2003 Buick LeSabre
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 61 of 164 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 310 in 2002 to 164 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100 | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 20 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | 17 / 27 | 18 / 27 | 18 / 27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 444 | 423 | 423 | 423 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 328 | 310 | 164 | 162 | 77 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 22 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 18 | 9 | 12 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Buick LeSabre have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Buick LeSabre?
Body, Seats & Latches: 61 of 164 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Buick LeSabre get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Buick LeSabre?
EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 17 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 21 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 61 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 02V222000 · Aug 14, 2002
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.