← New search

2005 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lacrosse years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Buick Lacrosse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

224 reports with mileage · 91 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

80 reports
Clear category filter
150,000 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ROTATION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LINWOOD BUICK DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ROTATION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LINWOOD BUICK DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11011763

93,285 miles · Apr 25, 2017
Electrical SystemEngine

I MADE A STOP AT THE STOP SIGN ON RIDGE HILL DR AND HICKORY HILL RD. AS I TURN LEFT ON HICKORY HILL RD MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE MOTOR. SO I STAYED TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION ON HICKORY HILL RD TO THE AUTO ZONE ON THE RIGHT THAT'S LOCATED ON HICKORY HILL RD AND WINCHESTER RD. I PURCHASED IGNITION CO…

Read full complaint

I MADE A STOP AT THE STOP SIGN ON RIDGE HILL DR AND HICKORY HILL RD. AS I TURN LEFT ON HICKORY HILL RD MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE MOTOR. SO I STAYED TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION ON HICKORY HILL RD TO THE AUTO ZONE ON THE RIGHT THAT'S LOCATED ON HICKORY HILL RD AND WINCHESTER RD. I PURCHASED IGNITION COILS, WIRES, AND SHARK PLUG FOR MY VEHICLE. I GET ON HICKORY HILL RD HEADING TO RAINES RD. I GET THE RED LIGHT ON HICKORY HILL RD AND RAINES RD I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN AS I TRAVEL DOWN HICKORY HILL RD I STARTED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY TWO FRONT SEATS. I MADE A RIGHT ON RIDGE HILL DR TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE AT MY RELATIVE HOME. I CALLED A MECHANIC TO DO THE LABOR ON THE VEHICLE JUST IT WAS STILL IN THE SAME CONDITION AFTER THE NEW PARTS. SO I CAME TO MY VEHICLE TO GET MY PERSONAL ITEMS THAT THURSDAY APRIL 20,2017 I NOTICE A DEEP BURN LOCATION ON THE MIDDLE OF THE CARPET. I THEN PULL THE FRONT CARPET UP AND I SEEN EVERYTHING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED.

NHTSA ODI #10980472

153,037 miles · Dec 7, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, SPECIFIC DETAILS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMP…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, SPECIFIC DETAILS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED AND THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,037.

NHTSA ODI #10930382

132,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY WIRE CONNECTOR …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY WIRE CONNECTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #10877017

179,000 miles · May 23, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 7 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED AND DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FOR SHORT AMOUNTS OF TIME BEFORE IT WOULD STALL AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 7 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED AND DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FOR SHORT AMOUNTS OF TIME BEFORE IT WOULD STALL AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S MAIN COMPUTER WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000....UPDATED 06/30/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ODI #10870343

104,000 miles · Apr 28, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10862053

111,400 miles · Apr 26, 2016
Electrical System

MARCH 2016 DROVE CAR OVER LOCAL HIGHWAY TO LOCAL MALL AND PARKED. RETURNED TO CAR AFTER SHOPPING TO HEAD HOME AND CAR WOULD NOT START. APPEARED TO BE DEAD. CALLED TOWING COMPANY. WHEN THEY OPENED THE HOOD TO ATTEMPT TO JUMP START, NOTICED HORRIBLE BURNING SMELL AND TOW DRIVER POINTED OUT THAT WIRES APPEARED BURNED AND SHARED …

Read full complaint

MARCH 2016 DROVE CAR OVER LOCAL HIGHWAY TO LOCAL MALL AND PARKED. RETURNED TO CAR AFTER SHOPPING TO HEAD HOME AND CAR WOULD NOT START. APPEARED TO BE DEAD. CALLED TOWING COMPANY. WHEN THEY OPENED THE HOOD TO ATTEMPT TO JUMP START, NOTICED HORRIBLE BURNING SMELL AND TOW DRIVER POINTED OUT THAT WIRES APPEARED BURNED AND SHARED THAT SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG. TOWED CAR TO OWN REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUSE BOX IN THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETED FRIED ALONG WITH THE ATTACHED WIRING AFFECTING THE COMPUTERS, ETC. SUGGESTED CALL TO INSURANCE COMPANY AS WOULD COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX AND EVEN THEN NO GUARANTEE IT WOULD WORK PROPERLY AGAIN. INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED CAR TOTAL LOSS AND WOULD NOT PAY AS IT CAME UNDER THE 'MECHANICAL FAILURE' CLAUSE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL 14V755 THAT DISPLAYS ONLY WHEN SEARCHING BY VIN. THE RECALL STILL DISPLAYS THAT 'REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE'. ALSO FOUND ENTRIES IN SAFERCAR.GOV OF SAME SITUATION HAPPENING TO OTHERS WITH THE ENGINE CATCHING FIRE. NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL. UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL, WAS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY 8/2015 AND HAD OWN REPAIR SHOP REPLACE THIS MODULE ON 8/2015 WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. CAR IN OVERALL EXCELLENT CONDITION AND NOW RENDERED USELESS.

NHTSA ODI #10861441

153,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SLOWED DOWN, STOPPED, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO PERFORMED AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID N…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SLOWED DOWN, STOPPED, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO PERFORMED AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT DO ANYTHING AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR THE KEY AND NOT THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10853312

153,043 miles · Mar 21, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION KEY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION KEY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,043.

NHTSA ODI #10850790

134,000 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10824797

Official recalls

4

15V519000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 14, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

05V156000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Apr 20, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIN COULD HAVE BEEN BENT WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED. A BENT CLIP MAY COME OFF, ALLOWING THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PUSHING ON THE PEDAL WILL NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD BUSHING AND RETAINING CLIP AND, IF THE CLIP WAS MISSING, A NEW BRAKE PEDAL ARM ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.