8.3
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $370
- Average Mileage:
- 80,700 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 62 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace window regulator (41 reports)
- replace regulator (5 reports)
- blocks of wood to hold window up (4 reports)
- not sure (4 reports)
- remove and replace (4 reports)
- replaced window motor (3 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Buick dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I have already had to replace two rear window regulators this on the same car now I have the front passenger window regulator broke. I can't afford to fix it because I have not been working full time because of the plant layoffs.I am trying to keep it blocked up but whenever you hit a bump it falls down again, but that is still not a problem for GM they have already got their money so the hell with the consumer.
- jgoins, Cameron, NC, US
All 4 windows. This is a common problem for G.M. vehicles, you can tell by all the gm's with tape on the top of the windows. I was able to replace them myself. Partsgeek.com has them with motor attached for $50.00 apiece. Best deal I could find. Having motors already attached is a time saver.
- Alan G., Durham, NC, US
Went out to go to work one morning and the left back window was down and it raining and cold. turns out the window regulator is broken.
- jgoins, Cameron, NC, US
This was the first one and within the next 9 months I had to replace 2 more.Now 2 of the ones that went out are out again.so that is 5 times in less than 2 years.all under 30,000 miles.I am ready to get rid of this vechicle.anyone I know that has owned this particular vechile has had the the same problem at least three times before they got rid of their vechicle.That is the only sure fire fix.THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUE!!!
- Judy D., Denver, CO, US
The passenger side rear window starting gradually sliding down and refused to go back up. Car was parked outside at the time and got wet inside as a result, although nothing major was damaged.
This is the THIRD power window motor that I've replaced on this car, the second in the past month. Clearly this is a defect in the motor design, but taking the car to a dealer is a waste, as they refuse to even acknowledge that this is a problem with this car.
Purchased a replacement motor assembly from NAPA for $167 and replaced it myself (a local car repair shop - not a dealer - quoted me $345 for the job parts + labor). It's not a horrible job but can have its frustrating moments. Instructions are available online here:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Whats_the_procedure_for_replacing_a_2001_Buick_Lesabre_window_regulator_on_the_right_rear_passenger_side_power_window
Again, there are posts all over the internet about this issue, so it is clearly a defect in the part. Aside from these, I haven't had too many problems with the car other than what you'd normally expect, but having your window fall down or not being able to get it up is a pretty aggravating situation.
- David C., Atlanta, GA, US
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY WINDOW REGULATORS 5 TIMES! THAT'S $750 TOTAL SPENT SO FAR. THE CHEAPEST I COULD FIND A USED JUNK PART IS $40 AT THE JUNK YARD, BUT THEY ONLY LAST 8-9 MONTHS AND BREAK AGAIN.
I FOUND A "NEW" PART FOR $80 AND IT HAS LASTED TIL THE 9 MONTH MARK SO FAR, HOPEFULLY WONT BREAK BEFORE I SELL THE CAR! TODAY I'M OFF THE BODY SHOP AGAIN TO GET MY REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FIXED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 2 YEARS. THE FIRST ONE BROKE AT 45K MILES. RIDICULOUS! DON'T GET IT FIXED AT THE DEALER! YOUR LOCAL BODY SHOP SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIX THIS IN ABOUT AN HOUR FOR UNDER $100 LABOR COST OR DO IT YOURSELF.
GOOD LUCK, AND I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!! I REALLY DO!
- D H., Cleveland, OH, US
I purchased my 2002 LeSabre Customer in April 2008 as a used car. My front right window regular went out in June 2009 and then almost three weeks later the back left side passenger window regulator went out. My car mechanic states that this is a known problem with this model year and that my other two windows will soon follow this trend. I contacted GM/Buick and GM/Buick seems to think that this part is fine the way it was manufactured and stated that they have had no customer complaints thus far. Therefore anyone going through this situation is on their own if they have no warranty cover. This part is very expensive to replace. I have had my two windows fixed to stay up until I can get the money together to fix all the windows which will amount to over $1600. No wonder this car company has had the problems they do. Produce an inferior product and sell it. Customers will stop buying!!
No more GMs for me!
Disappointed in Raleigh, NC
- mybusinesscv, Raleigh, NC, US
Both window regulators in the rear doors have failed and now the front passanger window as well. Each time the dealer has quoted me $473 dollars to replace the unit (Total=$1,419) so I spent $2.97 on 'C clamps' at the hardware store and will never, ever buy a GM vehicle again.
I sincerely hope some design engineers and quality control managers have new careers bagging groceries as a result of this blunder. Bankruptcy is too kind a solution for some car companies.
- newenglanddad, Goffstown, NH, US
The Buick Window motors and regulators are terrible. The first window motor to break was the drivers side front which cost $500 to fix from the dealer. I now have two more windows that are broke and I keep them held up with rubber wedges in the doors.
- Ronald S., Columbus, GA, US
The drivers side back window went down & never went back up. Went back to the dealership & the choices where $458.00 to repair it or insert rubber to keep it permanently up + huge labor bills. OR put 2 pieces of wood on both sides of the window & hope you never accidentally bump the button. That repair was $36, Buick definitely has a problem here & they need to acknowledge it, cheap *sses!
- Stacey L., Centralia, Il, US
Two motors have failed to date. The first was covered under the warranty but the 2nd was out of warranty. Since it was a rear window I just had the dealer block it closed. I believe this is a major defect in GM vehicles and they should cover the repairs. I have a 95 Regal with >160,000 mi and never had a window motor failure.
- Test T., Somewheresville, VT, US
I purchased the Buick LeSabre in September 2007. At that time I was told there was an issue with the rear driver side window and that it would not go up or down. Shortly after the purchase I had the window fixed costing me $485.00. I researched the issue online and found that this is a reoccurring issue with most Buick LeSabre owners. I have called and complained to Buick and they simply stated that there were not enough consumer complaint to issue a recall. Since my initial Window malfunction I have experienced the same problem with the rear passenger side window costing $502.00 to repair. This is the first Buick I have ever owned and at first I was delighted with the car but now I am certain I will stay away from buying ANY GM vehicles.
- Karen N., St. Louis, MO, US
First window regulator broke 8/06
Buick should pay to replace this ridiculous defect - - and extra $ for our grief & aggravation , our frostbite, resulting wet musty car smell...and duct-tape embarrassment!!! I'm sure most of us have driven around with duct tape until we resigned to the fact it costs $400 to get it fixed, reapplying duct tape daily. Which, by the way, doesn't really work.
If I had kids, it would be a safety issue.
Someone suggested we should file complaints at NHTSA online at www.safercar.gov. Select �File a Complaint� within the Defects and Recalls section of the home page or you can call 1-888-327-4236 or 1-800-424-9393.
- M D., Cleveland, OH, US
this has happened on two 2002 Lesabres I own. Both the same window, It would seem that Buick has an engineering problem with this problem.
- R G F., Duxbury, MA, US
I don't know why this happened, but it has on 3 separate occasions. I am told to take it to a Buick dealer and am in the process now of seeing how that pans out. I don't know about my case because of high mileage. If all else fails, I guess duct tape works.
- Tammy B., Columbia, SC, US
we just purchased a used 2002 Buick LeSabre. We only had the car for 2 weeks (exactly)
when the right rear passenger window failed. The window just fell down. Before we could get the car in to be fixed, 2 days later, the left rear window fell down also. No kidding, 2 windows in just 2 days. Cost is $800. The dealer wouldn't pick up the cost.
- kidblue, Maybee, MI, US
Purchased used 2002 Buick in 2006 now rear window has failed. Cost to repair is about $290 for part plus labor of about $130. Previously, 3 of 4 windows regulators failed on a 2000 Buick LeSabre (I purchased new) at 54,000, 66,000 & 76,000 miles. Rears failed first then front passenger window. Drivers still OK. Seems to fail more the less you use it. Search of web shows many have had this problem.
Seems like GM/Buick should do something about this problem that has continued to exist. I would like to elevate this issue.
- engrolson, Fountain Valley, CA, US
We had 3 regulators go bad within 9 months. We replaced the front passenger side regulator. Both rear windows went bad and we have never replaced them. Just blocked them up with a chunk of wood. Seems weird that 3 went bad. Have had Buicks in the past with nothing like this.
- Jim K., Vinton, IA, US
ther seems to be a great difference in price for regulator and you have to buy parts that you don't need. when regulator is broke you don't need a motor just regulator!
- James K. M., Gainesville, GA, US
I don't remember exactly when the first window regulator went out, the left rear, probably about 2 years ago. This was fixed by a friend, and I do not have any documentation--should have saved the old one. In October, some friends were borrowing my car for a road trip that I was unable to make, but was letting them use my car anyway. As we were taking the car to the dealer for an oil change, fluid check, etc., and to check to make sure it was road safe, the right window regulators went out before we even got it out of my driveway!!!! My car had less than 19,000 miles!!! Long story short, dealer cost: approximately $711.00. Had them fixed, and along with other issues, the bill was for 1300.00!!!!!!! There has to be some kind of recall.
- mlc, Weldon Spring, MO, US