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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

What owners actually said

315 reports
48,000 miles · Jan 30, 2012
Steering

THE STEERING IS BECOMING VERY STIFF. CHECKED POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT'S OK. IS THERE A HISTORY OF THIS? HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY RECALL NOTICE OR SERVICE BULLETINS. STEERING COLUMN SEEMS TO BE TOO LOOSE AND RATTLES. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445884

53,000 miles · Dec 27, 2011
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A MECHANISM WITHIN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A MECHANISM WITHIN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #10441323

38,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10439859

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2011
Steering

DATE OF REPAIR 02/16/2011 MILEAGES: 039610 REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE RODS, DISCOVERED WORN WHEN THEY BALANCED BOTH SIDES. THERE WAS ALWAYS A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR IT STILL RETAIN THE CLUCKING NOISE AND SO DECIDED TO GO ON LINE AND MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THERE WERE…

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DATE OF REPAIR 02/16/2011 MILEAGES: 039610 REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE RODS, DISCOVERED WORN WHEN THEY BALANCED BOTH SIDES. THERE WAS ALWAYS A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR IT STILL RETAIN THE CLUCKING NOISE AND SO DECIDED TO GO ON LINE AND MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS THERE SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE AND IS IT LIFE THREADING. WILL THE GOVERNMENT FORCE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439705

94,496 miles · May 13, 2011
Steering

ON OR ABOUT MAY 8, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM MY SON AND HIS FRIEND WERE DRIVING IN THE BUICK. MY SON TRIED TO TURN THE CAR AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TURNED. THEY DROVE THE CAR TO MY HOUSE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. I WENT OUT AND SAW A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID…

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ON OR ABOUT MAY 8, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM MY SON AND HIS FRIEND WERE DRIVING IN THE BUICK. MY SON TRIED TO TURN THE CAR AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TURNED. THEY DROVE THE CAR TO MY HOUSE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. I WENT OUT AND SAW A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS POWER STEERING FLUID. I DID HAVE THIS CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE HOUSE FITTING ON THE POWER STEERING FAILED. HE STATED THIS IS A RE-ENGINEERED GM PART ONLY AVAILABLE VIA GM. HE STATED THAT THE RE-ENGINEERED DESIGN DID NOT ALLOW FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE HOSE SINCE THE PUMP WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO GM. HE QUOTED ME $650 PARTS AND LABOR. I DID CALL GM ON OR ABOUT MAY 10 2011 AND SPOKE WITH BRIONNA. SHE ASKED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO A GM DEALER AT MY EXPENSE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I DID PAY TO HAVE THIS CAR TOWED A 2ND TIME TO COMMUNITY MOTORS. SHE STATED THEY WOULD COMMUNICATE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY ASSISTANCE THEY COULD OFFER. I SPOKE WITH DENNIS FROM COMMUNITY ON MAY 11 2011 AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A P/S STEERING FAILURE AND THE HOSE AND PUMP WOULD NEED REPLACED. "AROUND $900." WAS WHAT I WAS QUOTED. I AGAIN SPOKE WITH BRIONNA ON MAY 11 AND SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD HAVE A DISTRICT REP IN CONTACT WITH ME ONCE HE COMPLETED HIS INVESTIGATION. I SPOKE WITH LARRY ON MAY 11 WHO ASKED SOME QUESTIONS AND TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH ME. THE ENTIRE TIME THE CAR SAT AT THE GM DEALER I RECEIVED 2 CALLS A DAY ASKING ME TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. I STATED THAT GM WAS INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH THEM. DENNIS SAID NO ONE FROM GM HAS TOLD US THEY WILL FIX THE CAR. AS SUCH ON 5/12/2011 I DID GO PICK THIS CAR UP. PLEASE NOTE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AWAY. THE FAILURE IS NOT A COMPLETED FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10401861

79,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLATCH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AS THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS OVERPOWERING GASOLINE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLATCH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR AS THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,400.

NHTSA ODI #10394191

42,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND SPORADICALLY WOULD FAIL TO START. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DEFROSTER WOULD TAKE AN ABNORMALLY LONG TIME TO DEFROST THE WINDOW AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD INDEPENDENTLY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND SPORADICALLY WOULD FAIL TO START. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DEFROSTER WOULD TAKE AN ABNORMALLY LONG TIME TO DEFROST THE WINDOW AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD INDEPENDENTLY TURN OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10389707

35,143 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Steering

MY VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING CLUNKING WHENEVER I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THE STEERING ALSO FELT A BIT LOOSE. I CONTACTED GM FOR VEHICLE RECALLS AND THERE WAS ONE ON THE STEERING COLUMN BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE OR THE IN…

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MY VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING CLUNKING WHENEVER I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THE STEERING ALSO FELT A BIT LOOSE. I CONTACTED GM FOR VEHICLE RECALLS AND THERE WAS ONE ON THE STEERING COLUMN BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE OR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WHICH AS IT TURNS OUT WAS THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THE SHAFT WAS LOOSE INTERNALLY. GM INSISTED I GO TO A GM DEALER FOR SERVICE TO SEE IF I "MIGHT" BE ELIGIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. I TOLD THEM I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS CLOSER AND LESS EXPENSIVE. I OFFERED TO SEND THEM THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. GM STATED WHEN I FILED MY COMPLAINT WITH THEM THAT THEY WILL NOT REVIEW ANY VEHICLE ISSUES UNLESS SERVICED BY A GM DEALER. THEY ALSO OFFERED NO OPINION WHEN I TOLD THEM GM HAS MULTIPLE SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE CLUNKING ISSUE AND THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 15 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA. APPARENTLY, GM WON'T TAKE OWNERSHIP OF DEFECTIVE PARTS UNLESS SOMEONE LOSES STEERING, DIES AND THEY ARE SUED. SO MUCH FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I AM CURIOUS HOW MANY OTHER INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY GM OR OTHER MECHANICS - MAYBE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TWO FRONT DEFECTIVE OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AT 30,000 MILES AND THIS IS WITH GENTLE DRIVING. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART AND DANGEROUS TOO IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10389128

26,000 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Steering

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, BOTH TIE ROD ENDS. THIS IS ALL STEERING RELATED ISSUES ON A BUICK LACROSSE 2005 THAT HAD ONLY 26,333 MILES. I FEEL THAT THIS AUTO SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS AT THIS MILEAGE. I SENT A COPY OF COMPLAINT TO GM THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT ANY OF T…

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, BOTH TIE ROD ENDS. THIS IS ALL STEERING RELATED ISSUES ON A BUICK LACROSSE 2005 THAT HAD ONLY 26,333 MILES. I FEEL THAT THIS AUTO SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS AT THIS MILEAGE. I SENT A COPY OF COMPLAINT TO GM THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS UNTIL THERE WOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR UPDATED 10/06/11. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10386010

140,000 miles · Feb 17, 2011
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT REALIZED HE COULD NOT SEE. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE AUTOMATIC AND HAD APPARENTLY TURNED OFF AFTER HE HAD BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS THAT NIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGHBEAMS TO REACH HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT CALL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT REALIZED HE COULD NOT SEE. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE AUTOMATIC AND HAD APPARENTLY TURNED OFF AFTER HE HAD BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS THAT NIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGHBEAMS TO REACH HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN OCCURRING SINCE DECEMBER 2010. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ODI #10383072

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.