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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
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

1 miles · Oct 9, 2016
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS EXPOSES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER TO DANGER AS NO AIRBAG PROTECTION IS AFFORDED TO THEM W…

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THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 23,000 MILES ON IT. THE FAILURE HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS EXPOSES THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER TO DANGER AS NO AIRBAG PROTECTION IS AFFORDED TO THEM WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, THEY SAID A PART MAY BE NEEDED THAT COSTS ABOUT $1,000 TO REPLACE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MANY BUICKS HAVE, AND THE REPLACEMENT COSTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY GENERAL MOTORS, NOT THE CUSTOMER. APPARENTLY, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE TO EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE. HERE IS A LINK TO THE CARCOMPLAINTS.COM WEBSITE WHERE MANY OTHERS HAVE SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/BUICK/LACROSSE/2008/SEAT_BELTS_AIR_BAGS/AIR_BAGS.SHTML THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10914994

23,000 miles · Sep 10, 2016
Air Bags

RED AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING WHEN PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #10905493

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2016
Air Bags

"TAKATA RECALL" FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WOULD STAY OFF WHENEVER PASSENGER IS SITING IN SEAT WITH SEAT BELT FASTENED.. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE NATIONALLY AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD TO REPLACE A PASS PRESENCE MODULE AT A COST OF OVER $900.00. I TOOK OUT A 3 YEAR WARRANTY TO COVER ALL ELE…

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"TAKATA RECALL" FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WOULD STAY OFF WHENEVER PASSENGER IS SITING IN SEAT WITH SEAT BELT FASTENED.. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE NATIONALLY AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD TO REPLACE A PASS PRESENCE MODULE AT A COST OF OVER $900.00. I TOOK OUT A 3 YEAR WARRANTY TO COVER ALL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHEN PURCHASING THIS CAR AND SURPRISINGLY THIS MODULE WAS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED...NOT ONLY FOR BUICK VEHICLES BUT ALSO FOR CHEVROLET, ETC. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE MANY BUICKS' HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THE REPLACEMENT COSTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY GENERAL MOTORS ...NOT THE CUSTOMER.

NHTSA ODI #10899367

48,018 miles · Aug 26, 2016
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM MODULE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,018.

NHTSA ODI #10898888

107,000 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Unknown Or Other

WHILE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY FOB, UNLOCK BUTTON ON DOOR PANEL, OR BY HAND. ALL THREE METHODS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL.

NHTSA ODI #10896583

78,000 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS, BUT DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS, BUT DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ALSO FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 10/04/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE AND THE OWNER PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10889379

62,203 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Air Bags

I HAD A 6 PACK OF BEER SITTING ON MY PASSENGER SEAT AND MY "AIRBAG" MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. SO I REMOVED THE 6 PACK OF BEER FROM MY SEAT HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER 5PM SO I HAVE YET TO CONTACT MY DEALER AS THEIR SERVICE CLOSES AT 5PM. THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARK…

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I HAD A 6 PACK OF BEER SITTING ON MY PASSENGER SEAT AND MY "AIRBAG" MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. SO I REMOVED THE 6 PACK OF BEER FROM MY SEAT HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER 5PM SO I HAVE YET TO CONTACT MY DEALER AS THEIR SERVICE CLOSES AT 5PM. THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I FOUND FROM "GOOGLING" THIS ISSUE THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAULT IN 2008 BUICK LACROSSE MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10884115

8,000 miles · Jul 9, 2016
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TELLTALE INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED AT THE TIMES THE LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. NHTSA REPORTS FROM OWNERS INDICATE THAT DEALER PART CHANGES (CONTROL, WEIGHT SENSOR, ETC.) HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. WITH THAT IN MIND, IT'S APPARENT THAT…

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THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TELLTALE INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THE AIRBAG IS DISABLED AT THE TIMES THE LIGHT IS DISPLAYED. NHTSA REPORTS FROM OWNERS INDICATE THAT DEALER PART CHANGES (CONTROL, WEIGHT SENSOR, ETC.) HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. WITH THAT IN MIND, IT'S APPARENT THAT A DESIGN ISSUE MUST BE AT THE ROOT CAUSE. THIS ISSUE IS JUST AS DANGEROUS IF NOT WORSE THAN THE IGNITION KEY ISSUE BECAUSE BOTH DISABLE THE AIRBAG. THIS ISSUE UNLIKE THE IGNITION ISSUE WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN CAN GO UNNOTICED IF THE DRIVER FAILS TO SEE THE INDICATOR LIGHT. THIS EXPOSES THE PASSENGER TO A POTENTIAL DANGER IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH AT THAT TIME. DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE SEAT BELT AND REPOSITIONING A PASSENGER'S WEIGHT EVENTUALLY WILL TURN OFF THE LIGHT PROVIDED THE LIGHT IS DETECTED AND THE PASSENGER IS ADVISED. NHTSA SHOULD BE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN CORRECTING THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. NOTE: THE DATE ENTERED IS TODAY'S DATE SINCE THE CONDITION INTERMITTANTLY CONTINUES TO OCCUR.

NHTSA ODI #10883747

84,000 miles · Jul 6, 2016
Air Bags

AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATES ERRATICALLY. SOMETIMES IT IS ILLUMINATED WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE, SOMETIMES IT ILLUMINATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DOWN THE ROAD AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (NO REAL PATTERN). SOMETIMES THE WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND OTHER TIMES IT STAYS ON UNTIL THE CAR IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. IT …

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AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATES ERRATICALLY. SOMETIMES IT IS ILLUMINATED WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE, SOMETIMES IT ILLUMINATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DOWN THE ROAD AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (NO REAL PATTERN). SOMETIMES THE WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND OTHER TIMES IT STAYS ON UNTIL THE CAR IS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO WARMER WEATHER BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS WENT AWAY WHEN IT GOT COLD IN SEPTEMBER 2015 AND CAME BACK WHEN IT GOT WARMER IN JUNE 2016

NHTSA ODI #10883159

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.