The 2004 Buick LeSabre was one of the last great full-size American cars. The nameplate would be retired with the next model year, with more drivers buying crossovers and compacts as the full-size market became unsustainable. Roomy and powerful, this is the kind of car our grandparents used to drive.
Is the 2004 Buick LeSabre a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – A living room on wheels, the 2004 Buick LeSabre is a welcome throwback to the spacious cars we used to drive in the golden age of the American highway.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – One of the most comfortable cars on the road in any size class, at any price range, the LeSabre gives luxury cars a run for their money. Admittedly, the 2004 Chrysler 300M is a bit more generous when it comes to standard comfort features, but that’s splitting hairs.
- Reliability 8/10 – You probably won’t have any major mechanical issues for the first 200,000 miles, but look out for fidgety electronics.
- Safety 7/10 – Safety tech is dated, you won’t find modern features like rearview cameras and lane keep assist, but the LeSabre is about as safe as a 2004 sedan can get.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – You’re going to get better fuel economy out of a compact, full-size cars will never be the most efficient things on the road. But, by full-size car standards, you could do a whole lot worse than 20/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
- Value 8/10 – The 2004 LeSabre is one of the best deals on the market today. It feels a lot more expensive than it is, maintenance and refueling costs are low, and if you find one with 130,000 miles on the odometer, you might be able to double that number before it’s ready for retirement.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Buick LeSabre?
Edmunds were impressed with the spacious interior, comfortably seating six adults, as well as the fuel efficient V6, the smooth ride, and the enormous trunk. They praised the 2004 Buick LeSabre’s crash test scores, as well. They did note that the styling is dated, and it may be slow to accelerate with the seats packed.
Kelley Blue Book users give the 2004 Buick LeSabre a strong 90% recommendation, calling the car “absolutely dependable” with few maintenance problems and good fuel economy. Some build quality issues come up over time, though, in the form of cracking interior materials and peeling clearcoat.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Buick LeSabre Have?
Around one in three of the Buick LeSabre’s 161 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration complaints are for electrical issues, with reports of the instrument panel failing and headlights flickering out. In most cases this comes down to worn and damaged wiring.
A number of drivers are reporting airbag issues ranging from the dashboard coming loose around the airbag to the front airbag deploying on its own. Some drivers have reported airbags failing to go off in an accident. Rate of incidence is very low, with 14 airbag complaints on file in total, but check the dashboard when buying.
Powertrain and engine issues are few and far between. Reports of hard shifting and transmission failure are typically reported well past the 200,000 mile mark.
After twenty years on the road, the 2004 Buick LeSabre has zero recalls and zero investigations on file with the NHTSA. This means that, while the LeSabre may have its share of issues, just like any car, none of them met the bar of severity or frequency to justify an investigation or recall on the NHTSA’s part.
How Long Will the 2004 Buick LeSabre Last?
LeSabre owners have reported mileage as high as 400,000 and beyond. Buying used, you should expect a minimum mileage of around 225,000 before the expensive repairs start piling up.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of around $341, with the most expensive common fixes being new exhaust manifolds starting at $357, and new ignition switches at $297.
Very reliable. One of the best cars I have had. I bought it used and love it. No major problems. Mainly just maintenance, oil change, tires, etc
No, mine has problems all the time. The AC stopped working and barely blows out cool air, and the windows keep getting stuck when I roll them down.
It is very reliable and does not use a lot of oil and runs great. It has a very comfortable ride and we love it
I find it to be quite reliable. Personally I've not had any significant issues with it. I bought it with 85,000 miles on it, had to replace some engine coils right away, but have had no major repairs since, am over 100,000 miles at this point, 1.5 years later.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology onboard the 2004 LeSabre is pretty good for the model year. The entry-level model comes with a CD player with steering wheel mounted controls, and the Limited features 6 speakers with Concert Sound II.
Safety features are likewise pretty good for the model year. Full airbags and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes come standard. You won’t find rearview cameras or lane keep assist, but considering the car’s age you could do a lot worse.
Is the 2004 Buick LeSabre a Good Value?
The 2004 Buick LeSabre is a very good value. An entry-level Custom typically lists at around $4,119 with just 130,000 miles on the odometer. A Limited typically goes for around $4,651.
What makes the LeSabre such a good deal isn’t just that the sticker prices are under five grand. It’s the low cost of ownership and the luxurious interior that make the car a steal at this price. The LeSabre gets good gas mileage, it’ll probably put at least 225,000 miles on the odometer, and major repairs are few and far between.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Buick LeSabre?
The 2004 Buick LeSabre is available in just two trim levels, the base Custom and the high-end Limited.
With the entry-level Custom you’re getting:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Manual air conditioning
- Cruise control
- Power windows and door locks
- 8-way manual adjust driver seat
- Remote keyless entry
The top-of-the-line Limited adds:
- 10-way power adjust front seats
- Nuance leather seating
- Concert Sound II with six speakers
- Heated mirrors
- Dual zone automatic air conditioning
What Engines Come In the 2004 Buick LeSabre?
- The 2004 LeSabre comes packed with a 3.8L V6 engine delivering 205 horsepower and 230 lb.-ft. of torque at an average MPG of 20/29, city/highway. The engine is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2004 Buick LeSabre Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Buick LeSabre?
The 2004 Buick LeSabre is one of the most comfortable cars in its size class for this model year. The suspension offers a nice smooth ride and has held up well over the years, you’ve got 56.6 inches of hip room in the back, and even the entry-level driver seat is 8-way adjustable.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Buick LeSabre Have?
The 2004 Buick LeSabre has 16 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk. It doesn’t have fold-flat rear seating, though, so while 16 cubic feet should be more than enough for most cargo, you may find yourself strapping bigger items to the roof or tucking them in with a bungee cord.
Inside the cabin you’ve got all the space you could need with cupholders, slots, and pockets all over the place. You won’t be stacking your phone, notebooks, and wallet on the front seat, there’s somewhere to put whatever you’re bringing with you.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The 2004 LeSabre was part of the final 8th Generation for the nameplate, running from 2000 to 2005.
2002: New stereo systems were added to the lineup, while the Limited got a new set of 16 inch wheels.
2003: A Gran Touring package was offered for the Limited edition, with a set of handsome aluminum wheels.
2004: There were no major changes for 2004.
2005: No major changes in 2005, either. The LeSabre was actually the best-selling full-size car in the US at the time of its retirement, but even the best-selling full-size wasn’t moving enough movements to stay on the market.
How Does the 2004 Buick LeSabre Compare to the Competition?
The full-size sedan market was fading fast in 2004, but, besides the LeSabre, there were a few nameplates keeping the class alive, including the 2004 Chrysler 300M. The 300M is more powerful than the LeSabre, at 250 horsepower, and a bit roomier, but it’s not quite as fuel efficient, and drivers report that it can be a bit sluggish to accelerate.
A 2004 Nissan Maxima typically lists in the same range as a comparable LeSabre, it’s sixty horsepower stronger, but it’s not quite as roomy, and it’s not quite as reliable, with more than 1,400 complaints on file with the NHTSA.
You can’t really go wrong with any of these options. The Maxima is the most fuel efficient and the 300M offers more comfort features at the entry level, but the LeSabre may be the most well-rounded of the three.
Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Buick LeSabre?
Great, it is wonderful to be as old as it is. I haven't had many problems, mainly just maintenance, oil change, tires etc.
It's fine but I'd prefer a better car. Mine is old and doesn't have a lot of features. I'd really like it if I was able to do more stuff in it like connect my phone to it.
Yes most definitely it has 200,000 miles and still going strong with no problems. Buick has a great engine
Yes. It has a solid engine and is a nice, sturdy car with good crash protection. I'm confident I'll get a lot of miles on it, and have heard others speak similar.
