7.6
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $490
- Average Mileage:
- 71,450 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 73 complaints
Most common solutions:
- OEM replacement of regulator (26 reports)
- replace entire unit (19 reports)
- produce a product that works, this is ridiculous (11 reports)
- not sure (8 reports)
- replace regulator and motor in unit (6 reports)
- permanently closed the windows (2 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Buick dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I inherited a 2001 Buick Lesabre in May of 2008. Since that time, I have had numerous problems. The major problems started when the ABS/Traction light came on. It was necessary to replace the front drivers side hub. When the light came back on a month later, I assumed there was something wrong with the repair. Not so. The front passenger side hub needed to be replaced as well.
Then came the window problems. First, the rear drivers side window stopped working. We were told that it would be ~$400 to replace the regulator. Since we don't typically have anyone in the back seat, we just had it sealed shut. Since then, the front drivers side window has stopped working. Luckily, it is stuck in the closed position, so we simply have not done anything about it.
To echo a previous complaint, the car has major electrical problems overall. The automatic windshield wipers randomly operate. When it's not raining, they randomly turn on. When it is raining, I have to turn them on manually. The radio works randomly. I'll leave it on for weeks, and it won't operate. Then, all of a sudden, it turns on and then back off after an hour of operation.
Next, the crank shaft position sensor went out. This means that the car had the potential to stall randomly as I was driving down the highway at 60MPH in rush hour traffic. The dealership initially told me that it was the fuel pump. They replaced the fuel pump then when the problem repeated following the replacement, they identified the cranks shaft position sensor as the problem. Luckily, they did not charge me for the fuel pump ($1,400).
About a month ago, the ABS/Traction Off light came back on. Then it went back off and came back on. It's off for the moment. Two weeks ago, the back turn signal light went out. No problem right? Just change out the light bulb. The next day, the turn signal light was working again. A week later, it was out again. It's out at the moment, but since this is an intermittent problem, the bulb is clearly not the problem.
Finally, yesterday, the lights became a problem. In order to turn the lights on, there is a button that is pushed. In order to turn them off, you simply push the button a second time. Well, the button is pushed but the lights aren't on, and if I push the button a second time, nothing happens.
The entire situation is a shame. As I said, I inherited the car. I did not buy it. However, it is a very comfortable car with a smooth ride. It would be a great car, if only there wasn't something constantly needing to be fixed. As others have stated. I will NEVER buy a Buick. I'm currently debating on whether or not to trade it in. If I do, it certainly will NOT be on any type of GM vehicle.
- C. S., Houston, TX, US
Right rear window regulator failed (upper plastic cable guide fell apart). Window would not roll up and would always fall all the way open. This happened on a driving vacation about 700 miles from home. "Luckily", I was able to wedge it closed. This was the second of all four windows regulators to break. This was later replaced with an aftermarket unit.
- A B., Seguin, TX, US
Front left window regulator failed (upper plastic cable guide fell apart). Window would not roll up and would always fall all the way open. This was the third of all four windows regulators to break. This was later replaced with an aftermarket unit.
- A B., Seguin, TX, US
Rear left window regulator failed (plastic guide that holds cable ends together fell apart). Window would not roll up and would always fall all the way open. This was the first of all four windows regulators to break. This was later replaced with an aftermarket unit.
- A B., Seguin, TX, US
Front right window regulator failed (upper plastic cable guide fell apart). Window would not roll up and would always fall all the way open. This was the fourth of all four windows regulators to break. This was later replaced with an aftermarket unit.
- A B., Seguin, TX, US
Both driver's side rear and passenger front windows are permanently closed. We have had both windows looked at multiple times, to the tune of $1,600. Motors have been replaced etc, nothing works. They are now permanently closed, which really bites.
Also, the whole electrical system is screwed up, take this car through a car wash and you will find out just how bad it really is. No power anything, no lights, no radio, no windshield wipers, nada.
- Betty O., Bemidji, MN, US
We have a 2001 Buick LaSabre. The windows failed on us two months ago. First the back rear passenger side window - repaired by the dealer at our cost ($450). And just yesterday the rear drivers side window failed. What is going on with a recall... with all the other complaints online you'd think they would make a formal announcement about the power window problem.
I'd hate to think that the American Car Companies are taking a second seat to Toyota & Honda... seeing their market shrink. This maybe a sign of things to come, GM on the (further) slide. By the way I have a 1988 Toyota 4Runner that has 200K miles on it in somewhat good running condition with minor maintenance over the years. Great vehicle by Toyota. This is a complaint about my 2001 LaSabre for sure, and yes I am steamed about the windows failing, the power mirror control failing, the transmission failing after 2 months in a then new car...., but I like everything else about the car. This is the second LaSabre we've had, but it will be our last one when we trade it in.
- Mel T., Los Angeles, CA, US
As reported by many other owners, front passenger window failed. I have read about this before and was hoping my "granny mobile" would not fall victim.
- chupacabre59, San Antonio, TX, US
I have had to replace the entire power window assembly on BOTH rear windows on my car in the past year. This is ridiculous. I hardly ever even OPEN my windows, and you can bet I never will again. This is a ridiculous problem, and with all the complaints, I'm amazed there hasn't been a recall. No wonder GM is in trouble. I say let them sink!
- Jennifer W., Pittsburgh, PA, US
An intermittent problem on the power windows. 1. The right rear would not open...later (2day to 2 weeks) it did. 2. The right rear would not open...later (2day to 2 weeks) it did. 3. The drivers side would not open...later (2day to 2 weeks) it did. Now the drivers� side will not open. The last time the drivers side quit, I was on my way to the dealer to get it fixed and (you guessed it) it worked before I got there. Now the driver�s side has quit again. I�m going to take it to the dealer again and hopefully it will stay broken until I get there.
I�m thinking about a new car and you can bet your bottom dollar it won�t be made in Detroit.
P.S. I guess I should be thankful, all the failures were with the window closed.
- Dale S., Waco, TX, US
You would think that the window that gets used the most (driver's window) would fail? I have a friend with a1999 LeSabre and same passenger back window quit working. My mechanic says it's not just us. I just had it fail again! I like the car, but the windows are junk!
- tmark, South Haven, MI, US
Both back windows went out at the same time. It would have cost too much to have them both repaired so we had them both sealed shut. From what I've read, many people repair it only to have the part break again within a month.
- bookman, Easley, SC, US
This car only has 33,000 miles on it and both rear window regulators have had to be replaced. The PLASTIC that holds the cable broke and the whole regulator assembly had to be replaced, motor, cable and all. One was replaced in May of 08 and the other in July. This is ridiculous for a car with this amount of mileage on it! From reviewing other complaints it looks to me as if this is a manufacturer defect and there should be a recall. How many complaints do they need before a recall is warranted?
The first one broke by just powering down the window. The second one broke when we hit a bump. The window just fell down. Buyer beware...
- Ellis W., Blanchard, OK, US
This was the Fifth window to go bad in my car. Every window unit in this car had to be replaced. I wrote a letter to Buick and received a call from them. After their investigation they agreed that there was a problem and had the window repaired under a warranty. I am now afraid to use the windows in this car. I told them I was thinking of getting another car so they actually sent me a voucher worth $ 1000 towards another Buick if I decided to buy one. I am not sure I will ever buy another Buick. I now keep my fingers crossed when I use the power windows.
- Timothy H., Allentown, PA, US
Having a window drop down suddenly with no way to get it up, unless you happen to have some duct tape with you is MORE than annoying. GM should admit this defect and fix it. One dealer actually told a customer that it broke because it wasn't used enough (back window). What?
- gmatthews, Cary, NC, US
All 4 windows had the similar problem of not able to come back up once opened. 3 of them are fixed. Out of the 3, we have 2 permanently closed. It's really too bad, this is a nice comfortable car and each time we pass a toll station, we had to open the driver's side door to pay toll due to windows don't work. Several dash electronic lighting also failed. We have always own GM cars in the past 20+ years or so. We can see their product look nicer on the outside and quality going lower steadily. We will not be fooled again by their pricing. NO MORE domestic made vehicles (GM especially). Time to switch to car companies that put quality behind their products.
- app_dev, Plano, TX, US
was assured they would pay for half this time since we are long time customers. when they called, instead of saying the work was done, we were going to have to pay for all of the repair. we did not have the work done.
- Richard C., melbourne, fl, US
then the right rear window needed the actuator replaced. annoying now, at best, since this was the second one in less than a year. the service rep got the work done at no charge to us.
- Richard C., melbourne, fl, US
we have owned MANY GM vehicles and never had any issues. the drvers window "actuator" cable broke and was replaced under warranty.
- Richard C., melbourne, fl, US
Had all 4 window regulators replaced, and then 2 of the replacements failed less than a year later. I have permanently closed those windows until I can finish fighting with the dealer who claims they don't have to replace it. This couldn't come at a worse time as my dog has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and one of the few real joys she has is sticking her head out the window. Now it's shut permanently and she acts like she's being punished. I'm so pissed, I can't even begin to explain how much this experience has utterly destroyed my faith in American Automotives. Why can't we build even half-decent cars, and why don't we stand by our products?
- Alan M., Anaheim, CA, US