Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 50 | 31% |
| Structure | 16 | 10% |
| Air bags | 7 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 4% |
| Tires | 6 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 2% |
| Power train | 4 | 2% |
| Seats | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The backup camera will stay in 'night' brightness mode for 15 seconds while backing out of the garage into daylight. This makes the video screen usless until the 15 second delay is over. I have asked several times at t
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Car has hard shift's that get worse when the car is up to temperature. Fuel gauge show's false reading. Two window regulators failed.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
fuel vapor system leaks gas fumes into car. Replaced all fuel lines, pulled tank, renewed canister. 10 months later fumes are again entering car cabin. 105,000 total miles.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Drove to the store, transmission was hard shifting and then wouldn't hardly move at all. Almost got hit three x!! Very tramatized. How is it that on just one of many web pages 400 people had this problem 140 complained a
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2004 Buick LeSabre. The contact stated while driving 35 mph and depressing on the brake pedal, the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle gradually decreased in speed to a stop. There w
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I CONTINUE SMELLING AN OIL-BURNING SMELL AND MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL CONTINUE TO GO OUT AND I HAVE REPLACED TO BLUB OVER AND OVER
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHEN FIRST STARTING UP CAR AND THEN PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, EITHER IN REVERSE OR FORWARD, THERE IS A SURGE, LIKE THE CABLE IS STICKING. NOT SURE WHY, MAYBE DUE FROM AGE OF CAR OR AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL ISSUE. THE CAR HAS
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 50 of them (31%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) 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.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
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 65/100. 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.