Research · Large Cars

2005 Buick LesabreRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 77 owner complaints for the 2005 Buick Lesabre. Most complaints involve electrical system (25) and power train (8). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
77
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2005 Buick Lesabre as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

77 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2005 – Oct 2025
  1. Electrical system25
  2. Power train8
  3. Engine5
  4. Air bags5
  5. Tires5
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  7. Suspension5
  8. Fuel system, gasoline4
  9. Exterior lighting4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Lesabre model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997402
1998410
1999215
2000680
2001335
2002322
2003167
2004162
200577
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

25 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO WORK. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2016Electrical systemODI 10854000

Power train

8 reports
“TOOK VEHICLE WITH 55,100 MILES TO THE AUTHORIZED GM DEALER AFTER SHUTTERING AND BARELY BEGINNING TO MOVE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE AUTHORIZED GM DEALER STATED "INSPECTED, NO CODES IN SYSTEM, ERRATIC SHIFT POINTS, DELAY SHIFT THRU 1ST AND 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, GOES TO 4TH GEAR. RECOMMENDS SRTA TRANS (3YR/100,000 WARRANTY) $3782.64." *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 23, 2012Power trainODI 10485879

Engine

5 reports1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LESABRE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CO2 SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WERE PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES APPEARED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS FOR THE CONTACT'S SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BROWN & WOOD INC. (329 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC 27834, (252) 227-0948) WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER REPAIR INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2019EngineODI 11246648
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LeSabre
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950423
  • LeSabre
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Buick Lesabre as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1488
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Lesabre questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Buick Lesabre have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 2005 Buick Lesabre problems?

Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (25), power train (8), engine (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Buick Lesabre get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Buick Lesabre at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026