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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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55,700 miles · Feb 11, 2015
Electrical System

I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY, A VERY LARGE ROAR ( LIKE AN AIRPLANE) OCCURRED JUST AS THE ENGINE STARTED. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION FEARFUL OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, NOT KNOWING WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE IGNITION COIL H…

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I TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY, A VERY LARGE ROAR ( LIKE AN AIRPLANE) OCCURRED JUST AS THE ENGINE STARTED. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION FEARFUL OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, NOT KNOWING WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE IGNITION COIL HAD RUPTURED, IGNITION MODULE WAS KNOCKED OUT. THE COST FOR REPAIR: $800+. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INVESTIGATION. THE SECOND REPAIR DIAGNOSIS REPAIR REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP, THE OIL PRESSURE SENDER PUMP AND THE AIR INJECTOR PUMP ( NO CHARGE FOR THIS). COST: $1004.81. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT HOME, THE ENGINE LIGHT LIT UP AGAIN SO I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME THERE WAS A NEED TO REPLACE A EMISSION VALVE.( NO CHARGE). FIVE DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT LIT UP AGAIN. DIAGNOSIS: CODE PO411, AIR INJECTOR PUMP MALFUNCTION. WILL SCHEDULE REPAIR NEXT WEEK ( FEBRUARY 14-21) THIS IGNITION COIL MALFUNCTION CAUSED ELECTRICAL FAILURES TO ELECTRONIC MODULE, THE FUEL PUMP, THE AIR INJECTOR PUMP, THE OIL PRESSURE PUMP AND THE EMISSION VALVE SO FAR, AT GREAT COST TO THE CONSUMER. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE FEAR IS THAT THE IGNITION COIL RUPTURE AND RESULTING FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ENGINE FIRE. THE SOUND WAS DEAFENING AND FELT LIKE AN EXPLOSION. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER OF MY AUTOMOBILES. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682810

117,000 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO OPERATE THE DOOR LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL DOOR LOCKS AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO OPERATE THE DOOR LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL DOOR LOCKS AND THE KEYLESS ENTRY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10681086

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10679250

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2015
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE FLAMES EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RELAY SHORTAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE FLAMES EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RELAY SHORTAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10677049

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2015
Electrical System

2008 BUICK LACROSSE. KEYS GOT STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICES, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10661744

114,000 miles · Dec 5, 2014
Electrical System

OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WITH A FOUR YEAR OLD IN BACK SEAT WHEN VEHICLE JUST DIED WITH NO WARNING. SHE HAD JUST TURNED THE CORNER TRAVELING 20 MPH OR LESS AND HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING VEHICLE TO CURBSIDE. SHE STATED SHE COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND WHEN MY HUSBAND INSPECTED VEHICLE HE FOUND MELTED IGNITION COIL ON CY…

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OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WITH A FOUR YEAR OLD IN BACK SEAT WHEN VEHICLE JUST DIED WITH NO WARNING. SHE HAD JUST TURNED THE CORNER TRAVELING 20 MPH OR LESS AND HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING VEHICLE TO CURBSIDE. SHE STATED SHE COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND WHEN MY HUSBAND INSPECTED VEHICLE HE FOUND MELTED IGNITION COIL ON CYLINDERS 2 & 5, A BLOWN FUSE, AND WHEN TAKEN TO MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT FIRE A BAD IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662302

23,450 miles · Nov 29, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED APPROX. 55MPH THE ORANGE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND SAYS THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED. IT WILL FLUCTUATE BETWEEN BEING DISABLED AND NOT BEING DISABLED. THE RED WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATES ALSO. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SID…

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WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED APPROX. 55MPH THE ORANGE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND SAYS THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED. IT WILL FLUCTUATE BETWEEN BEING DISABLED AND NOT BEING DISABLED. THE RED WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATES ALSO. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT. THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT ARE ALL OVER 125LBS.WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED. IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR. THE PASSENGERS ALL HAVE THEIR SEAT BELTS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661237

Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2014
Electrical System

2008 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GM RECALL# 14299.* LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE IGNITION COIL AND CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10651226

35,000 miles · Oct 23, 2014
Electrical System

THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING AREA. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A CRACKED IGNITION COIL THAT 'FRIED' THE IGNITION MODULE AND CORRESPONDING WIRES. HE ALSO SAID IN THIRTY YEARS HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A VEHICLE …

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THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. IT HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING AREA. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A CRACKED IGNITION COIL THAT 'FRIED' THE IGNITION MODULE AND CORRESPONDING WIRES. HE ALSO SAID IN THIRTY YEARS HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR FOR A VEHICLE WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT. HAD IT HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AND THE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR DIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649379

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX. THE FUSES WERE MELTED AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX HOUSING AND FUSES NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX. THE FUSES WERE MELTED AND BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX HOUSING AND FUSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10644492

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.