HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lacrosse years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Exterior Lighting complaints
61 reports2008 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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS FAILED TO WORK WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE HIGH BEAMS AS AN INTERIM FIX DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS FAILED TO WORK WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE HIGH BEAMS AS AN INTERIM FIX DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND WAS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW-BEAM LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW-BEAM LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE DISTORTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY AND THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED AND BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE DISTORTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY AND THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN...UPDATED 04/08/15 *BF UPDATED 04/14/15*JB UPDATED 9/22/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT COVER MELTED ON BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BECOME DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT COVER MELTED ON BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BECOME DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM STORE MY WIFE AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THREE BLOCKS FROM HOME. WE GOT HOME AND I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE RELAY/FUSE BLOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS HOT AND SLIGHTLY SMOLDERING. I WAITED A WHILE AND THE POPPED OFF THE FUSE BLOCK COVER AND SAW THE HDM MODULE (ACCORDING TO THE DIAGRAM IN THE MA…
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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM STORE MY WIFE AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THREE BLOCKS FROM HOME. WE GOT HOME AND I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE RELAY/FUSE BLOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS HOT AND SLIGHTLY SMOLDERING. I WAITED A WHILE AND THE POPPED OFF THE FUSE BLOCK COVER AND SAW THE HDM MODULE (ACCORDING TO THE DIAGRAM IN THE MANUAL) HAD MELTED AND FUSED TO THE BLOCK. THE MELTING AND BURNING HAD ALSO AFFECTED THE SURROUNDING RELAYS AND FUSES. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND SCRAPED AWAY THE BURNT, FUSED PORTION OF THE HDM RELAY AND VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUSES WHICH WERE SINGED OR PARTIALLY MELTED AND REPLACED THE BAD ONES. I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO CHECK THE RELAYS WITH. MY WIFE IS ON OXYGEN 24-7 AND HAD A TANK IN THE PASSENGER FRONT WITH HER AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WHICH, IF A FIRE HAD SPREAD, COULD HAVE BECOME A CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT. AFTER CLEANING OUT THE BURNT PORTION OF THE FUSE BOX OF CHARRED REMAINS FROM THE HDM MODULE, I RE-CONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES AND WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK AND SOME GAUGES APPEAR TO BE ERRATIC IN THEIR READINGS ( FUEL TANK AND MILEAGE). I THEN GOT ONLINE AND FOUND MANY 2006 THRU 2011 BUICK'S HAVE REPORTED THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL ( TO MY KNOWLEDGE) HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY CATASTROPHIC ISSUE INHERENT IN GM AND SPECIFICALLY BUICK PRODUCTS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OR RECALL OF ANY KIND. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALER AND WILL KNOW MORE (HOPEFULLY) IN THE NEAR FUTURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE HEAD LAMP DRIVER MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
FOR THE THIRD TIME, THIS VEHICLE HAS DIED AT A STANDSTILL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT WILL BE PERFORMING WELL UNTIL PARKED. AFTER A SPAN OF TIME, IT WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, THE MOTOR WILL NOT CATCH OR TURN OVER, THE KEY WILL FREEZE OR LOCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE "ON" POSITION, NOTHING IN THE …
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FOR THE THIRD TIME, THIS VEHICLE HAS DIED AT A STANDSTILL FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT WILL BE PERFORMING WELL UNTIL PARKED. AFTER A SPAN OF TIME, IT WILL NOT RESTART. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, THE MOTOR WILL NOT CATCH OR TURN OVER, THE KEY WILL FREEZE OR LOCK IN THE IGNITION IN THE "ON" POSITION, NOTHING IN THE VEHICLE CAN BE OPERATED - GEAR SHIFT, RADIO/PLAYER, DOOR LOCKS, TRUNK LID, ETC., ETC. ETC. THE CAR IS COMPLETELY SEIZED UP. INSPECTION WILL DISCLOSE THAT BATTERY, INCLUDING BRAND NEW BATTERY, IS DEAD ( NO VOLTAGE WHATSOEVER). ONLY WAY TO RESTART VEHICLE IS TO RECHARGE BATTERY. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES OVER SPAN OF 9 TO 10 MONTHS. WHEN BATTERY IS RECHARGED, VEHICLE WILL OPERATE FOR MONTHS UNTIL IT IS DEAD AGAIN. SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY, BUT THERE NO LOGICAL EXPLANATION; NOTHING SUCH AS RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC., IS BEING LEFT ON. SOME AUTO REPAIR PEOPLE BELIEVE THERE IS A SHORT IN THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS; OTHERS BELIEVE THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SYSTEM IS AT FAULT. *JS
UNDERHOOD FUSE BLOCK CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE MICRO-RELAY #35 MELTING DOWN. HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF AND THE BATTERY STARTED DRAINING. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND OPENED THE HOOD TO DISCOVER THAT THE #35 MICRO-RELAY WAS ARCING AND HAD MELTED ITSELF TO MICRO-RELAYS #44 WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND #38 AIR COND…
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UNDERHOOD FUSE BLOCK CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE MICRO-RELAY #35 MELTING DOWN. HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF AND THE BATTERY STARTED DRAINING. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND OPENED THE HOOD TO DISCOVER THAT THE #35 MICRO-RELAY WAS ARCING AND HAD MELTED ITSELF TO MICRO-RELAYS #44 WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND #38 AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND AIR CONDITIONER WAS OFF AT THE TIME. EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS OFF THE RELAY CONTINUED TO ARC AND WAS MELTING THE UNDERHOOD FUSE BLOCK. GRABBED AN INSULATED SET OF PLIERS AND PULLED THE #35 MICRO-RELAY (THE #44 AND #38 RELAY CAME OUT AT THE SAME TIME). ARCING STOPPED WITH THE MICRO-RELAYS REMOVED. I HAVE FILED A PREVIOUS REPORT ON THE #35 HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE MICRO-RELAY, BECAUSE IT HAD TURNED OFF THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AT NIGHT, ON THE HIGHWAY. TURNING THE LIGHT SWITCH TO MANUAL-ON DID NOT TURN THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS BACK ON. I HAD THE #35 HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE MICRO-RELAY REPLACED AND IT TOO PROVED TO BE DEFECTIVE. AFTER JUST A FEW MONTHS, IT STARTED TURNING ON THE HEADLIGHTS ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED-OFF. HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE JUMP STARTED, REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND REPLACED THE #35 HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE MICRO-RELAY, YET AGAIN. THE 3RD #35 HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE MICRO-RELAY, CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, COSTING ME OVER $700 TO REPAIR. APPARENTLY THERE IS NO FUSE TO PREVENT THE MELT-DOWN OF THE MICRO-RELAYS. THERE IS NO CAUTION, AND NO WARNING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, TO ADVISE THE USER ABOUT WHAT TO DO IN THE CASE OF THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY GOING OFF. THERE IS NO PROTECTION AGAINST AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BEING CAUSED BY THE #35 HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE MICRO-RELAY, OR ANY OTHER RELAY FROM STARTING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR
Official recalls
215V519000 · 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
1RQ17002 · 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.
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