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2008 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Buick Lacrosse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

200 reports with mileage · 50 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

77 reports
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140,000 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS SPORADICALLY ILLUMINATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10654325

5,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS SYSTEM WAS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS SYSTEM WAS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #10649588

55,000 miles · Oct 23, 2014
Air Bags

AIRBAG DISPLAY SHOWS AIRBAG OFF INTERMITTENTLY WITH SEATBELT ON WITH AN ADULT IN PASSENGER SEAT WHILE MOVING ON HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649533

71,494 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD TURNED FROM "ON" TO "OFF" WITH 150 POUND PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE RED WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR 2 OR 3 MILES THEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHT TURNED BACK TO "ON" AND THE RED WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED OFF. IT OCCURS…

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PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD TURNED FROM "ON" TO "OFF" WITH 150 POUND PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE RED WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO CAME ON. IT STAYED ON FOR 2 OR 3 MILES THEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHT TURNED BACK TO "ON" AND THE RED WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED OFF. IT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY ON MOST TRIPS, "ON" THEN "OFF" THEN BACK TO "ON". TYPICALLY, THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT WILL STAY IN THE "OFF" POSITION FOR 4 OR 5 MILES. NOW AT 81,737 MILES THE AIR BAG DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHT "ON/OFF" STILL OCCURS. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OCCURRED WHILE CAR WAS STILL IN THE 12 MONTH GM CERTIFIED WARRANTY PERIOD. THE CONDITION WAS REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY DID NOT CONFIRM BY THEIR STATIC CHECK PROCEDURE. IT STILL OCCURS, INTERMITTENTLY, AFTER 10,000 FROM FIRST OBSERVANCE.

NHTSA ODI #10649159

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2014
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN I'M DRIVING AND NO ONE IS EVEN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ANYTHING SITTING ON THE SEAT WEIGHS MUCH LESS THAN THE 80 LBS SPECIFIED IN THE MANUAL. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER SITTING THERE, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE OFF - WHEN THEY SHOUL…

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THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN I'M DRIVING AND NO ONE IS EVEN SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ANYTHING SITTING ON THE SEAT WEIGHS MUCH LESS THAN THE 80 LBS SPECIFIED IN THE MANUAL. SOMETIMES THE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN I HAVE A PASSENGER SITTING THERE, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE OFF - WHEN THEY SHOULD BE ON!!! THERE IS NO EVENT THAT CONSISTENTLY TRIGGERS THE LIGHT COMING ON. I MIGHT BE TURNING OR SLOWING DOWN OR JUST DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD. SOMETIMES, THE LIGHT WILL STAY ON FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, AND SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY ON FOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES IN THE FOUR YEARS I'VE OWNED THE CAR, AND THE FIRST FOUR TIMES, THE DEALER FIXED IT AT NO CHARGE. THIS TIME, THE DEALER SAYS IT "HAS GONE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE PASSENGER DETECTION MODULE AND IT WILL COST YOU $1250 TO FIX IT." A PASSENGER DETECTION MODULES SOUNDS RATHER IMPORTANT TO ME, AND VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT IF THERE'S NO RECALL, IT'S CUSTOMER PAY. WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS MADE ON THIS SITE FOR THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE, I'D SAY IT'S HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEIR OWNERS JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS SITE. IS IT NECESSARY FOR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS BEFORE AN INVESTIGATION IS MADE? I GUESS MY HUSBAND WILL JUST HAVE TO TRUST HIS LUCK - HE'S THE ONE GENERALLY SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648425

53,291 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,291.

NHTSA ODI #10648405

91,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Air Bags

CONTINUATION OF A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT DATED 10-10-14, AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD RANDOMLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF. THE OTHER DAY I HAD A PASSENGER, AND I WAS INTERESTED IN WHAT THE AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT, AND THE PASSENGER "PROTECTION" LIGHT ABOVE THE RADIO, WOULD DO. MY PASSENGER GOT IN AND BUCKLED UP. AT FIRST EVERYTHING WAS…

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CONTINUATION OF A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT DATED 10-10-14, AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASHBOARD RANDOMLY COMES ON AND GOES OFF. THE OTHER DAY I HAD A PASSENGER, AND I WAS INTERESTED IN WHAT THE AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT, AND THE PASSENGER "PROTECTION" LIGHT ABOVE THE RADIO, WOULD DO. MY PASSENGER GOT IN AND BUCKLED UP. AT FIRST EVERYTHING WAS FINE, NO AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT, PASSENGER PROTECTION LIGHT "ON", BUT THEN IT STARTED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND I NOTICED THE PASSENGER "PROTECTION" LIGHT WOULD DISPLAY "OFF". THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONT END COLLISION. A MOMENT LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH DISAPPEARED AND MY PASSENGER "PROTECTION" WENT "ON". WE WERE PROTECTED, FOR THE MOMENT. PROBLEM IS, THE GAME WENT ON THE WHOLE TRIP, "ON", THEN "OFF", "ON", THEN "OFF", EACH TIME THE DASHBOARD LIGHT AND PASSENGER "PROTECTION" LIGHT WORKING IN TANDEM. GUESS TO PROTECT MY PASSENGER THEY WILL HAVE TO SIT IN THE BACK SEAT. I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN LACROSSES TO THE DEALER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT COSTS $1200 TO FIX PROBLEM. SOUNDS LIKE THE BEAN COUNTERS ARE HARD AT WORK FIGURING OUT IF IT WILL BE CHEAPER TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR SETTLE THE LAWSUITS, IN WHICH THERE CLAIM WILL BE THE AUTOMOBILE IS SAFE, AND QUOTING COMEDIAN [XXX], "SAFE ENOUGH TO GET YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE GRAVE." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639386

46,000 miles · Sep 8, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10631503

91,000 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Air Bags

A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE FROM THE LOCAL DEALER, THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL IT HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES, SO I HEADED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR HELP. THEY INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO PUT ANYTHING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD SENSE THE WEIGHT AND THI…

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A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE FROM THE LOCAL DEALER, THE DASHBOARD AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL IT HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES, SO I HEADED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR HELP. THEY INSTRUCTED ME NOT TO PUT ANYTHING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD SENSE THE WEIGHT AND THINK THERE IS A PERSON THERE. SO I DIDN'T, BUT I DID NOTICE THE INDICATOR ABOVE THE RADIO THAT SENSES A PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DIDN'T TURN RED DURING THIS TIME. THEN THE GAME BEGAN. I WOULD PUT MY LUNCH BOX IN THE SEAT ON THE WAY TO WORK, SOMETIMES THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON, SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T. AND, I FOUND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE SWITCH, WHEN ADDING OR REMOVING THE LUNCH BOX. SOMETIMES AFTER REMOVING THE LUNCH BOX THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON, OR JUST COME ON WHEN IT WANTED TO. FOUND OUT HOW TO FIX THAT PROBLEM ALSO, ALBEIT TEMPORARILY. TAKE YOUR FINGERS AND FIRMLY PUSH 4-5 TIMES ALONG THE STITCHING IN THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. WILL TAKE A FEW SECONDS AND THE LIGHT MAY, OR MAY NOT, GO OUT. OR, A QUICK STOP TO GRAB A DRINK WILL RESET THE LIGHT. THE PROBLEM IS, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IF YOU GET IN A CRASH WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON THERE IS A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE YOUR AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I OWNED A 1994 FORD AEROSTAR VAN WHICH I TOOK TO THE DEALER WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THEY WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE THE VAN, FOR FEAR THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT WORK IN A CRASH, AND GAVE ME A LOANER WHILE THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. I DID NOTICE BUICK HAS SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE AIR BAG PROBLEM, STATING "PROBLEM COULD BE CAUSED BY LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER. " (SB-08-09-41-002C) CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD BE THE HOLD-UP IN FIXING THE PROBLEM, JUST HOPING I AM NOT THE FIRST STATISTIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629438

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2014
Air Bags

2008 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DASH PANEL AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF, WHILE DRIVING. A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, REVEALED NOTHING WRONG. *JB UPDATED 09/09/14

NHTSA ODI #10626703

Official recalls

2

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.

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.