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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

299 reports
16,000 miles · Mar 26, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

TAKATA RECALL MY GAUGES DON'T WORK CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH GAS I GOT OR HOW FAST I'M GOING OR THE TEMPERATURE

NHTSA ODI #11081317

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2018
Engine

MY CAR GOES INTO STARTING DISABLE AND IT CUTS THE CAR OFF IN TRAFFIC HAVING ME WAIT FOR ATLEAST 5 TO 10 MINUTES TO RESTART

NHTSA ODI #11078291

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER (COGGIN BUICK GMC IN JACKSONVILLE, 7245 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, (904) 638-1115) WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DEALER (COGGIN BUICK GMC IN JACKSONVILLE, 7245 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, (904) 638-1115) WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC REMEDY TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN TELLING THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE BULB AND, IF THE FAILURE RECURRED, TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS FOR THE LOW BEAMS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11057112

269,000 miles · Nov 8, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED BOUCHER BUICK AT 262-409-2600 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED BOUCHER BUICK AT 262-409-2600 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 269,000.

NHTSA ODI #11044661

269,000 miles · Nov 8, 2017
Exterior Lighting

MY LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT CAUSE. SOMETIMES THEY COME BACK ON AND SOMETIMES THEY STAY INOPERABLE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11044645

124,975 miles · Oct 14, 2017
Exterior Lighting

BOTH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11033381

61,000 miles · Aug 16, 2017
Steering

THE STEERING IS TIGHT, HARD TO TURN THE FRONT WHEELS. IT MAKES A WHINING & GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I'VE HAD IT TO 3 MECH'S, PLUS I CALLED BUICK. THEY ALL SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. IT SEEMS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY 2006 LACROSS' . …

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THE STEERING IS TIGHT, HARD TO TURN THE FRONT WHEELS. IT MAKES A WHINING & GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S RUBBING AGAINST SOMETHING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I'VE HAD IT TO 3 MECH'S, PLUS I CALLED BUICK. THEY ALL SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. IT SEEMS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY 2006 LACROSS' . THIS HAPPENS FROM 0 TO 60 MPH

NHTSA ODI #11015860

156,000 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN. ONLY HIGH BEAMS WORK. MY GRANDSON NOTICED A RECALL HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED. SAME MODEL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.. HE REPLACED HEADLIGHT MODULE AND BOTH BULBS ABOUT 70 DOLLARS LOST. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE GOING DOWN ROAD IN HEAVY RAIN…

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HEADLIGHTS HAVE A MIND OF THEIR OWN. ONLY HIGH BEAMS WORK. MY GRANDSON NOTICED A RECALL HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED. SAME MODEL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.. HE REPLACED HEADLIGHT MODULE AND BOTH BULBS ABOUT 70 DOLLARS LOST. THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHILE GOING DOWN ROAD IN HEAVY RAIN ON 2 LANE

NHTSA ODI #11005170

48,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO VIEW NECESSARY INFORMAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO VIEW NECESSARY INFORMATION WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE AFTERMARKET SEAT COVERING INDICATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V417000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE COVERING TO BE REPLACED DESPITE THE MANUFACTURER ASSURING THEM IT WAS THE SAME MATERIAL USED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RECEIVED A SECOND REPAIR FOR THE ABS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10995890

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ17002 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14291 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SHORTED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ17002 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE RELATED TO THE MANUFACTURER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14291 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10993986

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.