IllustrationPASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WANTS OVER $1500 TO REPAIR. *TR
2006 Buick Lacrosse
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Lacrosse years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Buick Lacrosse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 129.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lacrosse years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
170–25K
2425–50K
6050–75K
3975–100K
52100–150K
26150K+
218 reports with mileage · 81 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 156 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports7 fire reports12 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
38 reportsFOR YEARS, GOING BACK TO WHEN IT HAD A WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP EVEN WORKED ON IT FOR THIS PROBLEM AND HAS HAD ONE OR TWO CALLS IN THE YEARS SINCE FOR SAME PROBLEM, SES LIGHT COMES ON, IT USED TO GO OFF AND ON OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOW HAS BEEN ON FOR A YEAR OR SO CONSTANTLY. IT IS FOR DIAGNOSTIC CODE P2440 (SECONDARY AIR INJECTI…
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FOR YEARS, GOING BACK TO WHEN IT HAD A WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP EVEN WORKED ON IT FOR THIS PROBLEM AND HAS HAD ONE OR TWO CALLS IN THE YEARS SINCE FOR SAME PROBLEM, SES LIGHT COMES ON, IT USED TO GO OFF AND ON OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOW HAS BEEN ON FOR A YEAR OR SO CONSTANTLY. IT IS FOR DIAGNOSTIC CODE P2440 (SECONDARY AIR INJECTION VALVE STUCK OPEN). DEALERSHIP REPLACED VALVE AND/OR AIR PUMP YEARS AGO AND SAID IT WOULD FIX IT, BUT IT DIDN'T. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, SES LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN FOR SAME THING. I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID I COULD BRING IT BACK, BUT IT WOULD BE ON MY DIME BECAUSE THEY BARELY GOT IT COVERED THE FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY. WE PUT UP WITH IT FOR A BIT, THEN I PURCHASED A NEW VALVE AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF, LIGHT DID NOT GO OUT AND IT STILL TO THIS DAY SAYS THE VALVE (NEW ONE EVEN) IS STUCK OPEN. PROBLEM IS, WHEN THE SES LIGHT IS ON, THE REMOTE STARTER WON'T WORK, WHICH IS VERY UPSETTING FOR ME AND MY WIFE. FOR YEARS, JUST LIKE THE FIRST PROBLEM LISTED, IT WAS INITIALLY ?FIXED? WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH ONLY WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN! SOMETIMES IT REGISTERS A PERSON, SOMETIMES NOT. IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER WHAT TIME OF YEAR IT IS, OR THE TEMPERATURE IN THE CAR. SOMETIMES IT THINKS THAT MY WIFE (160 LBS) IS A CHILD AND DOESN'T TURN THE AIR BAG ON AND THEN IF WE HIT A BUMP (SOMETIMES WORKS) THEN IT MIGHT TURN IT ON. IT ALSO HAS TIMES THAT IT ALSO TURNS ON THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH WHILE IT SAYS OFF FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG. YEARS AGO WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY SAID THEY ?FIXED IT? INITIALLY, BUT IT WAS JUST A SHORT TIME LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO LET THEM KNOW, THEY SAID JUST LIKE THE PROBLEM LISTED ABOVE, THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW AND THAT I'D HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET, SO I DIDN'T TAKE IT IN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN FROM AN OFF TO AN ON POSITION SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A SIX VEHICLE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN FROM AN OFF TO AN ON POSITION SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS INVOLVED IN A SIX VEHICLE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INVESTIGATED THE AIR BAG CONCERN AND INDICATED THAT THE CRASH LOCATION WOULD NOT WARRANT THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS LATER NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPRXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR/MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE PARTS NEC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPRXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR/MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE PARTS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND HAS NOT GONE OFF. HAVE NOT REPAIRED. UNKNOWN CONSEQUENCES BUT SUSPECT IT COULD DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS EVERTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *TR
2006 BUICK LACROSSE CXL AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. *TR
2006 BUICK LACROSSE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR NOT WORKING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS PERIODICALLY DISPLAYING, BUT IT WAS SIMPLY A PROBLEM WITH THE INDICATOR LIGHT. NOW AT 98,000 MILES, I TOOK THE CAR IN WITH A PROB…
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2006 BUICK LACROSSE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR NOT WORKING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS PERIODICALLY DISPLAYING, BUT IT WAS SIMPLY A PROBLEM WITH THE INDICATOR LIGHT. NOW AT 98,000 MILES, I TOOK THE CAR IN WITH A PROBLEM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THEY POINTED OUT TO ME THAT IN ADDITION TO THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MALFUNCTIONING, THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ISN'T WORKING, WHICH IS WHAT THE LIGHT HAS BEEN INDICATING ALL ALONG. SO WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT, IT DOESN'T RELAY THAT INFO TO THE AIRBAG. SO I'VE BEEN DRIVING OVER 30,000 MILES WITH NO WORKING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. FIXING THE PROBLEM WILL COST NEARLY $1000. WAS THERE ANY RECALL RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, OR WERE THERE ENOUGH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO INITIATE ONE? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000.
AIR BAG WILL SOMETIMES REGISTER WHEN MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. IT IS SUPPOSE TO AUTOMATICALLY DETECT THEIR WEIGHT AND COME ON OR NOT DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THEY WEIGH. THE FACT THAT IT REGISTERS SOMETIMES AND DOES NOT AT OTHERS HAS ME CONCERNED. I SAW A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND WAS WONDERING IF …
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AIR BAG WILL SOMETIMES REGISTER WHEN MY CHILDREN ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. IT IS SUPPOSE TO AUTOMATICALLY DETECT THEIR WEIGHT AND COME ON OR NOT DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH THEY WEIGH. THE FACT THAT IT REGISTERS SOMETIMES AND DOES NOT AT OTHERS HAS ME CONCERNED. I SAW A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND WAS WONDERING IF MY CAR IS AFFECTED IN THE RECALL. IT IS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. *TR
Official recalls
315V519000 · 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.
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
1RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.