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2005 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lacrosse years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Buick Lacrosse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

224 reports with mileage · 91 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 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

315 reports
108,000 miles · Sep 8, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FOR MONTHS PRIOR AT NIGHT MY LOW BEAMS WOULD DIM AND GET BRIGHTER PERIODICALLY. THEN AS I WAS DRIVING ONE MORNING I BEGAN TO SMELL AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. LUCKILY I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHICH WAS LESS THAN A HALF MILE AWAY. WHEN I GOT HOME I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED TH…

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FOR MONTHS PRIOR AT NIGHT MY LOW BEAMS WOULD DIM AND GET BRIGHTER PERIODICALLY. THEN AS I WAS DRIVING ONE MORNING I BEGAN TO SMELL AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. LUCKILY I WAS ON MY WAY HOME WHICH WAS LESS THAN A HALF MILE AWAY. WHEN I GOT HOME I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE AND PROCEEDED TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAPPENED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE HDM MODULE HAD FAILED AND WAS MELTED RIGHT INTO THE FUSE BLOCK. IF I HAD DRIVEN ANY LONGER THAN I DID I FEEL LIKE MY CAR WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY CAUGHT FIRE. LUCKILY I GOT HOME SAFE AND PREVENTED ANY FURTHER DAMAGE FROM MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10762373

84,511 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Exterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM A MEETING ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I TRIED TO SWITCH TO MANUAL CONTROL OF THE HEADLIGHTS IT DIDN'T WORK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT I COULD USE MY THE TEMPORARY BRIGHT LIGHTS WHEN THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS WERE COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT TO GUSWEILER GM CENTE…

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WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM A MEETING ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I TRIED TO SWITCH TO MANUAL CONTROL OF THE HEADLIGHTS IT DIDN'T WORK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT I COULD USE MY THE TEMPORARY BRIGHT LIGHTS WHEN THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS WERE COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT TO GUSWEILER GM CENTER TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID IT WAS THE HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE RELAY. I HAD THEM MAKE THE REPAIR AT A COST OF $160.29.

NHTSA ODI #10759571

135,000 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10745883

96,870 miles · Jul 29, 2015
Air BagsExterior LightingService Brakes

MY VEHICLE STARTED FLASHING, CHIMING, GIVING SERVICE ABS, SERVICE TC, SERVICE BRAKES MESSAGES, AIR BAG INDICATOR LIT UP,AND TURN SIGNALS STARTED HAVING LONGER AND LONGER PAUSES BETWEEN CLICKS AT RANDOM TIMES DURING A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS NOTIFIED EVERYTHING INDICATED THE INSTRUMENT…

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MY VEHICLE STARTED FLASHING, CHIMING, GIVING SERVICE ABS, SERVICE TC, SERVICE BRAKES MESSAGES, AIR BAG INDICATOR LIT UP,AND TURN SIGNALS STARTED HAVING LONGER AND LONGER PAUSES BETWEEN CLICKS AT RANDOM TIMES DURING A TWO WEEK PERIOD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS NOTIFIED EVERYTHING INDICATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS THE PROBLEM: THE COMPUTER IS NOT CONNECTING TO THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10744813

69,761 miles · Jul 25, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherCrashFire

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT NIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LEAVE THE ROAD AS HE WAS GOING THRU A TURN AT THE TIME. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE CAR ONLY SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE. IT HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE DITCH. AFTER THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME LESS THAN A MILE AWAY, I OPENED THE HOOD …

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THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT NIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LEAVE THE ROAD AS HE WAS GOING THRU A TURN AT THE TIME. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE CAR ONLY SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE. IT HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE DITCH. AFTER THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME LESS THAN A MILE AWAY, I OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE FUSE BOX HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AND A PORTION MELTED. THIS ALSO DAMAGED THE WIRING CONNECTED TO THE FUSE BOX. I AM NOT SURE WHAT OTHER COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED AS A RESULT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OPERABLE SINCE. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND HAVE SPENT $300 AND COUNTLESS HOURS ON LABOR SO FAR. THIS SAME PROBLEM IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED ON 2006 AND UP BUICK LACROSSE'S. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE 2005 MODELS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE PENDING RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE FOR $8,000 AND NOW I AM NOT SURE IT WILL EVER RUN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10743487

107,000 miles · Jul 20, 2015
Electrical System

LOW BEAMS SUDDENLY BOTH WENT OUT ALONG WITH LEFT SIDE TOURING AND FOG LIGHTS

NHTSA ODI #10735376

227,605 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE KEY FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE RUN POSITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY HAD NO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE KEY FAILED TO REMAIN IN THE RUN POSITION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY HAD NO ADDITIONAL WEIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,605.

NHTSA ODI #10734124

188,700 miles · Jul 3, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

WHILE RUNNING VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OFF AND CAR WAS LEFT WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND NO MOTOR POWER. I HAVE TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP IN ORDER TO START THE CAR AGAIN. IT ALL HAPPENS AFTER GETTING MY CAR TO GMC CAMPAIGN 14299.

NHTSA ODI #10731903

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V417000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V417000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10723201

111,000 miles · May 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE DRIVERS DOOR FAILS TO UNLOCK WITH CAR IN PARK AND IGNITION OFF. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ADDRESSED BY GM.

NHTSA ODI #10716774

Official recalls

4

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.

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

05V156000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Apr 20, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIN COULD HAVE BEEN BENT WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED. A BENT CLIP MAY COME OFF, ALLOWING THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PUSHING ON THE PEDAL WILL NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD BUSHING AND RETAINING CLIP AND, IF THE CLIP WAS MISSING, A NEW BRAKE PEDAL ARM ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

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.