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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

Engine complaints

6 reports
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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…

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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

107,159 miles · Jun 14, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING WIRE AND THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING WIRE AND THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE COIL AND SPARK PLUGS. AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE HOME WITH THE VEHICLE, IT DID NOT START AGAIN AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,159.

NHTSA ODI #10874199

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…

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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

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

90,000 miles · Sep 19, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10637588

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10626268

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.