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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

250 reports
50,912 miles · Aug 18, 2019
Electrical System

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY EVEN WHEN USING THE INTERIOR SWITCHES. MOST OF THE TIME, DOORS MUST BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED MANUALLY ! OUR 2008 BUICK LACROSSE CXL HAS LESS THAN 51,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I'VE READ THAT PEOPLE WERE TRAPPED/ UNABLE TO GET OUT…

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THE POWER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY EVEN WHEN USING THE INTERIOR SWITCHES. MOST OF THE TIME, DOORS MUST BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED MANUALLY ! OUR 2008 BUICK LACROSSE CXL HAS LESS THAN 51,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I'VE READ THAT PEOPLE WERE TRAPPED/ UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THEIR LACROSSE WHEN TRIP WAS DONE.

NHTSA ODI #11244775

80,000 miles · Jun 19, 2019
Unknown Or Other

CAR KEEPS STALLING. LOSES POWER STEERING HARD TO NAVIGATE. HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. CITY STREETS HIGHWAY, PARKING LOTS. ETC.

NHTSA ODI #11221163

71,300 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Exterior Lighting

ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LOW BEAM AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS QUIT WORKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IN THE MORNING AT MY HOME.

NHTSA ODI #11164929

71,300 miles · Jan 5, 2019
Exterior Lighting

ALL OF A SUDDEN MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT QUIT WORKING. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE HIGH BEAM QUIT TOO. THIS IS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11165391

50,000 miles · Sep 7, 2018
Electrical System

CAR IS STATIONARY. AT APPROXIMATELY 50000 MI. (AND 6 YRS OF AGE) ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS STARTED RANDOMLY AND INTERMITTENTLY STICKING. SYMPTOM IS THAT, ONCE INSIDE THE CAR AND DOORS ARE LOCKED, DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK AND HANDLES DO DO NOT OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. SOLUTION WAS TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND ATTEMPT TO OPEN FROM …

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CAR IS STATIONARY. AT APPROXIMATELY 50000 MI. (AND 6 YRS OF AGE) ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS STARTED RANDOMLY AND INTERMITTENTLY STICKING. SYMPTOM IS THAT, ONCE INSIDE THE CAR AND DOORS ARE LOCKED, DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK AND HANDLES DO DO NOT OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. SOLUTION WAS TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND ATTEMPT TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE WHICH SOMETIMES WORKED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR PASSENGERS ARE OTHERWISE IN DISTRESS, CANNOT EXIT THE CAR. HAVE SEEN REPEATED REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11128045

84,741 miles · Jul 31, 2018
Air Bags

I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TOGGLE BETWEEN ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE BUICK DEALER DIAGNOSTIC AND SCAN TEST REVEALED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED. COST OF REPAIR IS $2,000.00 WITH NO SAFETY WARRANTY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO OFFSET THE COST. NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO PRESSURE SENSOR OR PASSEN…

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I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TOGGLE BETWEEN ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE BUICK DEALER DIAGNOSTIC AND SCAN TEST REVEALED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED. COST OF REPAIR IS $2,000.00 WITH NO SAFETY WARRANTY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO OFFSET THE COST. NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO PRESSURE SENSOR OR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CUSHION CONTAINING THE BLADDER AND PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE YEARS OF OWNING THIS CAR TO WARRANT FAILURE OF PRESSURE SENSOR. DUE TO ABSENCE OF REASON FOR THE FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE SENSOR, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL FAULTY SAFETY SYSTEMS ON MY VEHICLE. A FAILURE PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SIDE COULD MEAN THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SITTING THERE. THEREFORE, IT IS A SAFETY RISK AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT SINCE IT HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED DURING OWNERSHIP I AM LED TO SUSPECT THAT IT IS A FAULTY PRESSURE SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11114750

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2018
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

I SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY SENIOR CITIZEN MOTHER WHO IS 75 YEARS OLD. MY MOM HAD A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE & GOT LOCKED INSIDE OF HER BUICK CAR FOR OVER 1/2 HOUR & COULD NOT UNLOCK ANY OF 4 CAR DOORS FROM INSIDE TO ESCAPE OUT OF HER CAR. PLUS, KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION & CAR WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT WAS WINTER SEASON …

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I SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY SENIOR CITIZEN MOTHER WHO IS 75 YEARS OLD. MY MOM HAD A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE & GOT LOCKED INSIDE OF HER BUICK CAR FOR OVER 1/2 HOUR & COULD NOT UNLOCK ANY OF 4 CAR DOORS FROM INSIDE TO ESCAPE OUT OF HER CAR. PLUS, KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION & CAR WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT WAS WINTER SEASON !! CAR WAS STATIONERY. ALL CAR WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP SO MY MOM COULD NOT GET ANY HEAT NOR FRESH AIR. MY MOM COULD HAVE FROZE TO DEATH INSIDE OF HER CAR !! MORE SCARY -- WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN NOR HOW LONG THE NEXT LOCKOUT WILL LAST !! CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE !! ESPECIALLY FOR A SENIOR CITIZEN PERSON. WE ARE AMAZED THAT BUICK DID NOT YET ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. I FOUND BUICK FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WHERE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINED OF SAME RELATED PROBLEMS !! I EMAILED ALL 7 WEBSITES TO BCR. SOME PEOPLE CANNOT EVEN UNLOCK DRIVER CAR DOOR TO INTO GET INTO DRIVER'S SEAT !! THEY HAVE TO ENTER THEIR CARS THRU PASSENGER & CRAWL OVER TO PASSENGER CAR SEAT OR ENTER FROM BACKSEAT OF THE CAR !! OBVIOUSLY BUICK & GM NEVER DID ANYTHING YET ABOUT THIS SCARY & ANNOYING PROBLEM !! ON MARCH 16 2018 I OPENED A NEW CASE #8-4000469674 WITH BUICK CUSTOMER RELATIONS (BCR). THEY FLAGGED THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE !! BCR SAID BUICK WILL ONLY WORK WITH A BUICK CAR DEALER ON THIS ISSUE IF MY MOM BRINGS HER CAR TO A BUICK CAR DEALER. SO WE MADE AN APPT FOR THIS MONDAY, APRIL 16 8:30AM AT FOX VALLEY BUICK (FVB) IN ST. CHARLES, IL TO GET HER BUICK CAR DIAGNOSED !! BCR WILL WORK WITH FVB & CEM (CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGER). CLEARLY -- THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE !! IN HOT HEAT OR WINTER COLD -- A PERSON CAN LITERALLY SUFFOCATE OR FREEZE BEING A TRAPPED PRISONER INSIDE OF THEIR CAR !!! 2 BCR REPS FAILED TO CALL ME BACK OVER 4 DAYS. ONE BCR REP WAS SUPERVISOR. BUT I WAS DILIGENT & I FOLLOWED UP WITH BCR !!

NHTSA ODI #11085106

41,012 miles · Apr 7, 2018
Air Bags

PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY MAT/MODULE IN RIGHT FRONT SET CUSHION. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. WHEN PASSENGER IS IN RIGHT FRONT SEAT AIR MAG MESSAGE ON. MALFUNCTION. VERY COMMON WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THAT'S WHAT THE TECH SAID AT THE DEALERSHIP

NHTSA ODI #11083803

82,000 miles · Mar 13, 2018
Exterior Lighting

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ONE YEAR THAT MY HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS WENT OUT. I JUST REPLACED IT ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE. I DO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE VERY MUCH . 82000 MILES AND IT IS 10 YEARS OLD. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON A PART FOR THE VERY SAME REASON I AM NOTI…

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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ONE YEAR THAT MY HEADLIGHT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS WENT OUT. I JUST REPLACED IT ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE. I DO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE VERY MUCH . 82000 MILES AND IT IS 10 YEARS OLD. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON A PART FOR THE VERY SAME REASON I AM NOTIFYING YOU. I NEED THIS FIXED. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE EXPENSIVE AND THIS IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT PROPER LIGHTING. PLEASE ADVISE ON THIS MATTER . THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11078831

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2018
Exterior Lighting

MY HEAD LIGHTS LOOKED MELTED LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING OUT REPLACED LIGHT BULBS. YOU REPLACED THE MODULE ON RECALL LOW BEAM KEEP BLOWING OUT. REPLACED THE WHOLE CASING BOTH SIDES. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS (BOTH) ARE OUT AGAIN. CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. THIS I REPORTED BEFORE YOU REPLACED THE MODULE ON RECALL. WHILE DRIVING SUN GOES D…

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MY HEAD LIGHTS LOOKED MELTED LOW BEAM LIGHTS KEPT BLOWING OUT REPLACED LIGHT BULBS. YOU REPLACED THE MODULE ON RECALL LOW BEAM KEEP BLOWING OUT. REPLACED THE WHOLE CASING BOTH SIDES. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS (BOTH) ARE OUT AGAIN. CAN'T DRIVE AT NIGHT. THIS I REPORTED BEFORE YOU REPLACED THE MODULE ON RECALL. WHILE DRIVING SUN GOES DOWN I WILL NOTICE NO LIGHTS, RIGHT WENT OUT FIRST NOW LEFT

NHTSA ODI #11063729

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.