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2002 Buick Lesabre transmission problems

13 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 51,748.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
51,748
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    8
  • Driveline
    1
  • Automatic transmission: torque converter
    1
  • Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Buick Lesabre transmission problems in other years

1990199520002005

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2002 Buick Lesabre owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 27, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 100,000 miles · IL

The frame of my car fell out while I was driving on a high way after I had already reported the problem and had been denied services to get it fixed.

Filed Sep 16, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · NJ

Transmission shift sol and pressure sensors are melting on valve body tranny heat is fring the connectors and damaging the tranny . U can smell the plastic burnigburning

Filed Aug 10, 2008 · Transmission · 79,324 miles · TX

When we first bought my buick back in 2002 we have had tranny problems with noises and hesitation. We took it back to the dealership and they replaced the valvebody. That didn't help the noise but it helped the hesitation. The noise is a whining noise in first and second gear but when you get in third it goes away. That is due to a bad sun gear. Which ultimately LED to the destruction of my transmission. We tried to get the dealership to help us but they just said it was due to normal wear and tear (typical dealer doesn't want to take responsibility). After $3200 and 4 days we had a new tranny. I drove it for 3 days and the whining noise came back. I am going to take it back and tell the to fix it because I don't feel like paying $3200 for another tranny.

Filed Jan 17, 2007 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · WI

Tl* -the contact stated that while driving his 2002 buick le sabre (failure mileage: 60000) at 25 MPH the vehicle began to hesitate. When applying the accelerator the vehicle hesitates and didn't seem to increase speed. *jb updated 02/16/07.

Filed Jun 14, 2006 · Electrical, Transmission · 51,748 miles · NJ

Dt*: the contact stated a whining noise was heard after the accelerator pedal was released and repressed. The dealership has been alerted. A representative from gm drove the vehicle on two separate occasions. The first time was may 2005 however the problem could not be duplicated. The vehicle was driven again june 14, 2006. The representative heard the noise however stated it was too faint. They will not correct the problem or make any repairs until the noise gets louder. The dealership and representative both believe the noise is coming from the automatic transmission. The contact is concerned a failure could occur as a result of the noise. 08/02/06 contacted requested that the serpentine belt be replaced; at times trac-off light comes on; and the gas cap loose light comes on. No codes found.

Filed Mar 10, 2006 · Transmission · FL

My 2002 buick lesabre is in the shop at this moment getting a very expensive repair due to the failure of the intake system due to the use of the recommended fluids. An internet search showed me that there have been thousands of these complaints and buick refuse to do anything about it. What can I do, what have you done, and why hasn't a class action suit been started to rectify this abominable situation? Thank you. Dr. Gerald m. Levitt.

Filed Mar 8, 2005 · Seats, Suspension · 300 miles · PA

2002 buick lesabre. Vin [xxx]. Vibration in steering wheel, floor, and hard surfaces of interior, at speeds starting at 60 MPH. The tires have been replaced twice. Redesigned upper control were installed. None of these have corrected the problem. On 7/25/2003 the buick service conducted a roar test with an electronic vibration analyzer and found readings of 02 to 03 hertz. The "standard" should be below 07. Why would they do all the previous work if they could of done this test earlier and saved a lot of money. I believe they made this standard to avoid fixing the problem. I found 4 buick tsb's ( #00310007a, 10/01/01,#000310007b, 06/01/02, #000310007c, 08/01/02,and #000310007d, 03/01/03) tat refer to a vibration problem. I have contacted buick by letter and telephone ( service request #1-238363526, august, 2004). I filed a complaint (and lost) with the bbb [xxx]. I feel that buick has stonewalled me by refusing to provide me with the "luxury" car I paid for.*ak there is a thump/popping sound felt in the left front and right front seat at shoulder height as if shifts forward when coming to a stop. Dealership tried to lube but no change. Replaced bearing mount shield strut and seat to eliminate noise. Passenger side seat back support pushes into lower back of passenger when coming to a stop. Passenger seat back horizontal support replaced. *tt updated 07/24/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Sep 29, 2004 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · TX

While driving my daughter to a school event on a busy highway, my 2002 buick le sabre's speed started slowing down. Pressing the gas pedal did not speed up the car. Realizing that something was not right, I panicked but was able to steer the car through traffic and finally stall at an exit ramp. I tried to restart the car again but it did not want to start. My first thought was that the car was out of gas even though the fuel gage showed the car did have gas. Thinking that the problem was still a gas issue, I called a friend to bring some gas. After a 45 minute wait I poured two gallons into the fuel tank. At this time I restarted the car but when trying to shift, the shifter felt very loose and was not catching any gears. The shifter would just fall through. After trying two more times the car still failed to move in either direction. I had no choice but to have the car towed to a local transmission shop. At the repair shop, I was told that the transmission had an internal mechanical failure. I mentioned to the shop mechanic that there was never any type of indication that something was wrong with the transmission. Everything car was working fine before the transmission failed. *ak I am very concerned about the transmission failure because it occurred on a busy highway and I strongly believe that it could have turned into a life and death issue. In researching this type of transmission model #4t65e for my lesabre, I noticed numerous mechanical failure complaints for the same type of transmission and that many failures have occurred before the car is three years old. Even the shop technician was surprised to hear that the transmission failed on a fairly new two year old car. The car has only 50000 miles on it.*ak I strongly suggest that there be a recall for this type of transmission failure before a serious injury or death occurs. I do not want my family to become a statistic. Please let me know soon as to what needs to be done to remedy my situation.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · MI

While driving, the consumer noticed the vehicle would not gain any speed when the accelerator was applied. The vehicle would jerk into gear or perform erratically. Please provide details.

Filed Oct 21, 2003 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · VA

Whatever illuminates the gearshift position is sometimes too dull to make out the letters. This is a potential safety problem. I have contacted the manufacturer, but they refer me to the dealer. The dealer has been unable to identify the problem.

Questions about the 2002 Buick Lesabre transmission

Does the 2002 Buick Lesabre have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the transmission of the 2002 Buick Lesabre, 4% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2002 Buick Lesabre transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 51,748 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Buick Lesabre transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Buick Lesabre have bad transmission?

The Buick Lesabre model years with the most transmission complaints are 1993 (33 complaints), 1997 (33 complaints) and 2001 (31 complaints).

Other 2002 Buick Lesabre problems

Visibility 118Body 51Airbags 37Engine 34Electrical 24Brakes 18Steering 13Fuel system 11Tires 9Acceleration 8Seats 6Suspension 6Lights 5Wheels 5Seat belts 2Driver assistance 1

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