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2009 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 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

80 reports with mileage · 26 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

47 reports
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47,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE HIGH BEAMS EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED. THE CONTACT WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO WORK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE HIGH BEAMS EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MORE THAN THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE REMEDY WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 5/20/15*CN UPDATED 10/4/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10703932

118,000 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 5/19/15*CN UPDATED 7/1/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10703048

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2015
Exterior Lighting

WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 10/16/2012 AND RECENTLY NOTICED THE REFLECTION IN A STORE FRONT GLASS THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE NOTICED THE LIGHTS GOING OUT.. WE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED LAST WEEK AND MENTIONED IT TO THE SERVICEMAN. HE SAID HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I HEARD APPROX 2 WEEKS AGO ON T>V. T…

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WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 10/16/2012 AND RECENTLY NOTICED THE REFLECTION IN A STORE FRONT GLASS THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OUT. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE NOTICED THE LIGHTS GOING OUT.. WE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED LAST WEEK AND MENTIONED IT TO THE SERVICEMAN. HE SAID HE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I HEARD APPROX 2 WEEKS AGO ON T>V. THAT THE ? - 2009 BUICK LACROSSE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. WOULD THIS INCLUDE 2010 . SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG.I REPORTED THIS THE 1ST TIME 11/04/14. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10702725

87,054 miles · Mar 27, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO HOURS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FRONT HEAD LAMPS WOULD NO LONGER ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO HOURS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FRONT HEAD LAMPS WOULD NO LONGER ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,054.

NHTSA ODI #10702153

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A SOLUTION FOR THE FAILURE HAD NOT YET BEEN DEVELOPED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A SOLUTION FOR THE FAILURE HAD NOT YET BEEN DEVELOPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10683228

94,000 miles · Feb 12, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED UP THE PANEL WHERE THE MODULE WAS REPLACED, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE PANEL WAS BURNING. THE VEHICLE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED UP THE PANEL WHERE THE MODULE WAS REPLACED, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE PANEL WAS BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 04/13/15*LJ UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10683020

40,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. IT FIRST APPEARED AS A BAD BATTERY WHICH WAS REPLACED. USING THE IN-CAR DIGITAL READOUT, WE BEGAN TO SEE STRANGE VOLTAGE READINGS IN THE CAR. THE VOLTAGE WOULD SOME TIMES READ AS LOW AS 12.6 VOLTS AND THEN WOULD START A STEADY CLIMB UP TO 14.4 VOLTS…

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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. IT FIRST APPEARED AS A BAD BATTERY WHICH WAS REPLACED. USING THE IN-CAR DIGITAL READOUT, WE BEGAN TO SEE STRANGE VOLTAGE READINGS IN THE CAR. THE VOLTAGE WOULD SOME TIMES READ AS LOW AS 12.6 VOLTS AND THEN WOULD START A STEADY CLIMB UP TO 14.4 VOLTS. IT MIGHT STAY THAT WAY FOR HOURS OR MIGHT SLOWLY DROP TO THE LOW LEVEL. AT THE LOW LEVEL, WE HAVE NOTICED THAT MULTIPLE ITEMS LIKE THE SPEED CONTROL AND THE AIR CONDITIONING WOULD NOT WORK UNTIL THE VOLTAGE WAS AT THE HIGH LEVEL. WE HAVE HAD AN EPISODE WHERE THE LOW BEAM WOULD NOT OPERATE UNTIL I SWITCHED THE HIGH BEAM ON AND THEM SWITCHED TO LOW BEAM. WE HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICED ON THAT ITEM. OTHER STRANGE THINGS ARE HAPPENING LIKE THE RADIO CHANGING STATIONS ON ITS OWN. THE PASSENGER SEAT INDICATOR READS FALSE AT TIMES WHEN TRAVELING. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT READS OFF AND THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR READ UNLATCHED. AS WE CONTINUE TRAVELING, THE INDICATORS GO BACK TO THEIR NORMAL INDICATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679598

24,000 miles · Jan 23, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #10678459

37,500 miles · Sep 21, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLAMPS WENT OUT AT NIGHT NO REASON BACK ON AUG 6 WITH MY WIFE DRIVING AFTER SHE TURNED OFF THE HIGH BEAMS. I ASSUMED SHE UNINTENTIONALLY TURNED THEM OFF. LAST NIGHT WHEN I WAS DRIVING THEY WENT OFF AGAIN FOR NO REASON. I HAD TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING. I W…

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THE HEADLAMPS WENT OUT AT NIGHT NO REASON BACK ON AUG 6 WITH MY WIFE DRIVING AFTER SHE TURNED OFF THE HIGH BEAMS. I ASSUMED SHE UNINTENTIONALLY TURNED THEM OFF. LAST NIGHT WHEN I WAS DRIVING THEY WENT OFF AGAIN FOR NO REASON. I HAD TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637815

50,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED. AFTER TURNING THE HIGH BEAMS LIGHT ON THE TAIL LIGHT WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT ME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED. AFTER TURNING THE HIGH BEAMS LIGHT ON THE TAIL LIGHT WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RESET BUTTON FOR THE HEADLIGHT FUSE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626083

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.