2003 Buick Lesabre power train problems
18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2003 Buick Lesabre — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The transmission doesn't shift correctly even after it's warmed up it is erratic and rough while connecting the transmission gears and jerks very hard at most times. The power steering is not working correctly and makes it difficult to drive at all with the combined issues I'm very concerned about…”
filed May 19, 2025
“When the vehicle gets warmer during transit, the transmission begins to slip. It gets worse and the duration of the slip begins to. Last longer.”
filed Jan 6, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This…
24-NA-141 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 24, 2024
Power Train problems in other Lesabre years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Lesabre | 8 | 10% |
| 2004 Lesabre | 12 | 7% |
| 2002 Lesabre | 13 | 4% |
| 2001 Lesabre | 31 | 9% |
| 2000 Lesabre | 24 | 4% |
| 1999 Lesabre | 15 | 7% |
| 1998 Lesabre | 20 | 5% |
| 1997 Lesabre | 33 | 8% |
| 1996 Lesabre | 6 | 6% |
| 1995 Lesabre | 8 | 4% |
| 1994 Lesabre | 4 | 3% |
| 1993 Lesabre | 33 | 17% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Buick Lesabre
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.