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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.

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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
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180,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Electrical System

GM SENT OUT A RECALL FOR THE BUICK LACROSSE 2005. THE RECALL WAS TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO SWITCH OFF AT RANDOM WHILE RUNNING CAUSING FOR POTENTIAL CRASH AND LACK OF AIRBAGS TO WORK AND OTHER POSSIBLE HAZARDS. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE TAKE ANY THINGS OFF OF THE KEY RING OTHER THAN THE KEY WHEN IN DRIVE. I HAD NEVER …

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GM SENT OUT A RECALL FOR THE BUICK LACROSSE 2005. THE RECALL WAS TO FIX AN ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO SWITCH OFF AT RANDOM WHILE RUNNING CAUSING FOR POTENTIAL CRASH AND LACK OF AIRBAGS TO WORK AND OTHER POSSIBLE HAZARDS. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE TAKE ANY THINGS OFF OF THE KEY RING OTHER THAN THE KEY WHEN IN DRIVE. I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE OF MY CAR TURNING OFF ON ITS OWN PREVIOUS TO RECEIVING THIS RECALL. BEING PROACTIVE I TOOK MY CAR TO THE WILKINS GMC BUICK DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT 6913 RITCHIE HIGHWAY, GLEN BURNIE, MD 21061 IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICED. WHILE HAVING THE RECALL FIXED I FOUND OUT FROM A SERVICE WORKER AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE RECALL FIX IS ONLY A CHANGE IN THE KEY. ONCE THE RECALL FIX WAS COMPLETED I LEFT AND A WEEK LATER HAD THE ISSUE OF THE CAR TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING OCCUR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE KEY TO ENSURE THE FIX WAS PROPERLY DONE, THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS PROPERLY DONE AND NO NEED TO COME IN. I THEN CALLED GM CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON THE IGNITION PART (THE REAL PROBLEM) AND THE KEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE. I WAS GIVEN NO ASSISTANCE FOR THE TRUE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF QUALITY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE FROM THIS COMPANY. MY CAR HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND NOW WILL BARELY STAY ON WITHOUT THE KEY TURNING TO THE OFF POSITION. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND SPOKEN WITH MANY MECHANICS WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION POINTING TO THE NEED FOR A NEW PROPER RECALL ON THE IGNITION ITSELF AND NOT THE KEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10681060

112,460 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,460.

NHTSA ODI #10679413

26,000 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT ME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10676700

112,380 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND STARTER DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,380.

NHTSA ODI #10670202

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. UPDATED 1/7/15*CN

NHTSA ODI #10661869

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10658561

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2014
Electrical System

2005 BUICK LACROSSE SENT IN COPIES OF HER RECALL NOTICE.*CW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10653283

70,000 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS WILL GO OFF. THERE ARE OTHER TIMES THAT DURING THE DAY, THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY, RADIO AND HVAC DISPLAYS WILL GO EXTREMELY DIM. IS THIS A FAULT WITH THE DAYLIGHT SENSOR? REGARDLESS, I DO NOT APPRECIATE HAVING A CAR GO DOWN THE ROAD WHERE THE HEADLAMPS G…

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THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS WILL GO OFF. THERE ARE OTHER TIMES THAT DURING THE DAY, THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY, RADIO AND HVAC DISPLAYS WILL GO EXTREMELY DIM. IS THIS A FAULT WITH THE DAYLIGHT SENSOR? REGARDLESS, I DO NOT APPRECIATE HAVING A CAR GO DOWN THE ROAD WHERE THE HEADLAMPS GO OUT. I COULDN'T SEE. I WAS ABLE TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS AND COULD SEE AGAIN. NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I AM ENTERING THIS INFORMATION FOR MY MOTHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654525

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXHIBITED THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10652579

63,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THE P…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER STATED THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10652436

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.