Is the 2000 Buick LeSabre a bad year?
669 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other LeSabre years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2000 Buick LeSabre are in line with other LeSabre years. Visibility and wipers, electrical system, fuel system and 1 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 LeSabre owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 57,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 249 (37%) | 40k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 87 (13%) | 33k–101k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 60 (9%) | 41k–88k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 47 (7%) | 39k–105k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 80 (12%) | 48k–132k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 44 (7%) | 40k–107k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 31 (5%) | 38k–77k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 25 (4%) | 50k–106k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 24 (4%) | 34k–80k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Tires | 37 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 25 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 24 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 17 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 57,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 669 complaints: 26 mention a crash · 30 mention a fire · 18 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Service engine light came on vehicle ran rough replaced valve body, TCC solenoid and pressure solenoid this complaint is against GM Buick division not dorschel service.
Engine shuts off while driving, so far, only at lower speeds. Sometimes, by putting in neutral and turning key, engine starts again.
Leaking oil onto exhaust manifold causing burning smell and smoke which permeates passenger compartment. This car has the 3.8 series ll engine which has a recall for this problem on the regal but not the lesabre.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 57,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Buick LeSabre: 5
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 V6 (L36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. The backfire can rupture the intake manifold. The rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these vehicles have internal fluid leaks in the brake hydraulic control unit. When the rear brake proportioning, antilock brake, traction control, or stability control feature is activated in some driving situations, the feature may not perform as designed.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." The head lamp adjustment device horizontal adjuster may not move the head lamp reflector when the shaft is rotated in a normal manner during aiming. Driver visibility may be impaired increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The inner tie rod nuts are loose and can result in separation of a tie rod. Separation of a tie rod can cause unexpected steering input increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake booster to pedal assembly attachment nuts may be loose. If these nuts are loose, the brake pedal may be low, the assembly may be loose, the brakes may not release, and if the nuts back completely off, braking may be lost. Also fume and water intrusion to the passenger compartment can occur.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Buick: 90
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Buick LeSabre. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Engine compartment fires
Engine compartment fires
Neighbouring years
2001 LeSabre: 328 complaints, keep it.
Every Buick LeSabre year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · All LeSabre years side by side
Other Buick models: Buick Century · Buick Enclave · Buick Encore · Buick Encore GX · Buick Envision · Buick LaCrosse · Buick Lucerne · Buick Park Avenue · Buick Rainier · Buick Regal · Buick Rendezvous · Buick Terraza · Buick Verano. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Buick LeSabre a bad year?
669 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other LeSabre years. At 57,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Buick LeSabre?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: visibility and wipers (249), electrical system (87), fuel system (60), steering (47), engine (80).
How many recalls does the 2000 Buick LeSabre have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 04V-090), Brakes (NHTSA 00V-114), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 99V-355), Steering (NHTSA 99V-301) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.