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2000 Buick LeSabre Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2000 Buick LeSabre has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power window regulator failure.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2000 Buick LeSabre.

Reported to NHTSA

Power window regulator failure

VISIBILITY

87 NHTSA complaints · 2007-08 → 2014-08

“WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW IS BROKEN. IT KEEPS THE WINDOW DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10204804
“THE PLASTIC TAB THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN PLACE BROKE. THE GM DEALER WANTED OVER $400 FOR THE REGULATOR, MINUS INSTALLATION. I FOUND A REPLACEMENT FOR $125 AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF. AFTER LOOKING AT THE REGULATOR, I KNOW THE OTHER THREE WINDOW REGULATORS WILL ALSO BREAK. IT IS TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10248286
“ALL FOUR OF THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED. THE CABLE ON ALL FOUR PARTS BECAME WORN AND BROKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10229174

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Erratic fuel gauge reading

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2016-12

“GAS GAUGE SWINGING ERRATICALLY BACK AND FORTH. NOT SURE HOW MUCH GASOLINE I HAVE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10400932
“THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY. IT WILL BOUNCE FROM 1/4 A TANK TO 1/2 A TANK TO FULL. IT IS ALWAYS ALL OVER THE PLACE. THIS IS A SIGN OF A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT (ITS A SENSOR). THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS, SO I KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE CAR, I CAN'T KEEP DUM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10526252
“THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE HAD BEGUN FLUCTUATING BETWEEN FUEL LEVEL READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO DETECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10398643

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dash pad separation from dashboard

STRUCTURE

16 NHTSA complaints · 2011-05 → 2016-12

“THE DASH PAD STARTED PEELING UP, FROM THE WINDSHIELD SIDE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER, APPROXIMATELY 2007. EVERY YEAR IT CURLED UP MORE & MORE, BY 2013 IT HAD LIFTED ABOUT 3". I CONTACTED BUICK AROUND 2010 ABOUT THIS DEFECT, THEY DID NOTHING. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS DEFECT I H”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10563494
“DASH PAD COVER MATERIAL HAS SEPARATED FROM THE DASH PAD BASE. ISSUE IS SEEN ON MANY 2000-2005 BUICK LESABRE AUTOMOBILES. MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NEEDS A SENIOR BRAND MANAGER TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE FOR A SOLUTION TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF DISSATISFIED OWNERS LIKE ME. I ALSO HAVE A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10467175
“THE DASHPAD HAS BEEN LIFTING ACROSS THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE PAD FROM FRONT TO REAR AND EXPOSING THE STRUCTURE UNDERNEATH. THIS INCLUDES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AREA WHICH THE DASH PAD IS COMPLETLY LIFTED AND NOT SURE IF AIRBAG IS EXPOSED. *TT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10462760

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake line corrosion and fluid loss

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

7 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2020-11

“WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, THE BRAKE SYSTEM LOST ALL PRESSURE. UPON INSPECTION, THE REAR BRAKE CROSSOVER LINE WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AS A RESULT OF CORROSION OVER IT'S ENTIRE LENGTH. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10533349
“BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE BRAKE LINE CORROSION. NO WARNING AT FIRST, THEN THE BRAKE WARNING CAME ON. ALMOST DID NOT STOP AND ALMOST HIT A CAR IN FRONT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10438504
“I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD ROTTED OUT IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE BETWEEN THE REAR WHEELS, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE COMPRESSOR MOTOR FOR THE LOAD LEVELING SHOCKS THAT ARE ON THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, AND THEY CONFIRMED WHAT I HAD FOUND,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10363997

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire and intake manifold failure

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

8 NHTSA complaints · 2008-03 → 2026-08

“THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, FLAMES ERUPTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FLAMES. A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED THAT THE FAILU”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10386034
“I opened the hood to see a large fire had started. My son, who heard the loud bang, came outside and saw the flames from under the hood. He ran into the house, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and attempted to put out the fire. He got the fire out but it was difficult. I had the car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463054
“WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL EXPLOSION FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO I”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10838499

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2018-07

“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10479948
“I HAVE A 2000 BUICK LESABRE THAT DIES AT RANDOM DRIVING DOWN ROAD,SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT,BASICALLY WHEN EVER IT FEELS LIKE. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10295746
“ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, SO FAR, ONLY AT LOWER SPEEDS. SOMETIMES, BY PUTTING IN NEUTRAL AND TURNING KEY, ENGINE STARTS AGAIN. OTHER TIMES, IT HAS TO SET FOR A WHILE. PUT NEW BATTERY IN 11/7/2013. PROBLEM PERSISTED. THREE AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING A BUICK DEALERSHIP, HAV”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10567722

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Throttle sticking and unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

7 NHTSA complaints · 2008-04 → 2025-12

“THE VEHICLE'S THROTTLE APPARENTLY BECOMES STUCK OPEN, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO STOP. IT HAS OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR IS IN PARK OR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP ON CITY STREETS OR WHEN ACCELERATING ON AN INTERSTATE RAMP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11022733
“THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH EXTENSIVE FORCE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT DOWN SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR, FOLLOWED BY NO RESPONSE. THE SPEED RATE REDUCED BETWEEN 10-15 MPH WHEN THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED INTO THE REVERSE POSITION WHICH ALLOWED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10356005
“The plastic pice holding the throttle lines snapped off and my cable went under my bracket and it took off I destroyed the Transmission putting it in neutral to stop the vehicle after I had gotten it stoped the fire from the engine was small I will recommend this car and yes I do”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11676853

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

482 crashes 1990–2024

How the 482 occupant deaths break down

341

driver deaths

141

passenger deaths

482

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1999 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

26

complaints mentioning a crash

30

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2000 Buick LeSabre reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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