NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,884 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Buick LeSabre transmission problems

transmission problem

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2002 Buick LeSabre Owner Comments

problem #8

Jul 292008

LeSabre

  • 79,324 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When we first bought my Buick back in 2002 we have had tranny problems with noises and hesitation. We took it back to the dealership and they replaced the valvebody. That didn't help the noise but it helped the hesitation. The noise is a whining noise in first and second gear but when you get in third it goes away. That is due to a bad sun gear. Which ultimately led to the destruction of my transmission. We tried to get the dealership to help us but they just said it was due to normal wear and tear (typical dealer doesn't want to take responsibility). After $3200 and 4 days we had a new tranny. I drove it for 3 days and the whining noise came back. I am going to take it back and tell the to fix it because I don't feel like paying $3200 for another tranny.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #7

Jan 102007

LeSabre 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
-the contact stated that while driving his 2002 Buick le sabre (failure mileage: 60000) at 25 mph the vehicle began to hesitate. When applying the accelerator the vehicle hesitates and didn't seem to increase speed. Updated 02/16/07.

- Dodgeville, WI, USA

problem #6

Jun 142006

LeSabre 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,748 miles
: the contact stated a whining noise was heard after the accelerator pedal was released and repressed. The dealership has been alerted. A representative from GM drove the vehicle on two separate occasions. The first time was May 2005 however the problem could not be duplicated. The vehicle was driven again June 14, 2006. The representative heard the noise however stated it was too faint. They will not correct the problem or make any repairs until the noise gets louder. The dealership and representative both believe the noise is coming from the automatic transmission. The contact is concerned a failure could occur as a result of the noise. 08/02/06 contacted requested that the serpentine belt be replaced; at times trac-off light comes on; and the gas cap loose light comes on. No codes found.

- Flemington, NJ, USA

problem #5

Mar 082004

LeSabre 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2002 Buick Lesabre is in the shop at this moment getting a very expensive repair due to the failure of the intake system due to the use of the recommended fluids. An internet search showed me that there have been thousands of these complaints and Buick refuse to do anything about it. What can I do, what have you done, and why hasn't a class action suit been started to rectify this abominable situation? thank you. Dr. gerald M. levitt.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #4

Sep 272004

LeSabre 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
While driving my daughter to a school event on a busy highway, my 2002 Buick le sabre's speed started slowing down. Pressing the gas pedal did not speed up the car. Realizing that something was not right, I panicked but was able to steer the car through traffic and finally stall at an exit ramp. I tried to restart the car again but it did not want to start. My first thought was that the car was out of gas even though the fuel gage showed the car did have gas. Thinking that the problem was still a gas issue, I called a friend to bring some gas. After a 45 minute wait I poured two gallons into the fuel tank. At this time I restarted the car but when trying to shift, the shifter felt very loose and was not catching any gears. The shifter would just fall through. After trying two more times the car still failed to move in either direction. I had no choice but to have the car towed to a local transmission shop. At the repair shop, I was told that the transmission had an internal mechanical failure. I mentioned to the shop mechanic that there was never any type of indication that something was wrong with the transmission. Everything car was working fine before the transmission failed. I am very concerned about the transmission failure because it occurred on a busy highway and I strongly believe that it could have turned into a life and death issue. In researching this type of transmission model #4T65E for my Lesabre, I noticed numerous mechanical failure complaints for the same type of transmission and that many failures have occurred before the car is three years old. Even the shop technician was surprised to hear that the transmission failed on a fairly new two year old car. The car has only 50000 miles on it. I strongly suggest that there be a recall for this type of transmission failure before a serious injury or death occurs. I do not want my family to become a statistic. Please let me know soon as to what needs to be done to remedy my situation.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #3

Jun 242004

LeSabre

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
While driving, the consumer noticed the vehicle would not gain any speed when the accelerator was applied. The vehicle would jerk into gear or perform erratically.

- Paw Paw, MI, USA

problem #2

Jun 112003

LeSabre

  • miles
While driving at any speed and when shifting down to a low speed vehicle made clunky noise. Dealer has inspected transmission four times, and still problem recurring.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #1

May 092003

LeSabre 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles
I have a 2002 Buick lasabre, with 49000 miles on it. The transmission has gone bad on it, the tie rods are wore out and now, the rotors have rusted and are falling apart.

- Tioga, PA, USA

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