General Motors produced the Buick LeSabre from 1959-2005. It was their mid-level full-size sedan for most of that reign and found popularity among middle-class families. It was discontinued in 2005 and replaced by the Buick Lucerne. It was the best-selling full-size sedan at the time of its retirement, a title it claimed the previous ten years.
Even though Buick produced the LeSabre nameplate for 46 years, we only rank the 2001-2005 model years. Our FIXD Sensors are used in OBDII ports, which vehicles acquired beginning in 1996.
Additionally, we only have adequate data to rank these five model years. We put the main points in the table below, followed by an explanation of our graphs and approach to ranking the best and worst years of the Buick LeSabre.
Buick LeSabre Engine Reliability Score, Safety Ratings, MPG, and Value v.s. Maintenance & Repair Costs – Year by Year
Below, we review the chart displaying the FIXD Reliability Score and Owner Reliability Score of the Buick LeSabre.The sedan’s reliability is our first criterion in ranking the best and worst years of the Buick LeSabre.
We use data from FIXD devices installed in Buick LeSabre sedans to create an objective score and graph it as the FIXD Reliability Score. Owner’s survey responses make an accurate score graphed as the Owner Reliability Score.
The first year of a generation typically receives a lower reliability score than the following years. This is because new advancements create new issues that need correcting after their introduction. We are only reviewing the final four years of the 8th generation in the Buick LeSabre, so this trend isn’t evident in the graphs.
After we study the reliability of a car, we look at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data to acquire the safety ratings of the Buick LeSabre. We graph the safety ratings and the average safety rating of the automotive industry. Afterward, we graph the average miles per gallon of the Buick LeSabre from fueleconomy.gov. Finally, we use data from our owner surveys to get each year’s average market value from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) and the annual cost of maintenance and repairs.
After reviewing these main points, we review the most common diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) and the number of safety recalls in each LeSabre.
While the LeSabre is one of the most popular large sedans of its era, there are other vehicles worth considering. The Toyota Avalon and the Chevrolet Impala are full-size sedans offering comfort and performance.
If you’re in the market for a car, take a look at our article on the USA’s most reliable and cheapest to repair cars in the U.S. Don’t get stuck with a lemon, use our data to help you shop.
Engine Reliability Score – Over The Years
We rank the Buick LeSabre based on reliability. We’ve devised two unique scores using our exclusive data, making it easy to compare. Both scores use the same scale: 1 is the worst, 5 is the average, and 10 is the best rating.
The first score is the FIXD Reliability Score, represented by the green line on the graph. We calculated this score by tracking the number of check engine lights (CEL) reported by our app users and dividing it by the number of cars. We then weighted the score based on the average mileage for that specific model year submitted by owners.
While we look over the most common DTCs in each year of the Buick LeSabre, you might be interested in the top five Buick LeSabre check engine lights (CEL).
The second score, the Owner Reliability Score (gray line), comes from surveys taken by Buick LeSabre owners. These surveys capture their firsthand experience and provide subjective opinions on reliability. We translated these responses into numerical scores. For more details on the question asked and our methodology for determining this score, please refer to the note about data and information section located at the bottom of this article.
Older model years are typically less reliable than newer ones. However, we only rank the last five years of the Buick LeSabre. The latest years of the LeSabre are almost twenty years old, so we are not surprised by the less-than-average reliability scores.
Owner Reliability Scores are higher in every year of the Buick LeSabre. A car’s reliability is often worse than an owner might want to believe. We hypothesize that owners of older models slowly become accepting of higher-than-average check engine lights being thrown because they have owned the car for a long time. They are either a frog in a pot of boiling water, not realizing the car is deteriorating slowly and getting worse. OR they simply haven’t compared the reliability of their older model to the often newer and more reliable models of today.
Loyalty to an older vehicle may also affect the Owner’s Reliability Scores. If a car has lasted 20 years, it would be immensely reliable in the owner’s eyes, even if it had to have repairs and triggered many CELs along the way.
NHTSA Safety Score – Over The Years
The Buick LeSabre’s NHTSA safety rating is graphed as a green line, while the average safety rating of the automotive industry is graphed as a gray line.
The Buick LeSabre is above average in all five years and is highly consistent between 4.25 and 4.4 out of 5 stars.
The Buick LeSabre’s safety rating is comparable to the Toyota Avalon’s, a car known for advancements in safety and reliability, which scored 4.25-4.8 out of five stars in 2001-2005.
Good safety ratings can help you get cheaper car insurance. If you live in one of the states listed below, we can show you the cheapest vehicles to insure in yours.
| What Used Cars Are the Cheapest To Insure In: |
| Ohio |
| North Carolina |
| Michigan |
| Georgia |
| Texas |
| New York |
| Illinois |
| Pennsylvania |
| California |
MPG – Over The Years
The Buick LeSabre’s average miles per gallon, according to fueleconomy.gov, is graphed above. The miles per gallon is consistent at 20-21 miles per gallon. While this isn’t overly impressive compared to a Toyota Corolla during the same years (28-30 mpg), it is comparable to other full-size sedans such as the same model year Chevrolet Impala (21 mpg).
Current Market Value of All Buick LeSabre Years & Cost Per Year to Repair and Maintain Each
The average market value of the Buick LeSabre, according to KBB.com, is graphed with a green line. The annual cost of repair and maintenance is a gray line. We used information from owner surveys to acquire each data set.
It is expected that market value will increase with newer model years. This is a common trend, as newer years usually have fewer miles than older ones. This holds in the Buick LeSabre, except for the 2003 LeSabre, valued at $1,552. The 2003 LeSabre’s value is less than the 2002 LeSabre, which has an average market value of $1,920. The difference is due to the higher average mileage in the 2003 Buick LeSabre (205,000 miles) than the 2002 LeSabre (137,500 miles).
The average annual repair cost of all Buick LeSabre’s is only $617, a seemingly reasonable price for a vehicle 20+ years old. The highest annual repair cost is $667 for the 2005 LeSabre, and the lowest is $350 for the 2002 model year.
When shopping for a used Buick LeSabre, it’s important to keep in mind that not all vehicles are cared for equally. To protect yourself from lemons, take along a FIXD Sensor on your test drive. FIXD connects to a free app on your smartphone to tell you more about the vehicle you’re checking out, including check engine lights and other hidden issues that the owner or dealership may be attempting to hide. Click here to learn more and get FIXD for only $19.99 (regular price $59)!
Important Features Timeline
1996: Series II engine becomes standard on all trim levels
1997: Redesigned styling for both interior and exterior, upgraded side-impact safety.
1998: Cruise control is standard
1999: Emissions improvements and two additional exterior paint choices
2000: Complete redesign for eighth generations, all-around improvements, including side airbags and integrated seatbelts
2001: Dual-stage airbags and OnStar standard, oil change interval increased to 10,000 miles
2002: New radios, LATCH system for car seats installed, and standard 16-inch wheels
2003: LeSabre Limited Celebration Edition was released to celebrate ten years as the best-selling full-size car in America.
2004: Gains rain-sensing wipers, relatively unchanged from the previous year
2005: The last year of the LeSabre becomes the Lucerne for the 2006 model
The Best Years of the Buick LeSabre
We list the good years of the Buick LeSabre from best to worst. We first considered the FIXD Reliability Score, then the Owner Reliability Score, followed by safety ratings and annual repair costs. Lastly, we review the most common DTCs and the number of safety recalls in each model year.
While OBDII sensors were installed in cars in 1996, we only received enough data to rank the 2001-2005 Buick LeSabres fairly.
2003 Buick LeSabre
FIXD Reliability Score: 4/10
Owner Reliability Score: 5/10
KBB Value: $1,552
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
Annual Maintenance/Repair: $550
Safety Rating: 4.4/5
The 2003 Buick LeSabre is the best year for the sedan due to its high FIXD Reliability Score, average Owner Reliability Score, and good safety rating. The 2003 LeSabre offered a new Celebration Edition after being dubbed the highest-selling full-size sedan for ten years.
The 2003 LeSabre sports the highest FIXD Reliability Score at 4/10, with an average 5/10 Owner Reliability Score.
The safety rating of the 2003 model year is a LeSabre best of 4.4/5 stars. This is much better than the 2003 Cadillac DeVille, a full-size sedan with a rating of only 3.4/5 stars.
Owners spend an average of $550 annually on repairs for the 2003 Buick LeSabre, a great stat for a twenty-year-old car. The average mileage of this model year is 205,000, which means it can endure some wear and tear.
The 2003 Buick LeSabre most commonly triggers DTC P0420, a code indicating a bad catalytic converter ($1,538-$2,041). The second most frequent code is P0446, “Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit Malfunction.” Owners replace the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor to appease the CEL. P0440, Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction, is the third most common DTC in the 2003 LeSabre. The most common repairs are:
- Gas Cap ($20-$60)
- EVAP Line ($20-$100)
- EVAP Vent Control Valve ($150-$200)
- Purge Volume Control Valve ($150-$200).
The 2003 Buick LeSabre has one recall for an airbag inflator. It also has 165 complaints.
2005 Buick LeSabre
FIXD Reliability Score: 3/10
Owner Reliability Score: 7/10
KBB Value: $2,786
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
Annual Maintenance/Repair: $667
Safety Rating: 4.4/5
The next best year of the Buick LeSabre is the 2005 model. It is the last year of this sedan, and it continued its streak of being the best-selling full-size car in America. It is one of the best years of the LeSabre due to its reliability and safety rating.
The FIXD Reliability Score in the 2005 LeSabre isn’t great, but it is still the second best amongst the years of this car. The Owner Reliability Score is a more impressive 7/10, a testament to the popularity and owner sentiment toward this long-running sedan.
The NHTSA safety rating is 4.4/5, above the industry average and equal to the 2005 Chevrolet Impala.
2005 LeSabre owners spend an average of $667 annually on repairs and maintenance. While this is the highest on our list of best and worst, it is still reasonable for an eighteen-year-old car. The average cost of repairs and maintenance for all LeSabres is $617, only fifty dollars less.
DTC P0455 is the most common in the 2005 LeSabre. P0455 means “System Gross Leak Evaporative System Malfunction” and is often associated with a loose gas cap. Other potential issues include:
- Gas Cap ($20-$60)
- EVAP Line ($20-$100)
- EVAP Vent Control Valve ($150-$200)
- Purge Volume Control Valve ($150-$200).
Second place is P0420, Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (Bank 1). The most common repair related to the check engine light caused by P0420 is replacing a bad catalytic converter ($1,538-$2,041). Lastly, P0128 is a frequent code in 2005 model years, which means “Coolant Thermostat Temperature Below Regulating Temperature” and is commonly caused by a faulty engine coolant thermostat ($220-$260).
The 2005 Buck LeSabre has no recalls and only 76 complaints.
The Worst Years of the Buick LeSabre
The same previous criteria were assessed when listing the worst years of the Buick LeSabre from worst to “best of the worst.” These LeSabres have lower reliability and more issues than the best years of the Buick LeSabre.
2001-2002 Buick LeSabre
FIXD Reliability Score: 1/10
Owner Reliability Score: 7/10
KBB Value: $1,384-$1,920
Fuel Economy: 20-21 mpg
Annual Maintenance/Repair: $350-$528
Safety Rating: 4.25/5
The 2001-2002 Buick LeSabre followed a complete redesign in 2000 to start the eighth generation LeSabre. While safety enhancements were added in both years, they still score as the worst Buick LeSabres due to low reliability and safety ratings.
The FIXD Reliability Score of the 2001-2002 Buick LeSabre is 1/10, the lowest score receivable. The Owner Reliability Score is 7/10.
The safety rating is still above the industry average but the lowest reported on our lists of Buick LeSabres. At 4.25/5 stars, it is comparable to the Toyota Avalon, which received a 4.25/5 in 2001 and a 4.2/5 in 2002.
While we listed the 2001-2002 model as the worst LeSabre, the average annual maintenance cost is the best. At $528 in 2001 and only $350 in 2002, the cost owners spend annually on repairs for this sedan is much lower than average.
The most common code in the 2001 and 2002 LeSabre is P0440, Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction. There are many potential repairs to fix code P0440:
- Gas Cap ($20-$60)
- EVAP Line ($20-$100)
- EVAP Vent Control Valve ($150-$200)
- Purge Volume Control Valve ($150-$200)
The next most common in the 2001 LeSabre is P0300, which means there are random multiple misfires. The most common repairs for this code are spark plugs ($66-$250) or ignition coils ($230-$640).
Following up with the 2002 Buick LeSabre, the second most common DTC is P0446, which means “Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit Malfunction.” While a common fix is the FTP sensor ($67-$167), other possible fixes include:
- Gas Cap ($20-$60)
- EVAP Line ($20-$100)
- EVAP Vent Control Valve ($150-$200)
- Purge Volume Control Valve ($150-$200).
The third most common in the 2002 model year is P0449. P0449, Evaporative System (EVAP) Vent Circuit Control Malfunction, is potentially caused and repaired by:
- Gas Cap ($20-$60)
- EVAP Line ($20-$100)
- EVAP Vent Control Valve ($150-$200)
- Purge Volume Control Valve ($150-$200).
The 2001 Buick LeSabre has no recalls, but it does have one investigation and 340 complaints. The 2002 LeSabre gains two recalls concerning an airbag inflator and steering gear bolts. It also has one investigation and 321 complaints.
2004 Buick LeSabre
FIXD Reliability Score: 1/10
Owner Reliability Score: 8/10
KBB Value: $2,890
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg
Annual Maintenance/Repair: $438
Safety Rating: 4.4/5
The best of the worst Buick LeSabre’s is the 2004 model year. It is on the worst side due to its low FIXD Reliability, but the great owner reliability score and repair costs make it one of the best “worst” vehicles ever.
The 2004 LeSabre has a 1/10 FIXD Reliability Score and an impressive 8/19 Owner Reliability Score.
The safety rating of 4.4/5 equals every other Buick LeSabre besides the 2001-2002 years.
The average annual repair cost is also less than average, at only $438 yearly. However, there is an 83% chance of a repair over $500 in the 2004 LeSabre.
The most common DTC, P0455, is caused by a loose gas cap and costs nothing to tighten. The second most common, P0420, usually requires a catalytic converter repair ($1,538-$2,041) but could be caused by other items such as:
- .Air fuel sensor ($200-$300)
- Oxygen sensor replacement ($275-$500)
- A leak in the exhaust ($100-$200) (if welded to repair).
Third place DTC is P0128, Coolant Thermostat Temperature Below Regulating Temperature. It is commonly caused in the LeSabre by a stuck engine coolant thermostat ($20-$260) but may also be caused by a coolant temperature sensor ($150-$220) or low coolant ($10).
The 2004 Buick LeSabre has only 161 complaints, with no recalls or investigations.
FAQs
What years of the Buick LeSabre have engine and/or transmission problems?
There are no years of the Buick LeSabre that report engine or transmission recalls or an overwhelming number of complaints for either system. However, our data shows the 2003-2005 LeSabres frequently deal with codes related to the catalytic converter, a significant repair on the engine. The 2004-2005 LeSabres also commonly trigger DTCs coping with the engine coolant thermostat, another annoying engine repair.
Additionally, owner surveys indicate that while only 57% of 2001 LeSabre owners dealt with an engine repair over $500, a staggering 42.86% of those repairs were engine-related.
What is considered high mileage for a Buick LeSabre?
According to our collected data, high mileage for a Buick LeSabre is anything over 206,966 miles. The highest mileage reported in a LeSabre is 205,000 in the 2003 model year, while the lowest is 103,571 in the 2004 LeSabre. The average is 156,966 miles.
A 5-year-old car with 120,000 miles would be thought to have high mileage, while a 10-year-old car with the exact miles would not. This is because age is also weighed when considering high mileage in a vehicle.
What other vehicles should I consider?
When shopping for a used Buick LeSabre, several full-size sedans are worth considering as alternatives. First, the Toyota Avalon offers a comfortable ride, a spacious interior, and a strong reputation for reliability. Another option is the Chevrolet Impala, known for its roomy interior, decent fuel efficiency, and affordability.
For those looking for a more traditional and durable choice, the Ford Crown Victoria or its Mercury counterpart, the Grand Marquis, are reliable options with straightforward designs. If you prefer a more modern take on full-size sedans, consider the Chrysler 300, which features a bold, upscale design and offers V8 power. Finally, the Cadillac DeVille is a full-size sedan that offers comfort and performance with a focus on luxury.
What owners of the Buick LeSabre like to use their car for:
Owner surveys show that 64% primarily use their Buick LeSabre as a family vehicle. 22% of owners use it for lots of driving, and 8% for luxurious driving. A brave 4% use their LeSabre for outdoor/off-road driving and another 2% for hauling/towing. 0% of owners use their car for sport/fast driving or as an office on wheels.
| Frequent Use Categories: | How Useful? (Out of 5 Stars) |
| Family Vehicle | ***** |
| Lots of Driving (travel/long commute) | *** |
| Hauling/Towing | * |
| Office on Wheels | * |
| Sport/Fast Driving | * |
| Luxurious Driving | * |
| Outdoor/Off-Road | * |
A Note About Data and Information Sources
This article has many details about Buick LeSabre reliability; here’s what we used for our assumptions and recommendations.
- FIXD Reliability Score & Data: Engine reliability information is captured via the FIXD App.
The FIXD Reliability Score is calculated using the number of DTCs per year, weighted by mileage. This is then turned into a scale of 1-10 for easy graphing.
This is an objective score.
- Owner Reliability Score & Data: This data is the result of surveying Buick LeSabre owners who use FIXD.
The Owner Reliability Score comes straight from owners of the Buick LeSabre.
This is a subjective score.
To determine the Owner Reliability Score we ask each car owner:
How reliable would you say your Buick LeSabre is?
a. Just point A to point B driving
b. A Daily Commuter
c. Good for a 100 mile road trip
d. Good for a 500 mile road trip
e. I could take a cross-country road trip, no problem
From here we translate their answers into the Owner Reliability Score:
a. = 2
b. = 4
c. = 6
d. = 8
e. = 10
Keep in mind, owners may think their car is more or less reliable than it actually is.
One potential problem is that people often buy the same make or model they are used to when they go car shopping, just a newer year.
Ford, for instance, has a number of consumer loyalty awards for the Ford F-Series, Ford Mustang, and Ford Expedition.
Car owners may be so loyal to the make or model they currently own that they would have trouble accurately comparing their cars’ reliability to others.
It’s for this reason that we ask car owners a question that is relative to mileage rather than relative to other cars.
Still, be mindful of the accuracy of these Owner Reliability Scores, people’s perceptions and unconscious blindspots can skew data.
We suggest looking at both the FIXD Reliability Score and the Owner Reliability Score for this reason.
- KBB Value: Average private-seller valuations as supplied by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), based on a Buick LeSabre with typical mileage for that respective model year.
- Fuel Economy: Mileage-per-gallon estimates according to the EPA MPG on Fueleconomy.gov
- Annual Maintenance/Repair: Upkeep expenses as reported by surveyed Buick LeSabre owners
- Safety Rating: Crash test data collected and reported by NHTSA. We average all ratings for each year to come up with a simplified, average safety score. This makes it easier to look at on a graph.
References
- Buick LeSabre model-specific information, edmunds.com (various dates). Retrieved September 20, 2023, from https://www.edmunds.com/
- Model-specific recall information as per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Keith Rollins is a copywriter and author that has been involved in the automotive industry for over 12 years. He has written for hotcars.com and is featured on Copywriting.org. When he’s not writing he’s spending time with his three kids, hiking, working on cars, or running. You can see his work at keithrrollins.com.
