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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

Electrical System complaints

84 reports
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90,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WHERE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AS IF IT WERE ABOUT TO STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT WHERE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10759590

70,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Electrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PTS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SEATS OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR AND THE PTS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PTS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE SEATS OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR AND THE PTS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PTS MODULE WAS REPLACED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10749171

64,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

I BOUGHT THIS LOVELY CAR AND THOUGHT I GOT A GREAT DEAL-NOW I WONDER WHAT I WAS THINKING!! THE CAR DROVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP BEAUTIFULLY, BUT AFTER 5 DAYS OF OWNING IT I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. I NOW HAVE THAT PROBLEM ANY TIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT GOES …

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I BOUGHT THIS LOVELY CAR AND THOUGHT I GOT A GREAT DEAL-NOW I WONDER WHAT I WAS THINKING!! THE CAR DROVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP BEAUTIFULLY, BUT AFTER 5 DAYS OF OWNING IT I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. I NOW HAVE THAT PROBLEM ANY TIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON WHILE THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED AND LAST NIGHT I LOOKED OUTSIDE, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. NOTHING I DID WOULD MAKE THEM STAY OFF OTHER THAN DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE ELECTRICAL ON THIS CAR IS OBVIOUSLY A NIGHTMARE AND I WILL BE LOOKING IN TO TRADING THIS CAR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE :(

NHTSA ODI #10748308

55,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF THE DOORS BECAME INOPERABLE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 09/18/15*LJ UPDATED 11/22/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10734120

90,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

THE CAR'S AIR BAG LIGHT BY THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT NEAR GLOVE COMPARTMENT TURNS TO OFF WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. IN JUNE, I TOOK THE CAR INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHA…

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THE CAR'S AIR BAG LIGHT BY THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT NEAR GLOVE COMPARTMENT TURNS TO OFF WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. IN JUNE, I TOOK THE CAR INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE COMPUTER DOESN'T STORE A CODE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TRIED TO IMPROVE THE CONNECTION TO THE PASSENGER SEAT AND "RELEARNED" THE COMPUTER; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. MECHANIC SAID IT "MIGHT" BE A $1,000 FIX WHICH INVOLVES PART OF THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION ITSELF! IT COST ME $100 TO FIND OUT THIS MUCH AND ATTEMPT A CORRECTION, BUT $1,000 IS RIDICULOUS; ESPECIALLY FOR A "MAYBE" FIX. I SEE OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, TOO. I'VE ALREADY HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY FIX AT THE DEALERSHIP. I ALSO ALREADY HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS TURNING OFF AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD; OUR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIXED THAT AND I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE GM REIMBURSEMENT ON THAT. HOPING WE CAN GET GM TO FIX THIS AIR BAG PROBLEM BEFORE IT CAUSES INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #10731779

27,000 miles · Jun 1, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS WORKING FINE. THE NEXT DAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS WORKING FINE. THE NEXT DAY, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA ODI #10722744

32,000 miles · May 12, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH KEEPS GOING ON AND OFF, INDICATING THE AIR BAGS ARE OFF, THEN ON. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, MORE TIMES THAN NOT IT INDICATES THE AIR BAG IS OFF

NHTSA ODI #10716036

40,000 miles · May 4, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WARNING CAME ON, AND CAR SLOWED ALMOST TO A STOP, GOT MESSAGE ON DASH THAT TRACTION STABILITY WAS A PROBLEM. PROBLEM WENT AWAY AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CAR SLOWED DOWN ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD , THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE OF A PROBLEM AS THE MONTHS WENT BY, TOOK TO …

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DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WARNING CAME ON, AND CAR SLOWED ALMOST TO A STOP, GOT MESSAGE ON DASH THAT TRACTION STABILITY WAS A PROBLEM. PROBLEM WENT AWAY AND SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CAR SLOWED DOWN ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, HAD TO LEAVE THE ROAD , THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE OF A PROBLEM AS THE MONTHS WENT BY, TOOK TO THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, IT MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE KEY PROBLEM, WHICH WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER SO FAR SO GOOD. NOW THE DOOR LOCKS ARE FAILING, REAR PASSENGER WAS THE FIRST TO GO, NOW FRONT LOCKS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS BUICK I ONLY HAVE A LITTLE OVER 50,0000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714297

27,000 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 8/10/15*CN UPDATED 10/11/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10713596

39,024 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2008 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST FORM FOR IGNITION RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10689355

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.