Is the 2004 Buick LeSabre a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other LeSabre years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Buick LeSabre are in line with other LeSabre years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
2th quietest of 6 LeSabre years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 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 62,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 66 (41%) | 42k–90k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 19 (12%) | 40k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 14 (9%) | 44k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 13 (8%) | 48k–108k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (7%) | 36k–93k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 7 (4%) | 15k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 13 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (3%) | 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 62,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 162 complaints: 4 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2004 Buick LeSabre: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
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: 129
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 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…
Neighbouring years
2003 LeSabre: 164 complaints, keep it · 2005 LeSabre: 77 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 2004 Buick LeSabre a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other LeSabre years. At 62,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Buick LeSabre?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (66), body structure (19), air bags (14), engine (13), transmission and drivetrain (12).
How many recalls does the 2004 Buick LeSabre have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
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.