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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
19,446 miles · Sep 24, 2007
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

2005 BUICK LACROSSE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES UNDER RECALL. CUSTOMER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE BRAKES WOULD NOT BE APPLIED. SHE WAS TOLD TWO WEEKS BEFORE REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER WERE DIM MOST OF THE TIME AND S…

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2005 BUICK LACROSSE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES UNDER RECALL. CUSTOMER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE BRAKES WOULD NOT BE APPLIED. SHE WAS TOLD TWO WEEKS BEFORE REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER WERE DIM MOST OF THE TIME AND SOMETIMES DISAPPEARED ALTOGETHER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR INTERIOR ILLUMINATION TO DIM/BRIGHTEN DUE TO VOLTAGE DEMAND AND/OR AMBIENT LIGHT CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, A PROBLEM WITH A COMPUTER CHIP OR THE BATTERY VOLTAGE. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE LEAKED DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204874

55 miles · Aug 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN ACCELERATING , ENTERING A THRU WAY OR PASSING A CAR IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO STALL. WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO KICK IN, MY FOOT IS GOING DOWN ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR IS NOT RESPONDING AT ALL. ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES WHEN GOING UP RAMP TO THRU WAYS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198685

3,500 miles · May 4, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TO ALL 2005 BUICK LACROSSE OWNERS. IF YOU ARE HEARING A GRUMBLING NOISE LIKE SAND BETWEEN BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR, YOU MAY HAVE THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THESE PADS. I HAD MINE REPLACED WHEN THE CAR HAD 5000 MILES ON IT. GM WILL NOT NOTIFY THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THIS ITEM. YOU WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER…

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TO ALL 2005 BUICK LACROSSE OWNERS. IF YOU ARE HEARING A GRUMBLING NOISE LIKE SAND BETWEEN BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR, YOU MAY HAVE THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THESE PADS. I HAD MINE REPLACED WHEN THE CAR HAD 5000 MILES ON IT. GM WILL NOT NOTIFY THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THIS ITEM. YOU WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND COMPLAIN LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE RELATED TO THE BUICK PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE HAD. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10189789

11,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Tires

TIRES, VIBRATION THIS INFORMATION IS FOR ALL 2005 BUICK LACROSSE OWNERS. THERE IS A BULLETIN ON THE GOODYEAR TIRES, WHICH MAY BE OUT OF ROUND OR HAD A BAD BATCH OF RUBBER ADDED TO THE TIRES CAUSING OUT ROUNDNESS OR VIBRATION PROBLEMS. GM HAS NOT TOLD ANY BUICK LACROSSE OWNERS OF THIS UNLESS THEY HAVE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE HAD ALL …

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TIRES, VIBRATION THIS INFORMATION IS FOR ALL 2005 BUICK LACROSSE OWNERS. THERE IS A BULLETIN ON THE GOODYEAR TIRES, WHICH MAY BE OUT OF ROUND OR HAD A BAD BATCH OF RUBBER ADDED TO THE TIRES CAUSING OUT ROUNDNESS OR VIBRATION PROBLEMS. GM HAS NOT TOLD ANY BUICK LACROSSE OWNERS OF THIS UNLESS THEY HAVE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE HAD ALL 4 TIRE REPLACED ON MINE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. BUICK LACROSSE OWNERS SHOULD SEE THEIR DEALERS ON THIS MATTER TO SEE IF THEIR TIRES ARE ON THAT LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189378

7,000 miles · Mar 26, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE CXL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE ENTERING A HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE, PUT A TICKET INTO MACHINE TO OPEN THE GATE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARDS, AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND THEM. THEN , THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE GATE THAT WENT UP AND DOWN IN A PARKING GARAGE. TH…

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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE CXL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE ENTERING A HOSPITAL PARKING GARAGE, PUT A TICKET INTO MACHINE TO OPEN THE GATE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARDS, AND HIT THE CAR BEHIND THEM. THEN , THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE GATE THAT WENT UP AND DOWN IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AND FENDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SECURITY GUARD ON THE SCENE MADE A REPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WOULD ATTEMPT TO GET A COPY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 7,000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10186145

28,000 miles · Mar 19, 2007
Electronic Stability ControlEquipmentService Brakes, Air

THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHTS COME ON DURING WET WEATHER AND OR TURNING. THE ANTI-LOCKS BRAKES FAIL TO WORK UNLESS PRESSED COMPLETELY DOWN. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURED AT THIS TIME, BUT A FEW CLOSE CALLS. THE CAR IS BEING RETURNED TO A GM DEALER TO INSPECT AND REPORT THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS HAD A SPONGY FEELI…

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THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHTS COME ON DURING WET WEATHER AND OR TURNING. THE ANTI-LOCKS BRAKES FAIL TO WORK UNLESS PRESSED COMPLETELY DOWN. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURED AT THIS TIME, BUT A FEW CLOSE CALLS. THE CAR IS BEING RETURNED TO A GM DEALER TO INSPECT AND REPORT THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS HAD A SPONGY FEELING SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE AND SINCE THE BRAKE RECALL WAS ADJUSTED. I WOULD HOPE THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE THERE IS A FATAL INCIDENT SINCE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES BECOME VERY NON-RESPONSIVE WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILS.

NHTSA ODI #10185510

35,800 miles · Mar 18, 2007
Electrical System

UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND APPROACHING THE 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT THE CAR SEEMED TO STALL. THE ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT LOST ALL POWER. LETTING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REGAIN POWER UNTIL THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED AGAIN. I DID THIS NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL THE CAR FINALLY DIED AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER THE LON…

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UPON ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND APPROACHING THE 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT THE CAR SEEMED TO STALL. THE ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT LOST ALL POWER. LETTING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REGAIN POWER UNTIL THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED AGAIN. I DID THIS NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL THE CAR FINALLY DIED AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER THE LONG LINE OF CARS PASSED BY I GOT THE CAR STARTED AND KEPT IT IN FIRST GEAR UNTIL I WAS MORE SURE IT COULD KEEP RUNNING. IT BEHAVED NORMALLY AFTER THAT. WHEN I GOT HOME MY WIFE CONFIDED IT HAPPENED TO HER ONCE TOO.

NHTSA ODI #10185468

11,000 miles · Mar 9, 2007
Tires

HAVE HAD A VIBRATION PROBLEM WITH 2005 BUICK LACROSSE SENSE 11000 MILES AND MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED 1 TIRE THE FIRST TIME, ANOTHER TIRE THE SECOND TIME, AND TWO MORE THE THIRD TIME. THE FORTH TRIP NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AS FAR AS I COULD SEE, AS I STILL HAVE THE VIBRATION, DEALER MADE THE REMARK THAT THERE WAS…

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HAVE HAD A VIBRATION PROBLEM WITH 2005 BUICK LACROSSE SENSE 11000 MILES AND MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED 1 TIRE THE FIRST TIME, ANOTHER TIRE THE SECOND TIME, AND TWO MORE THE THIRD TIME. THE FORTH TRIP NO ACTION WAS TAKEN AS FAR AS I COULD SEE, AS I STILL HAVE THE VIBRATION, DEALER MADE THE REMARK THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WHEN HE TEST DROVE IT. WE BOTH WENT OUT AGAIN AND I TOLD HIM WHEN THE VIBRATION STARTED AND AGREED THAT HE COULD FEEL IT. SAID ANOTHER SET OF TIRES MAY OR MAY NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE BRAND OF TIRES USED. I AM TIRED OF TAKING THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND HAVING TO WAIT OR LEAVE IT ALL DAY AND IT STILL COMES BACK THE SAME WAY. I FEEL LIKE GM SHOULD GET INVOLVED IN THIS BUT THE DEALER HAS NOT YET DONE SO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184651

11,000 miles · Mar 9, 2007
Tires

HAVE HAD A VIBRATION PROBLEM WITH 2005 BUICK LACROSS SINCE 11000 MILES. MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED TIRES ON LAST TRY. STILL HAVE VIBRATION PROBLEM. DEALER MADE REMARK THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN SEE OR FEEL, BUT WAS AGAIN DRIVEN WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR AND TOLD HIM WHEN I COULD FEEL IT. HE AGREED …

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HAVE HAD A VIBRATION PROBLEM WITH 2005 BUICK LACROSS SINCE 11000 MILES. MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED TIRES ON LAST TRY. STILL HAVE VIBRATION PROBLEM. DEALER MADE REMARK THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN SEE OR FEEL, BUT WAS AGAIN DRIVEN WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR AND TOLD HIM WHEN I COULD FEEL IT. HE AGREED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL VIBRATION BUT ANOTHER SET OF TIRES MAY OR MAY NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I AM TIRED OF TAKING MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND LEAVING IT AND BE WITHOUT A CAR. ITS TIME TO GET GM GI GETS INVOLED IN THIS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184608

31,000 miles · Nov 14, 2006
Seats

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ADJUSTING THE DRIVER SEAT, IT WILL NOT ADJUST ENOUGH FOR A SMALLER PERSON. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE SEATS PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173441

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.