsafe distraction. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the contact started the ignition and the front passenger window abruptly released in a downward position without assistance. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the window regulator was replaced. recently, the rear driver window exhibited the similar failure as the front passenger window. the contact notified the dealer and scheduled an appointment for repair. the failure mileage was approximately 70,000. updated 02/23/11 *bf updated 02/28/11

I have had to place 3 window regulators in the past year. i have been told that some plastic piece on the regulator is failing. i've researched and seen that many others have had the same problems. also i've been told by the previous owner that they had the same problems. *tr

Ltr addressed to the potus re defective parts on his 2002 buick lesabre custom, inquiring what can the government do through gm to properly compensate him; for the administrators signature. *kb all four of the window regulators had to be replaced, the sealant holding the cover to the dashboard came apart, which caused a large gap near the base of the windshield on the drivers side. *jb

Dash pad coming loose, bowing up in front of driver, becoming detached in crucial area at passenger side airbag. to repair will cost around $950 parts and labor. also window regulators have been replaced in windows that are used the least. *tr

At approximately 25,000 miles, my 2002 buick lesabre's rear driver's side window regulator went out in the middle of the winter while a child was in the back seat. it just fell down, and barely missed harming the child. three days later, i replaced the part. four days after that, the rear passenger side window did the exact same thing. i replaced the part. two months after that, both the front window regulators went out. those parts were replaced. four months later, the front passenger side went out again. within two weeks, all four window regulators had gone out for a second time. they were all replaced at the same time. six months later, and now three of the four are out again. (only the driver's window remains working at this point.) i have spent over $1,500 in just over a year, getting parts replaced for the windows and still the problem persists. i have spent $98.50 on different types of tape to try to find one that will hold the windows up, so they do not break while driving. i have had no luck finding one that holds for more than a day or two. this is an extreme danger to everyone in my car, along with others on the road, because i have to use so much tape to hold them up that i cannot see my mirrors properly. i have to travel with small children in my car with child safety seats, but i cannot trust the windows to stay up and am tired of constantly being scared that one will come down and break near the children, but have already spent so much trying to fix it that i cannot possibly sink any more money into 'fixing' something that is now apparent will never be 'fixed'. *tr

I have removed my dashboard cover or so called dash board pad and have re-glued it 3 times and now it is curling up at the forward end again. the front of the headliner is now rotting at the foam area between the fabric and the molded shape, the same as has been ocurring since the early 1980's. the foam is deteriorating from the heat and the sun, (florida owners are effected more than some), turning to powder so there is nothing that can be done other than replace it with the same garbage from gm or have an upholstery shop like mine. http://www.markthree.com replace the fabric on the existing ceiling shaping board, after spending hours removing the ceiling headliner from the car and then removing all of the rotted foam and fabric brought to a clean and usable surface. why are we still dealing with the same sun vs. glue problems that we have since they stopped doing stretch ceilings in the 70's? as an upholsterer at http://www.eastcoastautotoys.com i do make a good living off of this abomination but as a 2002 buick lesabre owner, i do not appreciate that i have had to remove my dashboard cover also called pad and have reglued and remolded it 3 times. now it is curling up at the forward ends again as well as by the air bag. the front of the headliner is now falling loose and down at the front windshield area due to rotting foam, {just like like those of the 1980's}. the foam is deteriorating and turning to powder so there is nothing that can be done other than replace it with the same garbage or have an upholstery shop like mine replace the fabric on the existing board. after spending 45 minutes removing the ceiling from the car and then another hour removing all of the rotted foam.....why are we still dealing with the same sun vs. glue problems that we have since they stopped doing stretch ceilings in the early 70's? as an upholsterer i do make a good living off of this abomination but as a 2002 buick lesabre owner, i do not appreciate wasting my time ... *tr

Window regulators are very prone to fail. three have failed on my car, and one has been replaced twice. this is a very common problem on several gm cars. the window can fall open and will not close which could be dangerous in inclement weather. this is also expensive and a financial hardship on owners and should have been addressed some time ago. *tr

I bought this car in feb 2008. in november 2008, the driver side front window started having issues going back up after being opened. it would go about 1/2 way up and get stuck. i would then have to pull over and force the window closed. this happened multiple times throughout the entire winter. then more recently(10/8/09), as weather started getting cold again, the same thing started happening. except this time, the window doesn't go back up at all. this is very frustrating and can be distracting when you're trying to pay attention to the road. my main concern is going through toll booths in mid winter, 20 degree weather and not being able to close my window. this happened last winter and i nearly got into an accident because of it. i was quoted that the window regulator would cost $600 to replace. i don't have that kind of money and therefore can't afford to replace this component. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the rear driver side window fell into the door panel and the contact was unable to close the window. the vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility where the contact was informed that the window regulator would need replacing. the vehicle was repaired. approximately nine months later, the failure recurred on the front passenger window. the vehicle was taken back to the same independent repair facility where the window was repaired. the failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.

Driver's side car window will not go up and down. *tr

Power window regulators not working. i have 3 windows to drop down, repaired one at dealer for $450, disconnected the other 2 and blocked them up. the 1st happened about 3 yrs ago, the 2nd happened about 1 yr. ago and the 3rd this aug 2009. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. while the contact was examining her vehicle, the rear driver's side window suddenly fell inside of the door. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the window regulator needed to be replaced. prior to the failure, she replaced both windows twice for the same failure. the current mileage was 62,000 and failure mileage was 45,000.

The power windows on my 2002 buick lesabre keep breaking. both back windows have failed and the driver's side window recently failed. a regulator in the power window fails and the window retracts/slams into the door permanantly. this is very startling when it happens on the road and nearly caused me to wreck the car. *tr

Windows fall. three of four windows so far fall into the door after the power window mechanism and be heard to snap inside the door. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the contact stated the glass on the rear driver side window fell into the window mount without warning. the vehicle was diagnosed at a local repair facility where the contact was informed the failure was caused by a defective cable motor. the manufacturer would not provide any assistance, stating they had not received any similar complaints on the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 45,000.

Right side passenger window regulator broke on 24jun09 and left side back passenger window regulator broke on 13jul09. both windows fixed in up position at local repair shop. repair for each window is over $400. mechanics states that this is a known defect in this model and expect the other two window regulators to fail. contacted gm/buick and they said they have not had enough complaints to warrant a recall and fix of this problem. i feel this company should be held accountable for this defect. part is made of metal and plastic (metal chain that goes over a plastic wheel). researched internet for customer feedback on this problem and found many customer complaints about this mechanism. *tr

Rear passenger window dropped down by itself for no reason while driving. it had not been used since the driver side window also dropped down and was repaired 2 years ago. we had not used the rear windows on purpose because it is a known window regulator defect which no one has recalled. however, the window fell by itself anyway. the 3 or 4 inch gap of open space is now taped over, but it is unsecured and could easily break. i am not going to pay the $500 it takes to get it fixed. nhtsa should force a recall for this common recurring defect which is unsafe and expensive to repair. *tr

I lowered the windows and when i went to raise the rear-passenger there was a "crack" noise and it would not go back up. the plastic part, at the top of the window regulator, had broken - causing the wire, which runs through the regulator, moving the window up and down, to just coil up inside the door panel. i went to a dealership to have them quote me the cost of repairing and was eventually told the repair would run me ~$700. i was told that the part alone was ~$400. i didn't have them fix it... because i was expecting a ~$75 repair... not ~$700! i taped up the window (which i hate being "that car") and decided to get another quote. at the time i was incredibly busy with work and didn't get around to it though. roughly a month later the exact same thing happened to my front-passenger window. i now have both passenger side windows held up by tape. i cannot believe there is no recall for this. i have tried looking for a place to submit problems with cars to buick directly, but have been told to only go to a dealership and tell them.... and i've already been to a dealership with this problem and no luck. i have taken my door panel off to try and fix myself and was very surprised that the problem was just that the top part of the regulator, which is basically just a track for the wire to run in as the window goes up and down, was cheap plastic. the rest of the regulator is steal, and the part that has all the tension from the wire running over it, is plastic. ridiculous. *tr

The rear driver side window made a grinding noise and dropped down. the window had become inoperative. this is the second window to become inoperative. previously, the front passenger window regulator became defective and inoperative. the window regulator is going out one at a time. *tr

Drivers side back window, fell down. to get repaired would be $458. so window was blocked up with 4 pieces of wood by the dealership. this is a couple in their late 70's & 80. in the wintertime. alot of complaints on line of this same problem. *tr

I also have experienced window regulator failure, passenger front side went down and that?s where it stayed. a search on the internet has proven out that this is a major problem on buicks of this era as well as other models using the regulator mechanisms from the supplier to gm. my bill ended up over 500 dollars for repair at a gm dealership. this is a major problem, verified by one of their mechanics. i called gm customer satisfaction department and spoke with a gentleman who also verified it is a major problem, but gm will not stand behind them after expiration of the warranty. i love this car but am seriously considering trading as i am fearful of what the future holds with the other windows after researching the problem. *tr

General motors 2002 buick lesabre window motors. i have had the car 5 years and i have replaced 2 window motors. two were covered by warranty. two i was forced to replace and now the last window that has not been replaced has failed. there is an obvious problem in the design. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the contact stated that the motor in the window was failing. as a result, the windows do not roll up or down occasionally. the failure has been occurring for a year and a half. the vehicle has never been taken in for service. the contact stated that this was a safety issue because it could lead to theft or her children could crawl out of the window. the failure mileage was 88,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the contact stated that the front passenger side window has failed twice. both rear windows also failed. the front passenger side window regulator was replaced in september of 2008. a report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that they would not assist with the repair because the vehicle was out of warranty. the failure mileage was 22,000 and current mileage was 26,000.

While driving window passenger side fell down and could not be brought up. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. she noticed that both rear windows had fallen inside of the door. the vehicle has not been taken to the dealer for inspection. the same failure occurred on the front passenger-side window. the current and failure mileages were 42000. updated 1/28/10 *cn the fuel pressure regulator was leaking. the manifold was cracked and had to be replaced as well as the crankshaft sensor. updated 02/03/10.*jb

I have 2002 buck lasabre, custom; only 22,000 miles. only i use the car , it looks like new. asking direction, i opened right front window. but i was unable to close it. i open front windows only in rare cases - to ask something; maybe 10-15 times since 2002. during the night the car remained open and someone took sportive shoes and about $12 that i forgot to take home. next day i came to buick auto shop (the dealership where i bought the car in 2002) and i was told that this was window regulator and it would cost $760. i am a retiree and can't pay such amount. i open a part of the door and found out that the reason was a defected cam. i needed 3 small parts ( an upper front cam, wheel (both from plastic) and a guide (from metal) that fix the cam and wheel to the frame. all these parts should cost only several dollars but nobody gave me their numbers. i was told that it is impossible to order them. on the internet i found many similar complaints. as if the company deliberately put defected parts that can be easily changed but only by gm employees ( a customer leaves unnecessary defected unit) and sold again as new. *tr

Broken rear driver window regulator on 2002 lesabre buick. 72,000 miles. lowering windows and window stopped working in down position. $400 to fix and 3-5 days. *tr

The dashboard on the vehicle started buckling at least 5 years ago. the buckling is severe and extends across the entire dash. the windows have also broken. i have had three of them repaired and one is still broken.*jb

Electric window mechanism has failed on both rear windows. failure occured while lowering the window with the up/down switch located on the door. both windows failed when they were aproxiately 3/4 of the way down. the windows were each operated only a couple of times before failure. the right rear was the first to fail. was repaired at official buick dealership by replacing entire mechanism at a cost of $666.00. left rear failed next, and has not yet been repaired. *tr

Power window regulator failure. *tr

Three of my windows on my 2002 buick lasabre limited have all failed. the window has detached from the motor, it seems. apparently this is a common problem with these cars, yet no recall to fix it is offered. i cannot open these windows because i would be driving around without being able to get them back up. the cost to fix this is about $200 - $400. not only should i not have to pay to fix an obvious problem, but i do not have the money to do so. i am amazed that there is no recall for this. *tr

In mar, 2008 the right front power window regulator failed and the window was stuck in the open position at 47,827 miles; i had the regulator replaced at a cost to me of $373.00; then in october, 2008 the right rear window failed and was stuck in the open position, at 53,612 miles. due to the cost of the regulator i had it sketched in the closed position which cost me $78.53; then in nov.2008 the left rear window stuck in the open position at 54,054 miles. i also had it scotched shut at a cost to me of $75.25. i am filing a complaint with general motors, buick division today. this is an obvious defect and should be repaired and corrected by general motors/ buick. *tr

2002 buick lasabre custom regulators at both rear power windows malfunctioning. the cable that guides window up and down jumped the tracking and was chewed and twisted making it necessary to be replaced costing $400 at each occurrence. *tr

Power window failure on 2002 buick lesabre. i own a 2002 buick lesabre which i purchased new. i also purchased an extended service warranty from general motors when i purchased the vehicle in august, 2002. just as the vehicle turned 2 years old, the power windows started failing one by one. to date i have replaced three of the window motors and one has now failed for the second time. it seems that gm should be very aware of this problem with defective window motors since i have been finding many complaints on the internet, and i have also spoken to other buick owners. i am also being told that even though my car has less than 55000 miles on it my extended warranty expired in august 2007. (it ran concurrently with the bumper to bumper for three years). the cost of the window repair is approximately $600.00 per window. the dealership has finally agreed to give the parts and i pay for repair, ($120.00), which is still a lot of money for shoddy windows. i hope you are able to do something so that gm will give us a permanent free fix to this problem. *tr

Jan 2007 - front driver side window fell down in door while rolling down to pay airport toll - window motor replaced ~$500 oct 2007 - rear driver side window fell into door while car was parked - window motor replaced ~$500 dec 2007 - rear passenger side window fell into door while driving in 25 m.p.h. zone - being repaired. *tr

It is currently 39 degrees and raining in san antonio texas and i just had the second window on my 2002 buick lesabre fail. this is ridiculous! my grandfather worked for gm for 40 years and i have been loyal to a fault. please help me understand why this is happening to me and apparently many others and buick won't recall the cars to fix them. at 500 dollars each i am furious. shame on you gm. *tr