2001 Buick LeSabre

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

62/100

Be careful

AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 340 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Buick LeSabre, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Visibility	80	24%
Structure	30	9%
Power train	22	6%
Engine and engine cooling	19	6%
Electrical system	19	6%
Air bags	16	5%
Engine	14	4%
Unknown or other	12	4%
Steering	11	3%
Suspension	8	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

Turned the key in ignition just past click and heard a loud bang in engine under hood. I looked under the car and seen flames. Within 18 minutes the whole car was in totally on fire. The volunteer fire department came an
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

The contact owned a 2001 Buick Lesabre. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator without warning. The contact stated that a black smoke began to emit fro
NHTSA complaint: Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE SAW SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WAS UP IN FLAMES. THERE WAS NO CRASH O
NHTSA complaint: Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HER HUSBAND TURNED THE IGNITION ON, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACTS HUSBAND NOTICED SMOKE WAS CO
NHTSA complaint: Engine

TL* THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS, WHEN HIS FATHER WAS ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE BATTERY WHEN ON THE SECOND ATTE
NHTSA complaint: Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE IGNITED WITHOUT WARNING UNDER THE HOOD AFTER THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COVER FO
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

THE CAR WAS OFF AND PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WHEN THE KEY WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED ON, A LARGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE
NHTSA complaint: Engine

THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 3800 SERIES ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE. FAMILY MEMBER OWNED A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA WITH IDENTICAL ENGINE WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE HE WAS DRIVI
NHTSA complaint: Engine

The seven scores

Reliability raw	62	average
Longevity est.	70	good
Maintenance	75	good
Depreciation	54	average
Performance	59	average
Efficiency	38	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 14% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 19% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 51% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 30% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 62: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 70: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2001 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 75: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2001 Buick LeSabre?

Owners have filed 340 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 80 of them (24%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 2001 Buick LeSabre reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 62/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2001 Buick LeSabre last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2001 Buick LeSabre?

AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.