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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

Engine complaints

17 reports
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61,000 miles · Jan 5, 2020
Air BagsEnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND I'VE HAD CLOSE CALLS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SIDE STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11297251

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

15,400 miles · Feb 9, 2017
EnginePower TrainWheels

IVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED CAR. I HAVE A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. SHAKING ,NOISES, WHEELS, TURN CAR ON AND IT TUNS OFF., IVE HAD 3 ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON SINCE IVE HAD CAR. P0300 CODE. PAID 495 FOR THIS CODE.VERY UPSET TO FIND OUT ITS A RECALL ON WHAT THEY FITS. AND THE CALL IS MESSING UP AGAIN.IVE ON…

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IVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED CAR. I HAVE A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. SHAKING ,NOISES, WHEELS, TURN CAR ON AND IT TUNS OFF., IVE HAD 3 ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON SINCE IVE HAD CAR. P0300 CODE. PAID 495 FOR THIS CODE.VERY UPSET TO FIND OUT ITS A RECALL ON WHAT THEY FITS. AND THE CALL IS MESSING UP AGAIN.IVE ONLY HAD CAR BACK 6 DAYS. ROTORS HAVE A RECALL ON THEM. NO ONE HAS SENT ANY NOTICE. THIS NEED TAKING CARE OF ASAP. TURNING STEERING WHEEL AND HERE ALL KINDS OF CRACKS. TURN HEATER ON AND IM FREEZING FOR 30 MINS. BEFORE GET ANY HEAT. IM SCARED I MIGHT HAVE A WRECK. I CANT ROAD AT NIGHT WITH LIGHTS.

NHTSA ODI #10953736

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ECU NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10876760

60,000 miles · Sep 15, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT.THEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT WORK. A NOTICE APPEARED ON THE DASH CONTROL: "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". IF I HELD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOO…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT.THEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT WORK. A NOTICE APPEARED ON THE DASH CONTROL: "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" AND "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL". IF I HELD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. I COULD THEN MAINTAIN SPEED BY ALTERNATELY STEPPING ON AND RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL QUICKLY. ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT IS A VERY SLOW AND DISRUPTIVE (TO TRAFFIC) PROCESS. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAS FAILED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS BEGUN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN DURING THIS PERIOD OF MALFUNCTION, SUCH THAT I HAVE HAD TO RIDE THE BRAKE PEDAL. ON SOME OCCASIONS THIS PROBLEM HAS REMEDIED ITSELF AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, WITH TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF TO REBOOT. THE PROBLEM CAN LAST FOR DAYS AT A TIME. I HAVE REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR TO NO AVAIL. INTERESTINGLY, I ALSO OWNED (UNTIL LAST WEEK) A 2007 LACROSSE WHICH DOES THE EXACT SAME THING, AND HAS ALSO HAD THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR REPLACED WITH NO LUCK. I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE DESCRIPTIONS OF THIS BY PEOPLE ONLINE, DESCRIBING EXACTLY THE SAME CONDITIONS AND WARNINGS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WHEN IT HAPPENS, AS I CANNOT SAFELY ACCELERATE IN BUSY TRAFFIC, AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN TO SPEEDS UNSAFE FOR THE CONDITIONS. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE GM DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS, IN THAT I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2 LACROSSES. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10764032

136,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL AND MOTHER BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL AND MOTHER BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST COIL REPLACEMENT, HE ASKED THE DEALER IF IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT IN 2012, IN WHICH THE COIL AND MOTHER BOARD WERE REPLACED, THE EXACT FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2015. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE COIL AND MOTHER BOARD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700. DURING BOTH INCIDENTS, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING. UPDATED 01/05/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10762846

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2015
Engine

AFTER HAVING A GM DEALER (ROBERTS-ROBINSON BUICK GMC - EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO.) REPAIR THE FACTORY RECALL KEY ISSUE. THE CAR STILL STALLS AT HIWAY SPEEDS. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE "POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE", FINALLY, AFTER 3 VISITS TO THE DEALER. I'VE READ HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE WITH OWNERS OF BUICK PRODUCTS SIMI…

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AFTER HAVING A GM DEALER (ROBERTS-ROBINSON BUICK GMC - EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO.) REPAIR THE FACTORY RECALL KEY ISSUE. THE CAR STILL STALLS AT HIWAY SPEEDS. WAS TOLD IT WAS THE "POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE", FINALLY, AFTER 3 VISITS TO THE DEALER. I'VE READ HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE WITH OWNERS OF BUICK PRODUCTS SIMILAR OR THE SAME HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE A VERY SERIOUS HEALTH HAZZARD. ALTHOUGH MY DEALER HAS DONE ALL THEY COULD AND HAVE BEEN VERY ACCOMODATING, IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL THAT IS HAVING OR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM TO GET HELP FROM GM SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY WIDE-SPREAD & COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10716048

93,677 miles · Oct 6, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

I WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE NEITHER THE BRAKES OR POWER STEERING WOULD WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641598

39,451 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ON A QUIET STREET AND SO I COULD STOP CURBSIDE. LIGHTS ETC. WORKED BUT POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ENGINE WERE ALL DEAD. THE CAUSE WAS A CRACKED IGNITION COIL THAT SHORTED AND "FRIED" THE IGNITION MODULE. THIS WAS AN ORIGINAL-EQUIPMENT PART, PROBABLY …

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THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ON A QUIET STREET AND SO I COULD STOP CURBSIDE. LIGHTS ETC. WORKED BUT POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ENGINE WERE ALL DEAD. THE CAUSE WAS A CRACKED IGNITION COIL THAT SHORTED AND "FRIED" THE IGNITION MODULE. THIS WAS AN ORIGINAL-EQUIPMENT PART, PROBABLY A DELPHI GN10123 (FROM MY INTERNET RESEARCH; I COULD BE WRONG). HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGH-SPEED ROAD, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641380

131,154 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,154.

NHTSA ODI #10639220

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.