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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.

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

Structure complaints

16 reports
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125,000 miles · Jun 22, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF SEALANT WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF SEALANT WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10875840

40,000 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DOORS LOCKED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10872110

58,000 miles · Oct 5, 2014
Structure

BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON LEFT DRIVER SIDE AND BACK PASSENGER SIDE HAVE FALLEN APART WHEN OPENED. EACH OCCURRENCES HAS HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. ABOUT A YEAR APART. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT WITH CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. SAME WITH THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING…

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BOTH OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON LEFT DRIVER SIDE AND BACK PASSENGER SIDE HAVE FALLEN APART WHEN OPENED. EACH OCCURRENCES HAS HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT TIMES. ABOUT A YEAR APART. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT WITH CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. SAME WITH THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 65 YEARS AND NEVER HAD DOOR HANDLES FALL APART. (MORE CHEAP QUALITY WE PAY FOR). THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING TO JUST ME!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641520

97,978 miles · Sep 25, 2014
SteeringStructureCrashInjury

I WAS ON MY WAY BACK HOME WHICH IS ROCHESTER, NY. I WAS COMING FROM PORSMOUTH, VA. FROM BURYING MY MOTHER WHICH SHE PASS ON JUNE 3, 2014. I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON JUNE 22, 2014. A CAR WAS COMING OVER INTO MY LANE FROM THE LEFT LANE CUT ME SHORT, I TRIED NOT TO HIT THE CAR TURN MY CAR TO THE RIGHT BUT THE CAR HIT MY CAR AND…

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I WAS ON MY WAY BACK HOME WHICH IS ROCHESTER, NY. I WAS COMING FROM PORSMOUTH, VA. FROM BURYING MY MOTHER WHICH SHE PASS ON JUNE 3, 2014. I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON JUNE 22, 2014. A CAR WAS COMING OVER INTO MY LANE FROM THE LEFT LANE CUT ME SHORT, I TRIED NOT TO HIT THE CAR TURN MY CAR TO THE RIGHT BUT THE CAR HIT MY CAR AND MADE MY CAR GO OUT OF CONTROL WENT TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE CENTER CONCRETE BARRIER WITH THE LEFT FRONT PORTION OF MY CAR, THEN I VEERED ACROSS BOTH LANES AND STRUCK THE EAST ROCK EMBANKMENT BEFORE MY CAR COMING TO REST IN THE LEFT LANE OF TRAVEL FACING NORTH. THE CRASH OCCURRED NORTHBOUND ON L-476 PA TURNPIKE AT 0850 HOURS. MY DAUGHTER AND I WAS HURT IN THAT CRASH. WE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL WE HAD TO DO THERAPY AND AS OF SEPTEMBER 25 2014 I AM STILL GOING TO THERAPY. THE CAR THAT I WAS IN THE CRASH WITH WAS MY BUICK LACROSSE 2005. THE CAR KEY JUMP OUT OF THE IGNITION ON TOP OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE KEY WAS BENT INTO THE SHAPE OF A HORSE SHOE AND MY CAR WAS TOTAL IN THAT CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638984

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

60,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

FROM APPROX. 60,000 MILES DRIVERS DOOR WOULD STICK IN THE LOCKED POSITION REGARDLESS OF LOCK SOLENOID ACTUATION. CYCLING DOOR LOCK SOLENOID SEVERAL TO "MANY" TIMES USUALLY LOOSENED IT UP, HOWEVER, AT 80,000 MILES IT STUCK FOR 3 DAYS. DEALER THAT REPLACED THE MECHANISM ADVISED THAT WHEN THE DOOR UNLOCKS, THERE IS A METAL GEAR IN …

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FROM APPROX. 60,000 MILES DRIVERS DOOR WOULD STICK IN THE LOCKED POSITION REGARDLESS OF LOCK SOLENOID ACTUATION. CYCLING DOOR LOCK SOLENOID SEVERAL TO "MANY" TIMES USUALLY LOOSENED IT UP, HOWEVER, AT 80,000 MILES IT STUCK FOR 3 DAYS. DEALER THAT REPLACED THE MECHANISM ADVISED THAT WHEN THE DOOR UNLOCKS, THERE IS A METAL GEAR IN THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM THAT ENGAGES A PLASTIC GEAR THAT MOVES TO ENGAGE THE DOOR HANDLES (IN & OUT) SO WHEN YOU PULL ON EITHER HANDLE THE DOOR OPENS. SO, WHEN THE PLASTIC GEAR WEARS OUT, YOUR DONE. DEALER HAD TO BREAK INTO THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THIS MALFUNCTION. DRIVERS DOOR, PASSENGER DOOR AND NOW, LAST WEEK AT 180,000 MILES THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAVE ALL MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. APPROX. $250 - $300 EACH TIME DEPENDING ON NEED TO BREAK IN. SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU GET LOCKED IN WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604347

5,500 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Structure

WATER LEAK; FRONT AND BACK PASSENGER FOOT WELLS SOAKED AFTER HEAVY RAINFALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311335

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2006
Interior LightingStructure

2005 LACROSSE CXL INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT DO NOT PROPERLY LIGHT SO THAT CONSUMER CAN SEE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150804

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2005
Structure

THE ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD RESULTS IN A REFLECTION OFF THE DASH ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS. 2005 BUICK LACROSS *TS *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142080

9,192 miles · Sep 15, 2005
Structure

2005 BUICK LACROSSE CHROME STRIP THAT LIES ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSES A GLARE WHICH CAN BE BLINDING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE PROBLEM OCCURS FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER. THERE WERE REFLECTIONS AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY DUE TO THE SEVERE SLOPE AND OR ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130207

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.