Two problems related to brake disc pads have been reported for the 2003 Buick Lesabre. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Buick Lesabre based on all problems reported for the 2003 Lesabre.
Front disc brake pads do not wear evenly. The inboard pad (on both wheels) wears faster than the outboard pad. Problem is, only the outboard pads have the wear alerter. So, if you don't inspect your front brakes frequently, the inboard pad lining can wear completely away without your knowledge, cause damage to the front brake rotor and reduce braking to an unsafe level. I have seen this condition on more than one Buick Lesabre.
Noise had occurred upon slowing and braking, so I took it to a dealer. A person from the service department rode with me but the problem did not happen (perhaps due to the light rain). Two days later I made a trip into atlanta. The front brakes sounded as though they were grinding at all speeds. A tire dealer in decatur (nearest my location at the time) replaced both front brake pads and rotors (36,000 miles). The problem is back. Examination of all four brake rotors and pads shows no gouging of the rotor and plenty of pad remaining on all 8 pads; they appear to be practically new (48,000 miles).