2000 Buick LeSabre Custom from North America - Comments

OEM tires replaced at 20,000 miles. Dealer stated that this was "normal wear".

Right front brake rotor had a groove worn in it within 1st 6 months. Dealership stated that this was "normal wear". No repair was needed.

Air Conditioning does not cool well. When I took it back to the dealership, they told me that this was "normal"

Do you see a pattern developing here?

The front brakes started to vibrate at 22,000 miles. Once again I took the car to the dealership for service and you guessed it, they told me that this was "NORMAL WEAR".

Water has always leaked in at the bottom of the front passenger door. After 2 trips to the dealership, nothing has changed. We simply park the car under the carport when it rains. My wife explains the odor as "normal" for this car.

A wind whistle can be heard coming from the right rear door. Driving at slower speeds seems to help this problem.

At 32,000 miles our dealership service adviser told us that the Intake needed to be replaced. Warranty picked up the nearly $600.00 bill. (Thank Goodness!)

Drivers door window motor burned out at 34,000 miles. The dealership stated that this was "normal" repair for many of these cars.

Both front and rear brakes were replaced at 35,000 miles. The dealership suggested that I have the rotors resurfaced. They discovered a groove in the right front rotor. Warranty would not pay for this repair, since it was considered "normal" service.

The rear carpet must be replaced. It appears to have bleach spilled on the center section. Within 2 months, the carpet fibers were gone, leaving a large white spot. The dealership stated that my wife was responsible for this ie: liquid bleach spilled out of her grocery bag. Upon asking her about this, she was quick to tell me that she had not bought liquid bleach in over 5 years. End of discussion! The parts department manager was kind enough to let me purchase the carpet for their cost: $115.oo.

Our previous Buick; 1990 LeSabre Limited, had NONE of the problems that our 2000 has had. We drove that car for 169,000 and no problems with windows, brakes, water leaks, odors, and "mystery" stains on the carpet. My wife and I felt that a new Buick would give us the same level of service. That has not been our experience with our 2000 model.

Our car is now 1000 miles passed warranty coverage. We want to trade for a Toyota Camry or equivalent.

I appreciate the honesty in their comments. They are very clear with their answers to the problems they were having. The imformation about how the dealership handled the situation.

Only thing I can say is that the 2000 model was a new design and it has been my observation that things are not so perfect until it has been around a few years. Seems this is the case no matter what make or model. Guess they make mistakes and correct them in the next year or two. I have a 95 that has treated me well. I drive it real easy though - no jack rabbit driving which tears up a car.

I have a 2000 Buick LeSabre and have experienced much the same. It is an excellent car, BUT it has a major engineering problem in the design of the window regulators. I am told that the 2000 through 2003 models all use the same regulator, with a small nylon pully that winds the cable in and out. I would imagine the problem will carry forward. It is very expensive to keep the windows running at $375 to $450 per regulator. I have had the Drivers side front replaced twice now, and drivers side rear once, all by 64000 miles.

I also have a 2000 Buick Le Sabre. The drivers and rear passenger windows dropped down into the door. I managed to get them up (lots of swearing and some soft nose needle nose pliers). Currently they are held up with 200 mph tape. Very inconvenient if you chew tobacco. A major problem.

Had to replace front driver's side window regulator and now rear driver's side sounds bad. Car has 71000 miles on it but has been well cared for. Also now need to replace rear self adjusting struts - my mechanic is seeing if there is an aftermarket non self adjusting replacement that will save some money. Not many other problems. Living in Florida, it does take time to cool down after car has been in the sun all day but with AC on max it works. LIke the comfort and steering wheel controls for the radio (can mute when I need to hear something else or during ads). Good MPG - average 25 mpg in city driving and 31 + on highway. I drive very carefully though.