U.S. public vehicle records

Buick BUICK problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

87 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

64,300 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1966 to 2003 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 26 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 87 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	12	13.8%
Steering behavior	7	8.0%
Electrical and battery issues	5	5.7%
Transmission and shifting	4	4.6%
Engine operation	2	2.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Electrical System

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Steering:Rack And Pinion

Vehicle Speed Control

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	15
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	6
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	4
Electrical System	3
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	3
Steering:Rack And Pinion	3
Vehicle Speed Control	3

Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 61 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

1995: 5; 1996: 3; 1997: 3; 1998: 5; 1999: 8; 2000: 6; 2001: 6; 2002: 8; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 14; 2006: 2; 2007: 17; 2008: 1; 2009: 1

Pattern summary

Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 514043 · 1997-01-30 (January 30, 1997)

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 514043 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 482361 · 1995-03-16 (March 16, 1995)

REAR BRAKE CALIPERS LEAKING/FAILED, CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKES. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482361 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 756391 · 2002-01-04 (January 4, 2002)

I TRIED TO SEND THIS YESTERDAY BUT WAS KICKED OUT BEFORE CONFIRMING. I HAD A COMPLETE RACK AND PINION FAILURE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARING OF ANY PROBLEMS. I SENT A DRAFT OF THE LETTER I SENT TO GENERAL MOTORS TO THE WEBB MASTER YESTERDAY. I DON'T KNOW WHERE MY PAPERS ARE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SINCE GENERAL MOTORS WAS SO INDIGNANT ABOUT MY SAFETY, I FELT I HAD NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES UNTIL I SAW THE ARTICLE IN THE PHILA. INQUIRER YESTERDAY ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH 16 PONTIAC GRAN PRIX IN 1997 WHICH PROBABLY HAD THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT WAS PUT IN MY…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 756391 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 763237 · 2002-06-19 (June 19, 2002)

WHEN COLD, POWER STEERING IS VERY HARD TO TURN. SOMETIMES WILL HARDLY TURN AT ALL, TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS. I AM THE SECOND OWNER, AND HAVE ALL RECORDS FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I KNOW THIS IS AN OLDER CAR, BUT, IT IS IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION. I HAVE READ ELSWHERE THAT THIS IS A RECOGNIZED PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE AT THIS TIME?*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 763237 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10110228 · 2005-02-09 (February 9, 2005)

WE DROVE FROM HOME TO OLATHE, KS AND BACK TO A KOHL'S AT SHAWNEE STATION ON OUR WAY HOME. WE PARKED THE BUICK AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE BUICK IT FAILED TO START. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED TO START THE BUICK. THE BUICK STARTED BUT WHITE SMOKE COME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE AND IT BEGAN TO SHAKE TREMENDOUSLY LIKE WE WERE IN A BIG STORM. WE HAD THE BUICK TOWED TO FIRESTONE AND THEY SAID THE AIR MANIFOLD RINGS LET THE ANTI-FREEZE UP THE MOTOR AND THE SHAKING CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THIS…

Owner-reported narrative. 68,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110228 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10265712 · 2009-04-17 (April 17, 2009)

I HAD BOTH 1999 AND 1998 INTRIGUES, BOTH HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR RUNNING LIGHTS AND BLINKING LIGHTS FAILING. REPLACE FUSES, REBLOW. SENT TO MECHANICS NUMEROUS TIMES, UNABLE TO RESOLVE. HOWEVER, THEY SAID THIS WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE MAKE. MY SUPERVISOR SAID HE NOTICED MANY INTRIGUES ON ROAD WITH PROBLEMS, AND SINCE THEN, I NOTICE MANY INTRIGUES WITH SAME PROBLEM. MAYBE NOT IMMEDIATE DANGER, BUT WHEN BLINKER DOESN'T WORK, IT CREATES A DANGER OF BEING REAR-ENDED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265712 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 707907 · 1999-06-25 (June 25, 1999)

SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 707907 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 605508 · 1997-11-04 (November 4, 1997)

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN ENGAGING INTO REVERSE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 605508 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 762719 · 2002-06-06 (June 6, 2002)

TO START THE ENGINE , AND THE CAR WAS PUSHED INTO ST STALL BY.THE SS TUBE UNDER THE CAR AND THE SS MANIFOLD ON THE MOTOR BLOCK ARE CONNECTED VIE A THIN-WALLED PLASRIC TUBE, WHICH IS HEAT-SHRINKE UNDER THE CAR AND CONNECTED TO THE MANIFOLD BY A FLIMSY PLASTIC CONNECTOR. BOTH CONNECTORS BROKE ( OF COURSE THEY MUST BRAKE EVENTUALLY THRU AGE ETC), AND THE GAS SPILLED ONTO THE HOT MOTOR BLOCK, FORMING A PUDDLE AND VAPORIZING , THUS FORMING AN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE WAITING TO BE IGNITED FROM THE HOT EXHAUST MAMNIFOLD. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-030

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762719 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 752928 · 2001-10-04 (October 4, 2001)

ENGINE STALLED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RE-START. ONCE RESTARTED, IT RAN VERY ROUGH, EMITTED A LOUD TICKING NOISE, AND STALLED OFTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BROKEN VALVE SPRING. ALL OF THIS ON THE 3RD DAY OF OWNERSHIP.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752928 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1988

1989

1990

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Buick BUICK model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1966	1	0	Not available
1967	0	1	+1
1968	0	1	0
1969	0	1	0
1971	1	0	Not available
1978	1	0	Not available
1984	1	0	Not available
1985	1	0	0
1986	2	0	0
1988	4	0	Not available
1989	1	0	0
1990	3	0	0
1992	2	0	Not available
1993	2	0	0
1994	3	0	0
1995	4	0	0
1996	3	0	0
1997	8	0	0
1998	10	0	0
1999	6	0	0
2000	12	0	0
2001	7	0	0
2002	12	0	0
2003	3	0	0

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

87 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

29.9%Usable mileage26 / 87 records

80.5%Valid incident date70 / 87 records

100.0%Valid filing date87 / 87 records

80.5%Ordered incident and filing dates70 / 87 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1989	1990	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	125.0% ODI 544858 THREE DOOR WINDOW REGULATORS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. *YC Look up ODI 544858 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	758.3% ODI 10100825 ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY 2000 LESABRE HAVE GONE OUT---FOR NO APPARENT REASON & NO WARNING. ADDING INSULT TO INJURY, I CANNOT BUY JUST THE BAD PART, BUT I HAVE TO BUY THE MOTOR, TOO! AT APPROXIMATELY $350.00 PER WINDOW.....WELL---IT'S VERY EMBARRASSING. REAR WINDOWS ARE NOW BEING KEPT IN "UP" POSITION WITH SUCTION CUPS & DOOR-STOPS! LOOKS BAD FOR BUICK--QUITE TACKY!YES, I STILL HAVE THE PARTS.....IN THE TRUNK! (ALONG WITH A DOOR PANEL). THE WINDOWS WERE SCRATCHED TRYING TO GET THEM INTO 'UP' POSITION. OTHERWISE THE CAR COULDN'T BE LOCKED &… Look up ODI 10100825 at NHTSA ↗	457.1% ODI 10137622 · 56,343 mi DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BUICK CENTURY. THE POWER WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE WINDOWS TO BE FIXED. AK NM Look up ODI 10137622 at NHTSA ↗	325.0% ODI 10199356 2002 BUICK LESABRE - WINDOW REGULATORS CONSISTENTLY FAIL. *TR Look up ODI 10199356 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 604717 ENGINE: GASKET FAILED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. Look up ODI 604717 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 10110228 · 68,300 mi WE DROVE FROM HOME TO OLATHE, KS AND BACK TO A KOHL'S AT SHAWNEE STATION ON OUR WAY HOME. WE PARKED THE BUICK AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE BUICK IT FAILED TO START. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED TO START THE BUICK. THE BUICK STARTED BUT WHITE SMOKE COME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE AND IT BEGAN TO SHAKE TREMENDOUSLY LIKE WE WERE IN A BIG STORM. WE HAD THE BUICK TOWED TO FIRESTONE AND THEY SAID THE AIR MANIFOLD RINGS LET THE ANTI-FREEZE UP THE MOTOR AND THE SHAKING CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THIS… Look up ODI 10110228 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10189632 · 71,000 mi FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 1999 BUICK CENTURY CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK FROM MANIFOLD, LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO OIL. COST OF REPAIR $1300. 71,000 MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10189632 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 752928 ENGINE STALLED AND WAS DIFFICULT TO RE-START. ONCE RESTARTED, IT RAN VERY ROUGH, EMITTED A LOUD TICKING NOISE, AND STALLED OFTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BROKEN VALVE SPRING. ALL OF THIS ON THE 3RD DAY OF OWNERSHIP. Look up ODI 752928 at NHTSA ↗	266.7% ODI 10106267 WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION OF 1 QUART IN 2000 MILES WAS NORMAL ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR A BUICK LESABRE '03 V6 ENGINE. I THOUGHT IT WAS RIDICULOUS FOR A BRAND NEW CAR! I'D APPRECIATE ANY INFO ON THIS. *NM Look up ODI 10106267 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 605508 TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN ENGAGING INTO REVERSE. Look up ODI 605508 at NHTSA ↗	110.0% ODI 538276 SHIFT LEVER TIGHT. HARD TO GET OF OF PARK. PULL HARDER TO GET PAST LIP AND MOMENTUM CARRIES IT TO DRIVE INSTEAD OF REVERSEL. Look up ODI 538276 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 10193409 · 30,000 mi TRANSMISSION AFTER WARM UP BECOMES ROUGH WHILE SHIFTING THROUGH GEARS. WHINNING SOUND OCCURS AND SHIFTING THROUGH GEARS IS ROUGH. CAN TEMPORARY CORRECT THE CONDITION BY SIMPLY SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE AND RESTARTING, BUT THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAYS....THIS CONDITION STARTED AT 30,000 MILES....BUT AFTER THE 3 YEAR CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK Look up ODI 10193409 at NHTSA ↗	114.3% ODI 10104583 · 69,500 mi I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TRASMISSION ON MY 2001 BUICK REGAL W/ 69500 MILES ON IT. ON 12/25/2004 AFTER ACCELARATING ON AN ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY, MY TRANSMISSION GAVE A CRACKING SOUND. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY WHEN I START ACCELARATING FROM A STANDING POSITION. IT WILL HESITATE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED. NOT A GOOD SIGN FOR A CAR THAT SHOULD STILL BE IN DECENT SHAPE HAVING ONLY THIS AMOUNT OF MILES.*AK Look up ODI 10104583 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 10265712 · 45,000 mi I HAD BOTH 1999 AND 1998 INTRIGUES, BOTH HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR RUNNING LIGHTS AND BLINKING LIGHTS FAILING. REPLACE FUSES, REBLOW. SENT TO MECHANICS NUMEROUS TIMES, UNABLE TO RESOLVE. HOWEVER, THEY SAID THIS WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE MAKE. MY SUPERVISOR SAID HE NOTICED MANY INTRIGUES ON ROAD WITH PROBLEMS, AND SINCE THEN, I NOTICE MANY INTRIGUES WITH SAME PROBLEM. MAYBE NOT IMMEDIATE DANGER, BUT WHEN BLINKER DOESN'T WORK, IT CREATES A DANGER OF BEING REAR-ENDED. *TR Look up ODI 10265712 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 10194879 LAST YEAR AFTER REFUELING THE 03 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IT WOULD NOT CRANK. SINCE THEN, OCCASIONALLY IT HAS DONE THE SAME. RECENTLY, IT WON'T START AT ALL WITHOUT TAKING 30 + MINUTES OF RETRYING AND RETRYING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINES ,AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE PROBLEM. AFTER SPENDING $400 FOR THAT THE CAR IS STILL NOT CRANKING.*AK Look up ODI 10194879 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 607531 ALTERNATOR FAILED. *YC Look up ODI 607531 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	116.7% ODI 854631 WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH A HIGH PITCH WHINNING COULD BE HEARD. THE NOISE WOULD ONLY HAPPEN WHILE UNDER 40MPH. NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A POLICE OR EMERGENCY VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC REPLACED THE GENERATOR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK Look up ODI 854631 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 10208665 BOTH OF THE REGULATORS IN THE FRONT DOORS OF MY VEHICLE HAVE FAILED. THIS HAS CAUSE THE PANE IN THE WINDOW TO SLIDE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THE FIRST ONE DID IT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE VACATIONING IN OHIO IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. THE SECOND WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK ONE MORNING. I CALLED THE BUICK CS LINE TO REPORT IT, BEFORE I KNEW OF OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT IN TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED YET THE ONLY THING I WAS TOLD BY A TECH THERE WAS THAT THEY HAD SEEN THI… Look up ODI 10208665 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 490944 OIL LEAKS ONTO HOT ENGINE. *SD Look up ODI 490944 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 549917 VEHICLE HESITATES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS CONSUMER CONCERNED ABOUT BEING REAR ENDED. NLM Look up ODI 549917 at NHTSA ↗	110.0% ODI 10104908 · 81,563 mi FAULTY DESIGN OF INTAKE MANIFOLD ON GM 3.8L ENGINE USED IN 1998 THRU 2004 ENGINE. PLASTIC HOUSING MELTS ENOUGH AFTER 80,000 TO ALLOW ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER CAUSING ENGINE TO HYDROLOCK WITHOUT WARNING. CAR BECOMES IMMEDIATELY UNDRIVABLE. *JB Look up ODI 10104908 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Steering:Rack And Pinion	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	112.5% ODI 10165163 DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING DID NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE RACK AND PINION THAT WAS NOTED ON RECALL NUMBER 03V527000. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. Look up ODI 10165163 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 549370 VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN COLLISION WITH TWO EMPTY VEHICLES, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMERS. MJS Look up ODI 549370 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	110.0% ODI 539341 CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS. Look up ODI 539341 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	53,507–79,012 mi	64,550 mi	8	ODI 10116413 · 45,000 mi ALL 4 POWER WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED AT DIFFERENT TIMES, LEAVING NO EMERGENCY EXIT-LET ALONE THE INCONVENIECE AT DRIVE-UP WINDOWS. I ALSO FEEL THAT IT IS A RIP-OFF THAT NOT ONLY DO YOU HAVE TO BUY BOTH REGULATOR WITH MOTOR (ALTHOUGH YOU CAN BUY THE MOTOR ALONE), YOU HAVE TO BUY THEM AT THE DEALER. AK Look up ODI 10116413 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10189901 · 73,000 mi 2000 BUICK LESABRE REAR WINDOW FAILURE AND WINDOW WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION, WHICH IS THE LOCATION OF OUR CHILD'S CHILD SEAT AT THE REAR SEAT AREA. THIS IS INDEED A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FAILURES RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM; AS INDICATED BY VARIOUS INTERNET SITES. TR Look up ODI 10189901 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10207589 · 40,000 mi WINDOW REGULATORS CONTINUE TO BREAK. *TR Look up ODI 10207589 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	68,300 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10110228 · 68,300 mi WE DROVE FROM HOME TO OLATHE, KS AND BACK TO A KOHL'S AT SHAWNEE STATION ON OUR WAY HOME. WE PARKED THE BUICK AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE BUICK IT FAILED TO START. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED TO START THE BUICK. THE BUICK STARTED BUT WHITE SMOKE COME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE AND IT BEGAN TO SHAKE TREMENDOUSLY LIKE WE WERE IN A BIG STORM. WE HAD THE BUICK TOWED TO FIRESTONE AND THEY SAID THE AIR MANIFOLD RINGS LET THE ANTI-FREEZE UP THE MOTOR AND THE SHAKING CAUSED OIL TO LEAK. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT THIS… Look up ODI 10110228 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10189632 · 71,000 mi FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET ON 1999 BUICK CENTURY CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK FROM MANIFOLD, LEAKING ANTIFREEZE INTO OIL. COST OF REPAIR $1300. 71,000 MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10189632 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10200700 · 60,050 mi ON 21 AUGUST 2007 MY 2003 BUCK RENDEZVOUS CXL AWD WITH APP 60,050 MILES SUFFERED A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO WHAT MY MECHANIC BELIEVES IS A FAILURE OF THE WRIST PIN IN THE LEFT MOST FRONT CYLINDER. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED FOR RECEIVING REGULARLY SPACED OIL CHANGES. PER MY MECHANIC'S OPINION FAILURE OF THIS PART IS NOT AN INDICATION OF EXCESSIVE WEAR OR TEAR OR LACK OF VEHICLE CARE. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE OF THIS WRIST PIN IS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE. PER MY MECHANIC'S OPINION THERE IS NO WAY TO SALVAGE AN ENGINE… Look up ODI 10200700 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	49,750 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10193409 · 30,000 mi TRANSMISSION AFTER WARM UP BECOMES ROUGH WHILE SHIFTING THROUGH GEARS. WHINNING SOUND OCCURS AND SHIFTING THROUGH GEARS IS ROUGH. CAN TEMPORARY CORRECT THE CONDITION BY SIMPLY SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE AND RESTARTING, BUT THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS ON HIGHWAYS....THIS CONDITION STARTED AT 30,000 MILES....BUT AFTER THE 3 YEAR CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED. AK Look up ODI 10193409 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10104583 · 69,500 mi I WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TRASMISSION ON MY 2001 BUICK REGAL W/ 69500 MILES ON IT. ON 12/25/2004 AFTER ACCELARATING ON AN ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY, MY TRANSMISSION GAVE A CRACKING SOUND. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY WHEN I START ACCELARATING FROM A STANDING POSITION. IT WILL HESITATE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED. NOT A GOOD SIGN FOR A CAR THAT SHOULD STILL BE IN DECENT SHAPE HAVING ONLY THIS AMOUNT OF MILES.AK Look up ODI 10104583 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	45,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10265712 · 45,000 mi I HAD BOTH 1999 AND 1998 INTRIGUES, BOTH HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR RUNNING LIGHTS AND BLINKING LIGHTS FAILING. REPLACE FUSES, REBLOW. SENT TO MECHANICS NUMEROUS TIMES, UNABLE TO RESOLVE. HOWEVER, THEY SAID THIS WAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE MAKE. MY SUPERVISOR SAID HE NOTICED MANY INTRIGUES ON ROAD WITH PROBLEMS, AND SINCE THEN, I NOTICE MANY INTRIGUES WITH SAME PROBLEM. MAYBE NOT IMMEDIATE DANGER, BUT WHEN BLINKER DOESN'T WORK, IT CREATES A DANGER OF BEING REAR-ENDED. *TR Look up ODI 10265712 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	81,563 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10104908 · 81,563 mi FAULTY DESIGN OF INTAKE MANIFOLD ON GM 3.8L ENGINE USED IN 1998 THRU 2004 ENGINE. PLASTIC HOUSING MELTS ENOUGH AFTER 80,000 TO ALLOW ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER CAUSING ENGINE TO HYDROLOCK WITHOUT WARNING. CAR BECOMES IMMEDIATELY UNDRIVABLE. *JB Look up ODI 10104908 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2002: 2 complaints · 2003: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2002	0	1	2
2003	0	0	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2002	9	1	2
2003	3	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Electrical System	Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Steering:Rack And Pinion	Vehicle Speed Control
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Steering:Rack And Pinion	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Vehicle Speed Control	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

7 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

3 mentions · 3.4% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 763237

Look up ODI 763237 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 848477

WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR WHEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, AND CONSUMER WAS HIT IN THE REAR. CALLEDDEALER AND CAR WAS REPAIRED . *AK

Look up ODI 848477 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10165163

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING DID NOT FUNCTION. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE RACK AND PINION THAT WAS NOTED ON RECALL NUMBER 03V527000. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Look up ODI 10165163 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 94,638 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10105600 · 94,638 mi

THE EXPLANATION I RECEIVED FROM BUICK ON MY FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAK RECALL PROBLEM I HAD WITH MY BUICK LESABRE. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF THE CAR BACK FIRING, NOR AN EXPLANATION OF A COINCIDENTAL GASKET LEAK WHICH ALLOWED COOLANT IN THE FUEL, NOR THE REASON FOR THE REST OF THE REPAIRS MADE TO MY CAR, SUCH AS REPLACING FUEL INJECTORS. SPARK PLUGS, ETC. ALL HAD REPAIR WORK. NOR WOULD HE ADDRESS THE FACT THAT HE NOR DAVE AT HENDRICK HAVE SEEN A VEHICLE THAT HAS HAD DAMAGE FROM THE RESULTING BACK FIRE FROM THE FUEL LEAKING FR…

Look up ODI 10105600 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10194879

LAST YEAR AFTER REFUELING THE 03 BUICK RENDEZVOUS IT WOULD NOT CRANK. SINCE THEN, OCCASIONALLY IT HAS DONE THE SAME. RECENTLY, IT WON'T START AT ALL WITHOUT TAKING 30 + MINUTES OF RETRYING AND RETRYING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINES ,AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE PROBLEM. AFTER SPENDING $400 FOR THAT THE CAR IS STILL NOT CRANKING.*AK

Look up ODI 10194879 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Brake response concerns

2 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 514043

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)

Look up ODI 514043 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 561727

THERE WAS A THUMPING SOUND AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, A TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE BRIDGED THE REAR WHEEL CYLINDER GASKET AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE BRAKE FLUID BUILT UP ON THE BRAKE LINING/PAD OF THE BRAKE SHOE, THE BRAKE FLUID IS MANUFACTURED WITH A SILICONE BASE, WHICH APPARENTLY COATS THE BRAKE LINING, AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED, THEREFORE THERE IS POTENTIAL BRAKE FAILURE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE SILICONE IN THE BRAKE FLUID FORMULATION.*J…

Look up ODI 561727 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

2 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 762719

Look up ODI 762719 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 752928

Look up ODI 752928 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 94,638 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10105600 · 94,638 mi

Look up ODI 10105600 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10106267

WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE NORMAL OIL CONSUMPTION OF 1 QUART IN 2000 MILES WAS NORMAL ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR A BUICK LESABRE '03 V6 ENGINE. I THOUGHT IT WAS RIDICULOUS FOR A BRAND NEW CAR! I'D APPRECIATE ANY INFO ON THIS. *NM

Look up ODI 10106267 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10141843

BOTH SIDE SEAT BELTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. THIS HAS CAUSED QUITE A PROBLEM WITH THE LAW REQUIRING PASSENGERS TO WEAR SEAT BELTS. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD. THE STOCK RIMS OF THE VEHICLE SLOWLY CUT THE TIRES AND CAUSE AIR LEAKAGE. THIS REQUIRES THE OWNER TO REPLACE THE TIRES BEFORE THEY WOULD OTHERWISE BE NEEDED. AND ALSO CAUSES THE 'LOW TIRE' WARNING LIGHT TO REPEATEDLY LIGHT UP AND NEED RESETTING. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD AS LOW TIRES CAN CAUSE BLOW OUTS. *JB

Look up ODI 10141843 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b