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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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

14 reports
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168,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED TO LOCK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11058115

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

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

2008 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY DOOR LOCKS AND REMOTE KEY MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THREE OUT OF THE FOUR DOORS, DID NOT OPEN OR CLOSE WHEN USING THE REMOTE OR THE KEY. *JB UPDATED 02/01/16.8JB

NHTSA ODI #10694532

10,078 miles · Aug 11, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOCK FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED WHEN ACTIVATING THE KEY FOB TO CHECK IF THE DOOR WAS LOCKED, THE REAR DOOR ALARM SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR L…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOCK FAILED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED WHEN ACTIVATING THE KEY FOB TO CHECK IF THE DOOR WAS LOCKED, THE REAR DOOR ALARM SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,078.

NHTSA ODI #10747767

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

36,500 miles · Jul 27, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPERATE WITH FOB REMOTE PASSENGER REAR DOOR WILL NOT LOCK/ UNLOCK AT ALL , OTHER DOORS MAY OR MAY NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WHEN PUT IN DRIVE OR PARK. FOB WILL SOUND HORN FLASH LIGHTS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616619

27,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCK FAILS TO UN-LOCK OR LOCK WHEN ACCESSED WITH THE KEY FOB. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED SPORADICALLY. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE (OR WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF) THE DOOR DOESN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. OTHER DOOR LOCKS ARE STARTING TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM. THE MILEAGE OF VEHICLE WAS 27,00…

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THE PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCK FAILS TO UN-LOCK OR LOCK WHEN ACCESSED WITH THE KEY FOB. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED SPORADICALLY. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE (OR WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF) THE DOOR DOESN'T LOCK OR UNLOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. OTHER DOOR LOCKS ARE STARTING TO HAVE SAME PROBLEM. THE MILEAGE OF VEHICLE WAS 27,000 AND DOOR LOCK PROBLEMS BEGAN MARCH 17, 2014. HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS ON INTERNET WEBSITES STATING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 2005 TO 2012 BUICK LACROSSE VEHICLES AND POSSIBLY OTHER GM VEHICLES. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD IF DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK IN THE EVENT OF A WRECK, ETC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574953

36,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOUR POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLATCH OR LATCH WHEN ACCESSED THEM WITH THE KEY FOB. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOUR POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLATCH OR LATCH WHEN ACCESSED THEM WITH THE KEY FOB. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10531650

58,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK EITHER WITH DOOR SWITCHES OR THE REMOTE FAB. ONLY WAY TO LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS IS TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS, EXCEPT ONE DOOR WHICH WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH KEY. REMOTE START DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE DOOR CAN'T BE LOCKED WITH FAB. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT 3 DOORS NEEDED TO HAVE THE ACTU…

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THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK EITHER WITH DOOR SWITCHES OR THE REMOTE FAB. ONLY WAY TO LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS IS TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK DOORS, EXCEPT ONE DOOR WHICH WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH KEY. REMOTE START DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE DOOR CAN'T BE LOCKED WITH FAB. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT 3 DOORS NEEDED TO HAVE THE ACTUATORS REPLACED. PRICED OVER $750.00. DEALER, EMERSON CHEVY-BUICK OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE CONTROL UNIT THAT SENDS SIGNALS TO ACTUATORS, BOTH BY DOOR SWITCHES AND THE FAB. BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS FILED I AM NOT ALONE. THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM, BUT A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AS DRIVER'S DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN KEY REMOVED AFTER STOPPING.-[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512176

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.