PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AT TIMES WHEN SEAT OCCUPIED. *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.
What owners actually said
250 reportsAIRBAG LIGHT CONSISTENTLY GOING OFF AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HAVE IT AT THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES BUT THE SAME PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
MY PASSENGER AIRBAG HAS NOT BEEN WORKING SINCE 2010.WE TOOK IT TO MCEELVEEN BUICK IN SUMMERVILLE,SC IN 2011.THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS. NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE COULDN'T AFFORD IT. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS MODEL,BUT ON THE ENCLAVE? *TR
AIR BAG REGISTERED AS OFF WHEN A PERSON WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND AFTER 18 MONTHS THE SAME PROBLEM IS RECURRING. THE AIR BAG WILL BE ON THEN SWITCH OFF AND ON ALL WHILE A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND NOT DOING ANYTHING OTHER THAN SITTING. CURRENT MILEAGE FOR 2ND RECURRENCE IS 46,150. AL…
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AIR BAG REGISTERED AS OFF WHEN A PERSON WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND AFTER 18 MONTHS THE SAME PROBLEM IS RECURRING. THE AIR BAG WILL BE ON THEN SWITCH OFF AND ON ALL WHILE A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND NOT DOING ANYTHING OTHER THAN SITTING. CURRENT MILEAGE FOR 2ND RECURRENCE IS 46,150. ALSO THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE GOING OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HIGH BEAMS MUST BE USED WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN OR LOCK WHEN THE REMOTE IS USED OR THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. THE HOOD WILL ALSO NOT STAY UP AS THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS DO NOT HOLD. *TR
I HAVE SPENT THE ENTIRE SUMMER BEING STUCK AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY AND NIGHT. I CAN GET IN MY CAR AND IT WILL NOT START. THE STARTING DISABLED/THEFT DETERRENT FEATURE POPS UP ON THE EIC. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT, KEY-FOB, KEYS, DOOR HANDLES, AND TRANSPONDER MODULE AND IT STILL IS CAUSIN…
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I HAVE SPENT THE ENTIRE SUMMER BEING STUCK AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY AND NIGHT. I CAN GET IN MY CAR AND IT WILL NOT START. THE STARTING DISABLED/THEFT DETERRENT FEATURE POPS UP ON THE EIC. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT, KEY-FOB, KEYS, DOOR HANDLES, AND TRANSPONDER MODULE AND IT STILL IS CAUSING A PROBLEM. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR!? *TR
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR FAILS REPEATEDLY (AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR SWITCHES TO OFF) WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SEAT BELT IS SECURED. IT BEGAN HAPPENING ON RARE OCCASIONS, BUT HAS PROGRESSED TO EVERY TIME I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. IT USUALLY PERSISTS…
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THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR FAILS REPEATEDLY (AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR SWITCHES TO OFF) WHEN AN ADULT IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SEAT BELT IS SECURED. IT BEGAN HAPPENING ON RARE OCCASIONS, BUT HAS PROGRESSED TO EVERY TIME I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. IT USUALLY PERSISTS FOR ABOUT 20 MILES OR SO, AND THEN REVERTS BACK TO NORMAL. THE DEALER INVESTIGATED AND SAID THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS WELL OVER $1,000 AND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE THE LABOR. IT SEEMS THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE, AND WITH THE EXORBITANT COST OF A REPLACEMENT PART, GM NEED TO MAKE SOME ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AT A REASONABLE COST. *TR
WEDNESDAY MORNING, I HAD AN APPOINTMENT, THEN STOPPED AT THE STORE, CAME HOME PULLED INTO THE GARAGE, CAME IN THE HOUSE, MY HUSBAND WAS OUTSIDE, & SMELLED RUBBER BURNING, HE WENT OUT FRONT TO CHECK, I HAD LEFT THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN, HE TURNED AROUND & LOOKED IN THE GARAGE, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE WHOL…
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WEDNESDAY MORNING, I HAD AN APPOINTMENT, THEN STOPPED AT THE STORE, CAME HOME PULLED INTO THE GARAGE, CAME IN THE HOUSE, MY HUSBAND WAS OUTSIDE, & SMELLED RUBBER BURNING, HE WENT OUT FRONT TO CHECK, I HAD LEFT THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN, HE TURNED AROUND & LOOKED IN THE GARAGE, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE WHOLE RELAY SWITCH BOX WAS MELTING & THE SMOKE WAS VERY BAD, HE GOT THE BATTERY CABLES OFF. I TOOK AN EXTRA WARRANTY ON THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BUT AM TOLD IT DOES NOT COVER ELECTRICAL FIRES, WHAT A RIP OFF, I TRADED AN 2001 BUICK LIMITED ON THIS 2008 BUICK LACROSSE, ON 07/17/2013. I AM REALLY UPSET ABOUT THIS, & WITH THE DEALER SHIP, & GENERAL MOTORS. I AM TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM, & IT IS VERY RARE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT SEE ON THE WEB. *TR
I TURNED RIGHT ONTO A VERY STEEPLY GRADED RURAL ROAD. THE ROAD HAS 3 SERVICE RAMPS TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, RT 28N. IT ALSO HAS 1 ROAD THAT ALLOWS A R/L ACCESS TO BURTON AND A CROSS TRAFFIC ACCESS TO 28N. I HAD JUST STARTED THE DESCENT DOWN BURTON WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE TWICE TO REDUCE SPEED;…
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I TURNED RIGHT ONTO A VERY STEEPLY GRADED RURAL ROAD. THE ROAD HAS 3 SERVICE RAMPS TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, RT 28N. IT ALSO HAS 1 ROAD THAT ALLOWS A R/L ACCESS TO BURTON AND A CROSS TRAFFIC ACCESS TO 28N. I HAD JUST STARTED THE DESCENT DOWN BURTON WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE TWICE TO REDUCE SPEED; IT WAS NON-RESPONSIVE. THE CAR CONTINUE TO SPEED DOWN THE HILL FOR APPROXIMATELY 3/4 MILE. THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN ABOUT 1/2 MILE BEYOND THE ACCESS ROAD TO 28 N. WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO A GRAVEL/WEED "SHOULDER" I FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS ALSO OUT. I COULD NOT PULL COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD, THUS CREATING A DANGER TO ANY CAR ON BURTON ROAD. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY INOPERABLE. IT HAD TO BE TOWED 20 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP LATE AT NIGHT. THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED THE 50K MILE BUICK INSPECTION. ON THREE PRIOR OCCASIONS, THOUGH, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH A WINDOW MALFUNCTION, AND TWO DOORS LATCHES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE SERVICE REPORT STATES THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION COIL AND MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE IGNITION MODULE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SAME ASSEMBLY DESIGN WAS USED IN THE BUICK LESABRE, THE CHEVY IMPALA, AND ONE OTHER BUICK MODEL. BUICK APOLOGIZED FOR THE FAILURE OF THESE COMPONENTS AND FOR PUTTING ME AND MY PASSENGERS INTO WHAT WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BAIERL CHEVROLET (A QUALITY DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE ORGANIZATION) THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER OWNERS, BUT NONE HAD BEEN IN THE SITUATION I WAS IN. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE I FOUND NO INDICATIONS ON THE BUICK WEBSITE THAT SUCH FAILURES WERE POSSIBLE. HAVING LOST TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR AND ITS DESIGN, THAT I TRADED IT IN FOR ANOTHER CAR AND TOOK ON EXPENSES THAT I HAD NOT BUDGETED FOR. *JB
I HAVE HAD TWO ISSUES INVOLVING THE NEED TO REPLACE WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE THE PASSENGER PRESENCE AIRBAG SENSOR. THIS ITEM CONSISTS OF A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY, THE ACTUAL SEAT PASSENGER SENSOR/SCALE ASSEMBLE AND THE ASSOCIATED COMPUTER. AT ABOUT 18,500 WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. THERE …
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I HAVE HAD TWO ISSUES INVOLVING THE NEED TO REPLACE WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE THE PASSENGER PRESENCE AIRBAG SENSOR. THIS ITEM CONSISTS OF A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY, THE ACTUAL SEAT PASSENGER SENSOR/SCALE ASSEMBLE AND THE ASSOCIATED COMPUTER. AT ABOUT 18,500 WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. THERE WAS A PASSENGER SETTING ON THE SEAT IN EXCESS OF 125 POUNDS WEARING A SEAT BELT. AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND TESTS ,AT 24,008 MILES THE BUICK DEALER REPLACED AN ITEM LISTED ON THE WORK ORDER AS THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT PASSENGER SEAT SUPPRESSION MODULE 19124100 MODULE KIT. AT ABOUT 42,600 MILES A SIMILAR PROBLEM DEVELOPED IN THAT THE AIRBAG READINESS ICON LIGHT, ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON, INDICATING A COMPLETE AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. I SOON DISCOVERED THAT POUNDING ON THE SEAT WOULD MAKE THE LIGHT GO OUT UNTIL ANOTHER MALFUNCTION OCCURRED, USUALLY WHEN THE PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE CAR. AGAIN AFTER REPEATED COMPLAINTS AND TESTS AT 46,713 MILES THE BUICK DEALER INSTALLED AN ITEM LISTED ON THE WORK ORDER AS THE A PPS MODULE 19258127 REMANUFACTURED MODULE KIT. BY WHATEVER NAME THIS THE SECOND TIME A COMPLETE PASSENGER PRESENCE AIRBAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE FIRST INSTANCE WHEN THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED THERE WAS NO AIR BAD PROTECTION FOR THE PASSENGER. IN THE LATTER CASE THERE WAS A COMPLETE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTEE BUT THE SECOND REPLACEMENT I HAD TO PAY FOR MYSELF. INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE DISCLOSED THAT THERE ARE OTHER 2008 BUICK LACROSSE OWNERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIRBAG MODULE FAILURE AND COST OF REPLACEMENT. IF BUICK USES PARTS SUBJECT TO REPEATED FAILURE THEIR REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY BUICK.
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.
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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