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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

84 reports
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49,000 miles · Sep 27, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

-DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK WITH SWITCHES, KEY BOF, AND SOMETIMES MANUALLY. CAR HAD 49000 MILES AND WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD WHEN PROBLEM BEGAN. PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. DEALERSHIP ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $900. CONCERNED THAT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION. -INTERIOR DISPLAY LIGHTING GOES …

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-DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK WITH SWITCHES, KEY BOF, AND SOMETIMES MANUALLY. CAR HAD 49000 MILES AND WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD WHEN PROBLEM BEGAN. PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. DEALERSHIP ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $900. CONCERNED THAT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE IN A EMERGENCY SITUATION. -INTERIOR DISPLAY LIGHTING GOES DIM WHEN HEADLIGHTS COME ON. CAN NOT SEE SOME OF THE DISPLAYED INFORMATION DURING DAYLIGHT. DEALERSHIP SAID IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11030103

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER (PARKER BUICK GMC, 4813 ARENDELL ST, MOREHEAD CITY, NC 28557, 252-726-5103) INDICATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE HDM THREE TIMES, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS CONTINUED TO NOT FUNCTION. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER (PARKER BUICK GMC, 4813 ARENDELL ST, MOREHEAD CITY, NC 28557, 252-726-5103) INDICATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE HDM THREE TIMES, BUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS CONTINUED TO NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ON THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE DEALER FAILED TO REMEDY THE RECALL AFTER THREE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11015665

48,800 miles · Jun 15, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I HAVE MORE THEN ONE ISSUE. FIRST IMPORTANT ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STATE ROAD WITH A PEED LIMIT OF 50 AT 50 MPH. MY CAR LOST POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT SAYS ENGINE REDUCED POWER ALL ACCELERATION WAS LOST WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AT ABOUT 30 AND WAS CLOSE TO A REPAIR SHOP SO GOT THER THEY DIAGNOSED A …

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I HAVE MORE THEN ONE ISSUE. FIRST IMPORTANT ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STATE ROAD WITH A PEED LIMIT OF 50 AT 50 MPH. MY CAR LOST POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT SAYS ENGINE REDUCED POWER ALL ACCELERATION WAS LOST WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AT ABOUT 30 AND WAS CLOSE TO A REPAIR SHOP SO GOT THER THEY DIAGNOSED A THROTTLE SEAL. FIXED AND REPAIRED DECEMBER 30, 2016. 6/14/2017 WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAVE RETURNED TO THE SHOP AND DISCUSSED WITH GM SERVICE CENTER THEY SAY NO SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE IN FORUMS ON LINE. ISSUE 2. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH SPEED, WARNING INFO, RADIO LIGHT DIM FOR NO REASON. ISSUE 3 DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK FROM KEY FOB OR INSIDE CAR HAVE TO WORK MANUALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TURNS OFF EVEN WHEN SOME ONE IN THE SEAT. I HAVE HAD THIS REPAIRED ONCE BUT CONTINUES TO TO THIS

NHTSA ODI #10995303

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10970509

80,000 miles · Feb 10, 2017
Electrical System

MY 2008 BUICK WAS RECALLED BY BUICK FOR SAFETY RECALL 14291 AS INSTRUCTED I MADE AN APPOINT AT CENTRAL BUICK IN NORWOOD MA FOR 08:00 1/11/17 ON ARRIVAL THEY TOOK MY PAPERS AND DECIDED THEY COULDN'T DO THIS SAFETY RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD A "BRANDED TITLE". I BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 YEARS AGO AND IT DOES HAVE A …

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MY 2008 BUICK WAS RECALLED BY BUICK FOR SAFETY RECALL 14291 AS INSTRUCTED I MADE AN APPOINT AT CENTRAL BUICK IN NORWOOD MA FOR 08:00 1/11/17 ON ARRIVAL THEY TOOK MY PAPERS AND DECIDED THEY COULDN'T DO THIS SAFETY RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD A "BRANDED TITLE". I BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 YEARS AGO AND IT DOES HAVE A RECONSTRUCTED TITLE IN MASS DUE TO A PRIOR ACCIDENT THAT WAS FIXED AND INSPECTED PRIOR TO MY BUYING THE CAR. I DON'T SEE WHY BUICK REFUSED TO REPLACE THIS RELAY. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS REFUSE TO WORK DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE RELAY. I HAVE TWICE REPLACED THIS RELAY WITH STANDARD REPLACEMENT PARTS ONLY TO HAVE THEM AGAIN FAIL. PLEASE REVIEW AND ADVISE UPDATED 07/13/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10953866

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2017
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

2008 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, INCOMPLETE IGNITION MODULE RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10947191

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2016
Electrical System

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY

NHTSA ODI #10928293

49,000 miles · Oct 24, 2016
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOORS WERE NOT LOCKING CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK THE DOORS AND THEN ACTIVATE THE LOCKS WITH THE KEY IN ORDER TO SECURE THE DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AND THE ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOORS WERE NOT LOCKING CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK THE DOORS AND THEN ACTIVATE THE LOCKS WITH THE KEY IN ORDER TO SECURE THE DOOR LOCKS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AND THE ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ODI #10918491

90,696 miles · Jun 29, 2016
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POLE, GAS METER, AND TREE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POLE, GAS METER, AND TREE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED FACIAL AND HAND INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED STOMACH INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,696.

NHTSA ODI #10881491

70,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
Electrical System

ALL FOUR DOOR LOCK LATCHES FAILED AT AROUND 70,000 MILES. THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP STATED THAT ALL 4 SENSORS WERE BAD AND REPAIR THEM FOR $1,600. BUICK HAS A PARTS QUALITY ISSUE OR A DESIGN PROBLEM. POSES A SAFETY ISSUE IF IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10875596

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.