Model year guide

2002 Buick LeSabre

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Buick LeSabre is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 77 on record.

2002 Buick LeSabre — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Buick LeSabre at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints321
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$2,109

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Buick LeSabre recalls 2

Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion) NHTSA Campaign #02V067000 · 06/03/2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MISSING OR UNDER-TORQUED STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT BOLTS. IF A BOLT IS MISSING, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE UNEVEN STEERING RESPONSE OR UNUSUAL NOISES DURING TURNS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PRESENCE AND PROPER TORQUE OF BOTH STEERING GEAR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT…

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #02V222000 · 09/08/2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CO…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Buick LeSabre common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 321 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2002 Buick LeSabre MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,950

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2002 Buick LeSabre worth?

Low
$900
Typical price
$2,109
High
$3,800

From 74 comparable 2002 Buick LeSabre listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Buick LeSabre costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$950
Total$15,700
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,109) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,163), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Buick LeSabre trims & engines on record

Trims
Custom · Limited
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

2002 Buick LeSabre vehicles on record

Other Buick LeSabre model years

2002 Buick LeSabre — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Buick LeSabre have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2002 Buick LeSabre. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Buick LeSabre?

Based on 321 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, service brakes, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Buick LeSabre get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Buick LeSabre at about 21 mpg combined (17 city / 27 highway).

How much is a 2002 Buick LeSabre worth?

Comparable 2002 Buick LeSabre listings run roughly $900–$3,800, typically around $2,109 (from 74 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.