Buick Lesabre transmission failure problems

Filed May 4, 2011 · Electrical · 83,000 miles · NY · crash

1998 buick lesabre crashed at low speed causing property damage, engine cut out while driving at low speed. Car was declared a total loss, leaving me with bills of over $10,000 for lost car, repairs, insurance. Problem had arisen on and off since acquiring car at 65,000 miles..twice taken in to gm dealership for this problem. Could not find anything wrong. Problem would disappear for months and then reappear. Numerous mechanics checked and could not find source of problem. After car was declared a total, news story ran about toyota cars stalling out due to defective engine control modules (the federal safety agency report #pe09054). The defective part was made by delphi..which was owned by general motors..makers of the buick lesabre. I contacted gm headquarters to ask if the control module in my part was made by gm/delphi. They refused to answer me, saying that as no recall had been issued and my car was gone,they could do nothing for me. Meanwhile, it turns out that gm did own delphi in 1998, did manufacture those modules, which had to have been in the buick lesabres,and were years later causing identical engine failures in toyotas. Those parts are out there today, waiting for something horrible to happen. Among the 12 summaries you have on your site for electrical problems with buick lesabres, one is even worse than mine "report #9001048 "complete electrical failure on a major highway with a tragedy barely avoided, transmission failure". When I purchased the car at 65,000 miles it had a serious transmission problem as well, which was found and fixed. The electrical problem persisted until the engine cut out while driving at low speed in the middle of the afternoon, on a busy local road. When the engine failed, the brakes failed. I could not stop the car. Quick thinking put me up against a telephone pole so no lives were lost. Many of your other complaints mention complete electrical failure with this car. Investigation anyone?

Filed Dec 24, 2009 · Transmission · MO

I was driving back home from a friends house and had the car parked in my drive way and it was left running and it was in park then I went out to leave and the car was running for about 3 min sitting there and I put it into reverse and it would not move no matter what so I tried all the gears it wouldn't work so I shut off the car let it sit for about 5 min and started it up then put it into reverse again and it did then I drove about 50-100 ft and it felt like it was slipping and then just the other day I went out to start it and it was still in park and it sounds like a powersteering pump with no fluid and it sounds like a big nest of bees and I checked the fluid level and the fluid was burnt and there was debris in the fluid so the car don't work. So my family had to go buy a new car when we are broke and now I have no way to get to work. There was nothing done to resolve the failure yet im going to go buy a new transmission.

Filed Jan 14, 2009 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · MI

While driving on i95 in georgia on the way to florida 12-28-08 my 2003 buick lesabre transmission started bucking and jolting car as it shifted. Took to garage and it was determined that the torque converter locked up, this car had the transmission oil replaced at recommended 50,000 miles, besides the 2200 dollars to replace transmission we had to get hotel room, meals and a rental car to continue trip as the replacement transmission could not be delivered right away.

Filed Feb 12, 2008 · Transmission · 47,692 miles · NY

This incident is regarding a sudden transmission failure on a 2003 buick lesabre, purchased in may of 2003. In january of 2008, with 47,692 miles on the car, the transmission suddenly failed while the vehicle was in use. There was no warning before the incident - the vehicle lurched, bucked, rapidly picked up speed and rapidly lost speed without warning. This situation was incredibly dangerous to both myself, passengers and other motorists. My remedy was to immediately pull over and turn off the engine. The service manager at the vehicle repair center explained that this is a common problem with post-1997 buicks, in which there is a typically faulty transmission. He cited that he may see close to 100 similar cases per year. In fact, while I was discussing my car with him another post-1997 buick came in with the same problem. It seems that a chronic manufacturer's defect exists that affects the safety of the vehicle, and it has not been addressed by the manufacturer with a product recall or warranty concession for people who have experienced transmission failure.

Filed Sep 10, 2007 · Electrical, Fuel system · 85,600 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the vehicle vibrated and made a clunking noise when the gears were shifted. He suspected transmission failure and planned to take the vehicle to a dealer. He also stated that the fuel system gauge displayed the incorrect amount of fuel in the tank and the horn failed to sound when pressed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The speed was unknown. The failure mileage was 85,600 and current mileage was 98,145.

Filed Apr 30, 2006 · Electrical, Lights · 60,000 miles · MO

Automatic transmission failed at 65000 miles after having already been repaired once. Initially extended warranty company tried to blame me for the failure but after dealer disassembled transmission for inspection it was covered. Also, have had numerous problems with lights on the dashboard, radio and steering wheel constantly failing, 2 windows have failed in the open position, the drivers side heated seat stopped working at 50,000 miles. The only thing that has not been fixed is the heated seat. Dealer says it costs too much to fix. I bought the best extended warranty the dealer offered and still have to fight to get things fixed. This is the last time I buy american.

Filed Mar 27, 2006 · Transmission · 39,559 miles · WI

2001 lesabre transmission failed while driving 65 MPH. *ts ***nar***

Filed Jul 14, 2005 · Transmission · 22,900 miles · MD

(1) started as intermittent problem when engine was cold and car was stationary - stepping on accelerator resulted in no motion followed by car lurching/jerking into first gear; the problem became more repeatable over a three year time period; just prior to failure, the car would shake and make noise when accelerating from a stop and when coming to a stop; at failure, the car would not move (forward or in reverse) (2) complete failure of automatic transmission - surprising because auto only had 22,300 miles on it when the transmission failed (3) replaced transmission

Filed Mar 5, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 45,658 miles · WI

We own a 2000 buick lesabre. It was given to us by my father in-law who purchased it brand new in 2000. Both of us have always had the car serviced at buick dealerships for all maintenance including oil changes. We have had several electrical failures, fuel injector problems and now the transmission went out with only 45,000 miles. My husband was driving to the office and the car all of a sudden slowed down and then came to a stop. He described it as someone shifting the car to first gear from fourth. However, the car is an automatic. Luckily, there was no one immediately behind him so he didn't get hit.

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Transmission · 81,000 miles · NY

Transmission failure, causing hard shifts and shuddering when driving. Gm has a tsb out for this sympton but denies any problem with the transmission. Dealership tech confirmed with diagnostic test and refered to bullitin #00-07-30-002b pressure control solenoid valve assembly. Gm refuses to pay for even a portion of the repairs inspite of their tsb indicating a problem with this perticular make and model. The vehicle was purchased used from my father inlaw with 81k miles on it. 12/26/04 and was very well maintained. Iif they issue a tsb for this specific problem, they should take some responsibility iin corrective repairs as laid out in their own tsb. Gm refuses to own up to this problem.