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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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Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (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 AWARE OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (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 AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10630534

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNAWARE OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNAWARE OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10627135

30,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemStructureVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE OR ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT READINGS FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE. IN ADDITION, THE S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE OR ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT READINGS FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF WAS LEAKING, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS CONTINUOUSLY ON ALTHOUGH THE CONTROL WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE DOOR OR THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626687

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10626419

115,000 miles · Jul 5, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS OFF DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS (DIMS) WILL SHUT OFF, THE RADIO WILL TURN OFF OR THE LIGHTS FOR IT WILL DIM OR SHUT OFF, THE DASH LIGHTS DIM OR TURN OFF COMPLETELY, THEN TAKE QUITE A WHILE TO COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES IT AFF…

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MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS OFF DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS AT NIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS (DIMS) WILL SHUT OFF, THE RADIO WILL TURN OFF OR THE LIGHTS FOR IT WILL DIM OR SHUT OFF, THE DASH LIGHTS DIM OR TURN OFF COMPLETELY, THEN TAKE QUITE A WHILE TO COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES IT AFFECTS ONLY DIFFERENT PARTS OF THOSE LISTED ABOVE. THE ISSUE IS WE HAVE HAD IT INTO A REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST TWICE FOR IT AND THEY HAVE REPLACE SOME PARTS THEY THOUGHT COULD CAUSE IT, BUT IT HASN'T STOPPED IT FROM HAPPENING. IT IS ONLY NOTICEABLE IN THE EVENINGS WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE NEEDED BUT IT HAPPENS AT ANY TIME BUT WHEN YOU WANT TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BECAUSE WHEN WE GET IT TO THE SHOP, THE PROBLEMS ARE NO LONGER SHOWING UP. IT HAS DONE THIS FOR HER AT LEAST 6 TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608336

95,000 miles · Jun 27, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT NUMBER: 35 FUSE MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT NUMBER: 35 FUSE MELTED INTO THE FUSE BOX, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10606571

120,450 miles · May 5, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING OUT INTERSTATE TAKING MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDKIDS HOME IT WAS DARK AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, HAD TO TRY AND GET PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER I WAS SCARED I WOULD WRECK BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE WHERE I WAS GOING, GOT PULLED OVER AND AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 30 MINS OR S…

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I WAS DRIVING OUT INTERSTATE TAKING MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDKIDS HOME IT WAS DARK AND ALL THE SUDDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, HAD TO TRY AND GET PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER I WAS SCARED I WOULD WRECK BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE WHERE I WAS GOING, GOT PULLED OVER AND AFTER TURNING CAR OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 30 MINS OR SO MY HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS VGOING TO HAPPEN AND IT FRIGHTENS ME TO THINK I COULD HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH MY 8YR OLD CHILD IN THE CAR WITH ME. THE DEALER I PURCHASED FROM WILL NOT WORK WITH ME TO GET THIS PROPERLY FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510716

60,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LOW BEAMS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AT NIGHT, THEN SELF-RESTORE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. HIGH BEAMS WORK. ALREADY CHANGED THE SIGNAL ARM SWITCH, THE HEADLAMP IN-DASH SWITCH, THE RELAY IN THE FUSEBOX, BOTH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. HOMESTEAD CHEVROLET/CADILLAC DEALER AND VARIOUS "SMART" MECHANIC SHOPS SEEM TO BE OUTWITTED BY THIS ONE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452438

59,700 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Electrical SystemVisibility

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUR NEW (TO US) 2005 BUICK LACROSSE WITH THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON IN SANFORD, NC. IT WAS ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN 8 INCH HOLE IN THE MIDDLE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO USED WITH A…

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MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUR NEW (TO US) 2005 BUICK LACROSSE WITH THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON IN SANFORD, NC. IT WAS ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN 8 INCH HOLE IN THE MIDDLE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO USED WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY FROM STEVE JONES HONDA IN ABERDEEN NC. WE HAVEN'T EVEN MADE THE FIRST PAYMENT AND WE STILL HAVE A TEMPORARY TAG ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY WITH THE VEHICLE REPAIR AND NOW WE HAVE SPENT OVER $300 ON A NEW REAR WINDOW FOR OUR NEW CAR. THE WIRES IN THE DEFROSTER WERE OBSERVED TO BE A DIFFERENT COLOR IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW - DARK ORANGE / RED. THIS INCIDENT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND APPEARED TO SIMPLY BE A RESULT OF A MALFUNCTIONING REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. WE HAD THE SHOP NOT HOOK UP THE DEFROSTER TO THE NEW WINDOW TO AVOID ANOTHER OF THESE INCIDENTS. WE COULD FIND NO RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THOUGH WE DID FIND ONE OTHER INCIDENT ONLINE OF THE EXACT THING OCCURRING TO A MOTHER WHO HAD THEIR INFANT CHILD IN THE BACK OF THEIR 2006 LACROSSE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363584

107,450 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN OTHER DRIVERS BEGAN TO FLASH THEIR LIGHTS AT HER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE DRIVER NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE RELAY WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN OTHER DRIVERS BEGAN TO FLASH THEIR LIGHTS AT HER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE DRIVER NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE RELAY WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,450 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,650. UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10356823

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.