Problems with 2002 Buick LeSabre VISIBILITY

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. while driving 30 mph, the rear passenger side window dropped and would not roll back up. there were no prior warning indicators. the window had not been previously tampered with before the failure occurred. the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. the purchase date was unknown. the current and failure mileages were 47,000.

Two of four window regulators have failed leaving the windows in the down position. there was no notice prior to the failures. the windows were put in the down position and would not close. it is extremely disconcerting that this could happen and my wife and two young children (ages 2 & 4) could be left in the rain with no way of closing the window. i feel that gm needs to reimburse owners for the cost of replacing these window regulators. the first incident occurred in 11/07 and the second incident occurred in 2/08. *tr

Both rear passengers car window regulators broke and the windows fell down with in 2 days of each other. *tr

I own a 2002 buick le sabre. i have a broken rear window regulator on the right side rear. it is stuck in the down position. i am awaiting aftermarket part to repair myself since on-line information indicates this is a very prevalent problem, and quite expensive (>$500) to repair at the dealer or in a body shop. there are numerous reports of problems with buick regulators, and it seems nobody has addressed the problem: not buick not nhtsa. there should be a recall, and there should be compensation for repairs people have been forced to pay out of their pocket. i own 2 buicks at this time, and will probably never buy another. *jb

10-18-07 went out to check windows before storm and noticed right side rear window was down slightly. when i tried to put it up i found that the window regulator had failed and just let the window drop. this is the second one to fail this month. first one failure 10-3-07 this is plainly a factory defect that buick will not address on it's own. *tr

10/3/07 while driving down road with nobody in rear passenger side, rear window just dropped and wouldn't go up. took to betten auto for repair and was told the regulator was broke and repair cost was $592.00. and that this is a common problem. and when 1 goes the other are sure to follow. *jb

I have a 2002 buick lesabre with just over 23,000 miles and after closing the door the power window behind the driver's seat, had dropped down and would not go up. i retrieved a web site below with numerous others that have experienced the same problem.(see below) could you see that the manufacturer of this power assembly issue a recall for this faulty workmanship. purchased at sharpe buick dealership 1010 28th st. s.e. grand rapids, mi. 49508 in year 2002 with 6,000 miles on odometer. http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_52823.html *tr updated 01-15-08. *kb updated *jb

I have a 2002 year buick lesabre where the front and rear windows would not raise up or down fully. i had to manually raised each window ny hand to close it if accidentally lowered by a passenger. we got one of our windows replaced for $600. i bought the other part for our rear window for about 60 dollars and had a mechanic placed in much cheaper than the former dealership charged. with one of the child-proof rear windows now locked with a piece of wood holding it up in the door window this makes it very unsafe if this car ever is submerged in water or some other compromising position with the rear passenger needing to escape. *tr

I own a 2002 lesabre and in the last six months i have had (3) of my window regulators to break. first was the passenger window in the front and two weeks ago the one in the back on the passenger side broke and today 08/21/2007 the one behind the driver broke while i was driving on the highway. *tr

2002 buick lasabre - a rarely used (no childern) back window fell suddenly while driving. just had it replaced at the dealership at a cost of $442 (after getting them to lower the price $50 - so total would have been $492). this is an known problem by gm. the dealership and gm has not owned up to this problem. the part on the open market is only $99 - the dealership charges $344 for the same part.

On june 18, 2007, i heard a loud noise from the back of the car. i had no idea what it was until i got home and noticed the rear right window was open. i tried to close it but it would not close. i brought it to my mechanic and he said it was the regulator/motor that broke. he said that it was common in buicks because the parts are made of plastic. today it happened again, this time to the left rear window. slight popping noise and the window slid down and i couldn't get it back up. i was alone both times and no one ever rides in the back. i think i may have opened those windows less than a dozen times. i only have 11,000 miles on the car and can't believe that this has happened. *jb

Window on right driver side and on left rear driver side broken in down position. neither window was used excessively. *jb

I bought a 2002 buick lesabre limited early in 2007, by summertime the passenger window, and both rear windows fell without being used, i bought a replacement window motor and now they are working ok, the front driver side window has difficulty going up and down, i replaced the window motor and it is still having difficulty, though this time it is due to the window track being dry. this window problem should be recalled, many other lesabre owners experience the same problem. all 4 window motors have been replaced in 2008 and for over a year i was driving a car with no working windows, this may not appear like a problem that would lead to death or injury, but what would happen if somehow there is a fire in the car and you need to pull down your windows, or during the winter your window gets foggy and you need to pull it down to be able to see, while i understand that you can warm up the car before driving, a window can get foggy very quickly when the temperature is below 40 degrees and pulling down a window to be able to see to make a turn safely could be a life saving event. *tr

1) no evidence leading up to failure 2) window mechanism failed, window would not return to closed position 3) had to have buick replace mechanism at over $500 expense there are over 82 records of this exact problem on carsurvey (.org) - and not everyone surfs to record their problem. *tr

2002 buick lesabre limited 28,000 miles. the windows simply fall down inside the door. we replaced one back window under a year ago at the cost of $600.00 dollars. recently, the other back window dropped inside the door. on april 28, 2008, buick customer relations department advised paying the dealer to diagnose the problem. on other telephone conversations, the buick consumer relations department has informed our daughter who called on our behalf that no recall for the window problems exists on the vehicle. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. while driving at an unknown speed, the front driver side electrical window came down approximately one inch. the contact pressed the button to raise the window and it dropped. approximately five months later, the passenger side rear window does not operate at all. six months later, the rear driver side window stopped operating as well. the current mileage was 45,000 and failure mileage was 40,000. updated 04/03/08. *lj

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the contact stated that the drivers side and the rear passenger windows have fallen into the door and she was unable to close them. the vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed her that she needed to replace the window regulators. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure occurred intermittently and had continued to occur after the last repair. the failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Defective power window regulators on my 2002 buick lesabre cost to repair @ $500.00 each. this is a huge problem with this vehicle from 2000-2005 model gm needs to recall this defective part. *tr

Rear power window failed to go back up when lowered while driving. there was no warning or indication that there was a problem until it stopped working. 2002 buick, lesabre, has only 34,000 miles, but was no longer under warranty. the rear power window had only been lowered 10-12 times since purchased brand new, as i hardly ever had rear seat passengers. based on symptoms and research it appeared to be a defective power window regulator. based on internet complaints this appeared to be a chronic problem with buicks. in fact, when i called the local buick dealer for a cost estimate , about $500, they said that they had just fixed o another lesabre that day! also, they suggested it was likely the window regulator based on my brief description. however, they said there was no recall on that recurring failure, and i would have to pay full price.*ak i have been driving with the rear window held up with black duct tape, but it does not hold that well. i is obviously not a fix, but i refuse to pay $500 to fix something that has only been used about a dozen times, is a known defect and has the probability of breaking again after another dozen uses based on what i have read.

Just replaced my first window regulator in my 2002 buick lesabre. the dealer wanted to charge $500+ but after arguing about it being such a widespread issue, they did agree to do it for the labor cost ($140). but i know that won't work for the future repairs and if the postings on the web sites are any indicator, the next one could happen any day now. i am afraid to use the window! but i now know to carry duct tape in the car. buick has quite a deal going - install cheap plastic parts and charge consumers $500 a pop to fix them with the same cheap plastic part. *jb

General motors cars: (a) 2001 oldsmobile aurora, with 55,000 miles & (b) 2002 buick lesabre, with 62,000 miles 1. in june 2006, within 2 weeks of one another, both rear power windows on car a just dropped. repair and replacement cost about $500 for each window. old parts are not available. 2. last night (2/18/2007), in 28 degree weather, we got into car b to return home and when we shut the doors, both right side windows dropped. it was frigid and i put a blanket up to keep the cold out. this blocked my view of the left side of the vehicle and i almost hit a pedestrian. i will take the car to a dealership for repairs and replacement which will undoubtedly cost over $1000. in both cases, i engage the child door locks and window control to prevent children from opening or falling out of the window. when the rear window falls as it did, children are in danger. while researching this problem on the internet, i have discovered that this has been a problem for buick since 2000. why has the problem persisted for over many years, until the 2002 model year and beyond!? this problem demands a recall! *jb

Power window regulators continue to fail. if not fixed properly could cause damage to individuals and vehicle. failure is very common and due to a manufacturers defect in design. *nm

2002 buick lasabre. window regulator failure. i have not replaced it yet. the motor works fine, it is the plastic regulator that fails. i have been unable to purchase just the regulator without the motor. appears to be a very high number of these failures, yet buick refuses to recall the part or supply the part minus the motor, which would cost significantly less than the current price of $400. *nm

The rear driver's side window made a pop noise as i was driving. the window then slowly slid down into the door. the window now will not return to the up position. this could be a safety issue during poor driving conditions causing the driver to be distracted by anything coming through the window; snow, rain, etc. it is also a personal safety issue as well as a child safety issue. i have a child in the back seat and i keep the child locks engaged to keep him from opening the door but what is to stop him from going out the window even if i have the windows locked. the cause of the failure is cheap plastic parts used in the window regulator that break even if the window is not used. i have already replaced one window regulator and now i am going to have to replace this one as well. i know gm is aware of the problem because they reimbursed me for the first one but refuse to do so on this one. the dealership has said that it is not a question of if the windows will fail, but when. there are many websites on the internet of this same problem. when is someone going to look after the consumer and not the corporation. i have detailed in this letter the possibility of a crash hazard if the window fails and causes a distraction to the driver, personal safety, and personal security of children in the rear seat. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph on normal road conditions, both side windows in the rear began to slip down into the door, causing an inability to properly secure the vehicle, as well as damage to the vehicle from rain. there were no warning signals prior to the incident. the vehicle was taken to a dealership, who replaced the power window switch, but the problem persisted.

The power window regulator on my 2002 buick lesabre have failed three times. the first was the driver side window which was replaced by the dealer for $550.00. several days later the passenger side window failed. this was fixed by me after doing some reseach on how to repair this item. now the same window has broke again and i will fix it again, but in doing more research i have come across a site on the internet that has numerous complaints about this window regulator assembly in the buick lesabre and i feel that i should file my complaint becaue this is obviously a design/manufacturing defect from gmc. *jb

Window regulators on both rear windows have gone out on my buick lesabre.. windows never used as no passengers in my vehicle. *nm

Dt: the contact stated the passenger front window controls were inoperable and the dealer replaced the regulator. the problem has occurred in the rear driver side window. the dealer has been alerted.

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 mph under normal road conditions, the window regulator fractured. the service dealer replaced the window regulator. updated 11/30/2006 - *nm

Power window failure. *jb

I just noticed my rear passenger side window was down. i never use the rear windows. i could not raise it with the power button. my front passenger window will not respond to the controls at all. my cruise control switch went out with less than 30,000 miles. the repair shop has had several of these and internet message boards were amazing. some people reported as many as 3 separate occurrences of window failure( or window regulator failure).jb

Driver side rear window failed. actuator broken. after review on internet learned that defective actuator very common on buick lesabre. *nm

Window regulator failure three windows. *jb

Dt*: the contact stated the driver's side rear power window would not go up or down. an independent mechanic determined the regulator and motor were bad.

Both rear power windows failed operation in down position. dealer stated this was common and would cost owner $1000 to fix both windows. owners are retired on fixed income with no passengers in read seating. rear windows rarely operated. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated the passenger side power window would not go up. the dealership determined that the regulator was bad and this was a common problem with these vehicles. the dealership replaced the regulator. the contact was provided the old part. there was concern expressed that the other power windows will also fail.

Power window dropped or fell into door and broke after failure of regulator or track. this is the third such incident on the same vehicle in approximately 12 months, but involved a different window each time. each repair cost approximately $500. both manufacturer and dealer claim it has not received an unusual number of complaints, but manufacturer has released at least one technical service bulletin on this problem (tsb #3483, nhtsa id #10017398). *jb

recently, my 2002 buick lesabre (purchased new in 2002) had the two rear windows fail within a few months of each other. in both cases, the cable which raises/lowers the window broke. the cable cannot be replaced alone but the motor and regulator must also be replaced. the cost for this at a gm dealer was $479.00 while the same job cost $290 at a non-gm repair center (gemini/goodyear). i lodged a complaint with buick and then researched the problem on the internet. i found a complaint about the same problem on a 1999 buick lesabre. this is obviously a defective design and one which is known to buick for several years prior to the 2002 model. while it is not a safety issue (unless there is adverse weather such as freezing cold or driving rain), it is an economic one. why no recall by buick? is it because the problem crops up after the 3 year warranty is no longer in effect. i suspect so. *jb

Right front power window regulator failure, due to defective plastic cable guide located at the top of the regulator. right front window failed, fell down inside the door and could not be raised. this happened august 2006 aprox. next the right rear window regulator failed about 3 months later. then the left rear window regulator failed. all 3 windows had the exact same problem, a plastic guide at the top of the regulator is guiding a metal cable unto a plastic winding spool, when the guide breaks the cable becomes tangled on the spool and can not be raised. i paid for and replaced the window regulator right front before the other 2 windows failed. i filed a complaint with general motors, their response after many phone calls they agreed to pay for the part only. i don't have the bill for the regulator in front of me but the cost was about $ 318.00 they refused to pay for the defective rear window regulators repair. i was told to have the vehicle repaired at my expense then file a new claim and wait for their answer. i have propped both rear windows shut with a piece of wood, they can no longer be lowered. this is a safety issue, please investigate. *tr

I purchased a 2002 buick lesabre on feb 10, 2006 with 26,000 miles from a buick dealer. since then two window motors have failed, costing me around $900. it seems that a $450 repair bill is the only way to fix this, the window cannot stay up otherwise. two windows in less then a year, no help from buick. pathetic. *nm

Rear window regulator on 02 buick lesabre needed to be replaced-over $500. less than a year later the front passengers window regulator needed to be replaced-$400. the dealer indicated a "bulletin" existed. the mechanic on the 2nd occurrence said it is a common problem. my brother has a lesabre as well, and guess what? window regulator problems!!! with a bad design like this, why can't someone force gm to recall these parts? *jb

I own two buick lesabre's, one is from 2000 and the other is from 2002. both vehicles have or are under 50,000 miles. the windows have stopped working in three of the 2000 model and two of the windows in the 2002 model no longer work. the failures have occurred within 1-7 days of each other on each vehicle. seems to be timed. *jb

3 power windows have failed on my 2002 buick lesabre. *jb

2002 buick le sabre window regulator broke and replaced both rear windows and drivers side window. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the contact took her vehicle to a car wash and was informed that it could not be washed because the two rear windows had dropped down into the door and would not roll back up. the dealer stated that the regulator cable guides were cracked and twisted. the cables were replaced at the cost of $250 and the dealer was reimbursed by gm. on august 6, 2008, the failure recurred with the front driver's side window. the diagnosis was a failed regulator and it was repaired at the cost of $674.04. the current mileage was 27,283 and failure mileage was 20,135.

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the rear window regulators failed and as a consequence the window devices are not operating normally. the regulators were repaired three times at an expense of $525.00 each. the dealer and a technician stated the regulators are poorly designed and will continue fail. the failure mileage was 62,000 and the current mileage was 83,000. updated 07/07/08. *lj updated *jb

Dt*: the contact stated the rear passenger window was opened and would not close. the vehicle was taken to the service dealer who replaced the power window motor regulator. the problem has now occurred on the rear driver side window. the dealer and manufacturer have been alerted of the current problem. prior to the failure, there was a loud noise before the incident happened. updated 07/05/06. *jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 buick lesabre. the contact stated that the window motors were defective and causing the windows to remain stuck. the dealer made four attempts to diagnose and repair the failure. the manufacture was notified who offered no assistance. the vehicle was repaired by an authorized dealer. the current mileage was approximately 90,000. the failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Blower motor failed rendering the front window defroster useless. the local garage i took it to said that this was the third such failure they've seen. they attempted to replace the unit but ran into a problem because of a design change in the replacement blower. they took the car to a gm dealer that was able to ,after a considerable amount of time, install the replacement blower. i was pleased until i received the invoice which included the charge for labor of $488.00. i'm waiting for a return phone call from gm as to whether or not they'll reimburse any of this cost. *jb

In october of 2005 the passenger rear window slipped down and would not roll up again and i had to have the components replaced at a cost of $400 to me because there are no aftermarket parts and i had to buy the entire unit, half of which i did not need. now the driver side rear window has done the same and i will have to spend an additonal $400 to fix this. i have to add that these windows were rarely rolled up or down. i feel this is totally planned obselescence by the auto maker and an effort to make more money on the car. *nm