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2000 Buick LeSabre

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 LeSabre.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2000 Buick LeSabre is a passenger car pairing a 4-speed automatic transmission with an engine that takes 4.5 quarts of 10W-30 API oil and returns EPA fuel economy of 17 city, 27 highway, and 20 combined mpg. With five recalls and 698 total owner complaints—visibility issues leading the list—it stands as the most problematic year in the model's 1990-2006 complaint history, well above any other point in that span. That peak contrasts sharply with the 2006 bookend, when complaints fell to just three, indicating a steep improvement curve across the LeSabre's later production run. For a researcher, the 2000 model year therefore represents the high-water mark of the car's known issues rather than a typical example of the platform.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/27/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 100 · 770 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 100 · 770 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175
Engine air filter	19259030
Fuel filter	25121293 discontinued · alt 25178753
Spark plug	12681664
Front wiper blades	15214346
Serpentine belt	19355282
Thermostat	24505924 alt 24506985
Cabin air filter	15811562

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	200 in
Overall width	73.6 in
Overall height	57.1 in
Wheelbase	112.2 in
Curb weight	3567 lb
Track (front / rear)	62.6 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 27 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	108 cu ft
Cargo volume	18 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the LeSabre of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2000 Limited Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2000	Limited Sedan 3.8L V6	7.40 sec	15.60 sec	205 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 11 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5,000-8,000 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	AC 41-921
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	100
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	770 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	11.4-12.6 @ 70 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	63 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	137 ft-lbs / 94 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.267 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.267 in / 0.433 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.224 in / 0.404 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

111 ft. lbs., step 2: 76

111 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	37 ft. lbs.	37 ft. lbs
2	120 degrees	120 degrees
3	turn 30

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 6,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2000 the Le Sabre experienced a sharp spike in federal complaints (698) and recalls (5), far exceeding the preceding decade where complaints typically ranged from 60 to 454 and recalls never topped 2. The trend shows a gradual rise in technical service bulletins (TSBs) through the late‑1990s, peaking dramatically at 361 in 2000 and then climbing steadily to 583 by 2006, indicating increasing manufacturer‑issued fixes after the target year. While investigations remained modest (2) and crash‑related complaints were low (26), the dominant complaint categories in 2000 were Visibility (226), Electrical System (56), Engine & Engine Cooling (54), and Steering (31). This concentration of issues, especially the visibility and electrical problems, suggests the 2000 model year suffered the worst reliability burst of the generation. **Takeaway:** Because 2000 is an outlier with unusually high complaints and recalls, it is a riskier year to purchase compared with surrounding model years.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

361

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

698

Owner complaints

26 involved a crash · 30 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99’00’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 698 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility226

Electrical System56

Engine & Engine Cooling54

Steering31

Tires30

Service Brakes, Hydraulic27

Fuel System, Gasoline25

Air Bags23

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V355000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 17/12/1999

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… Remedy: AN INSERT CONTAINING INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPTICALLY AIMING THE HEADLAMPS WILL BE PROVIDED TO OWNERS FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE IN THE INSERT FOR…

99V238000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:VacuumReported 27/08/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE BOOSTER TO PEDAL ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT NUTS MAY BE LOOSE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY NUTS AND TIGHTEN ALL FOUR (4) NUTS TO SPECIFIED TORQUE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 361 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP4723J	2024-10-25	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5099H	2024-09-12	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
General Communication	2024-08-26	Electrical System	Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It…
24-NA-141	2024-07-24	Power Train	GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific LeSabre. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 100 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 19259030 Fuel filter 25121293 Spark plug 12681664

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2000 LeSabre take?

4.5 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2000 LeSabre have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the LeSabre get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 27 highway / 20 combined mpg.