2000 Buick LeSabre Custom from North America - Comments

ALL 2001 full-sized Buicks have defect plastic window regulators which fail (mostly all power windows) with even infrequent use. Rear windows seem to fail first even if never used. According to the NHTSA database, this is a known defect in this vehicle reported by 21 of 29 owners reporting on the 'carsurvey.org' website. It costs $375-$500 to have the dealer replace this part on EACH window. There is no recall or extended warranty on this known bad part and the mfr. has not redesigned it so multiple failures are quite possible. Also, a high number of owners report tie-rod failures on this vehicle, so have them inspected regularly. Too bad this stupid window defect makes ownership excessively expensive. If you don't mind broken power windows or are willing to disconnect the motors, this could be a good car to own. Service Bulletin 3483 01/2001 simply says to replace the regulator.

Otherwise, this has been a quiet, smooth, powerful, comfortable, economical, and efficient auto to own. Almost as reliable as the 1991-99 Park Avenues, but wider and more expensive. Elderly drivers average 27-28 MPG in suburban driving. The power train is essentially unchanged since 1988 and one of the best ever made in the USA. Like all modern overhead valve engines, the timing belt must be changed every 65,000 miles to prevent destruction of the valve train and pistons if it fails. This is probably one of the more reliable sedans from the Big-Three, but less reliable than comparable cars from Japanese owned car makers. This is my mother's fourth and probably last Buick. Next time we'll get a used Lexus.

The 3800 engine in all Le Sabres of this vintage do not require a timing belt to be changed. Fortunately they have a timing chain which does not require maintenance. Perhaps your Lexus has a belt, but such is not the case in this product from GM.

Is your time worth $400 an hour? The window regulator is not that big a deal if you are willing to invest an hour of your time to fix it yourself. The regulator on my wifes Malibu broke and the dealer wanted $400 to fix it. I found a used regulator complete with motor for $30 on ebay and installed it myself in less than an hour. The install is the same for the LeSabre and Park Ave.

Better check your facts. "Overhead valve" usually refers to engines which have a cam in the block and use pushrods to activate the valves. Such engines never have a timing belt. You are thinking of "overhead cam" type engines of which most, but not all, use a timing belt or belts. While 60k is a good interval to change these, it is not what all manufacturers recommend, nor do all engines suffer internal damage if it breaks, many do not.