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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

156 reports
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127,900 miles · Mar 20, 2016
Exterior Lighting

BEGINNING TO DRIVE HOME AT NIGHT AND DISCOVERED THAT HEADLAMPS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. STOPPED CAR TO VERIFY THAT HEADLAMPS WERE NOT WORKING. FOUND THAT HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK BUT NOT LOW BEAMS. TRIED RESETTING AUTO HEADLAMPS WITHOUT SUCCESS. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH HIGH BEAMS. ONCE HOME TRIED RESETTING AUTO HEADLAMPS AGAIN…

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BEGINNING TO DRIVE HOME AT NIGHT AND DISCOVERED THAT HEADLAMPS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. STOPPED CAR TO VERIFY THAT HEADLAMPS WERE NOT WORKING. FOUND THAT HIGH BEAMS WOULD WORK BUT NOT LOW BEAMS. TRIED RESETTING AUTO HEADLAMPS WITHOUT SUCCESS. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH HIGH BEAMS. ONCE HOME TRIED RESETTING AUTO HEADLAMPS AGAIN - NO SUCCESS. NOT LIKELY THAT BOTH HEADLAMPS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME BUT CHECKED BULBS AND FUSES FOR LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS - ALL GOOD. HAVE SEEN REPORTS THAT HDM FOR 2006 LACROSSE FAILS AND HAS A RECALL BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL ON NHTSA SITE.

NHTSA ODI #10850628

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ UPDATED 05/16/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10850198

180,000 miles · Mar 17, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO TURN ON. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO TURN ON. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE LISTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10850160

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE REC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10850011

74,000 miles · Mar 3, 2016
Exterior LightingSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE MECHANICAL COUPLING BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HIGH PRESSURE LINE HAD DISINTEGRATED. THERE WAS NO FLEXIBLE FITTING UTILIZING A HOSE ON THE LINE. THE POOR APPLICATION LEFT NO WAY TO ALLOW THE LINE TO ABSORB THE CONSTANT VIBRATION CREATED BY BOLTING THE PUMP TO THE ENGINE AND THE LINE TO THE FRAME. UPDATED 07/18/16.*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER MODULE WAS REPLACED AS A TEMPORARY FIX. UPDATED 08/03/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10839719

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10837929

58,000 miles · Feb 16, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

GM BUICK LA CROSSE HEADLIGHT CONTROL. NHTSA RECALL NOTICE IN 2015. FAILED IN APRIL 2008. OUT OF WARRANTY. REPLACED CONTROL UNIT WITH NEW UNIT COST $1048. SENT DETQILS TO NORTH COUNTY BUICK DEALER IN MARCH 2015. NO ANSWER.

NHTSA ODI #10836315

95,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT HAS BEEN MANY OCCASIONS WHEN WERE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN DAYTIME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL TIMES AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS HAVE WENT OUT AND WE WEREN'T AWARE THAT THEY WEREN'T ON WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT WE HAVE TO UTI…

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THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR WORK INTERMITTENTLY. IT HAS BEEN MANY OCCASIONS WHEN WERE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN DAYTIME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL TIMES AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS HAVE WENT OUT AND WE WEREN'T AWARE THAT THEY WEREN'T ON WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT WE HAVE TO UTILIZE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE AT NIGHT. THIS FIRST STARTED IN THE SUMMER OF 5/2012 AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN TODAY,

NHTSA ODI #10825258

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/16/16*LJ UPDATED 04/05/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10824764

160,000 miles · Feb 7, 2016
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW PROBLEMS WITH HAVING TO REPLACE BULBS IN THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS OF 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. BUT, FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS WHEN I DRIVE CAR AT NIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DIM LIGHTS GO OFF AND I CANNOT SEE A THING. TWO TIMES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED I WAS MEETING ANOTHER CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A HEADON CO…

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I HAVE HAD QUITE A FEW PROBLEMS WITH HAVING TO REPLACE BULBS IN THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS OF 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. BUT, FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS WHEN I DRIVE CAR AT NIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DIM LIGHTS GO OFF AND I CANNOT SEE A THING. TWO TIMES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED I WAS MEETING ANOTHER CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A HEADON COLLISION. THE LIGHTS GO OFF, I HAVE TO SWITCH TO BRIGHT LIGHTS TO DRIVE. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING TO ME AS WELL AS OTHERS. IF I PARK IT FOR AWHILE THEY WILL WORK AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO BE JUST A SHORT WHILE AFTER YOU CRANK CAR AND START DRIVING THAT IT HAPPENS. I HAVE SEEN WHERE THERE ARE RECALLS ON BUICK'S LIGHTING BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL. ONCE I WAS DRIVING ON A FARM TO MARKET HIGHWAY; NEXT TIME, DRIVING ON A CITY STREET IN MOTION BOTH TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10824732

Official recalls

3

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.

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

1

RQ17002 · 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.