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2006 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Lacrosse years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Buick Lacrosse are substantially higher than the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

218 reports with mileage · 81 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 156 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports7 fire reports12 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

7 reports
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48,000 miles · Jun 19, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO VIEW NECESSARY INFORMAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO VIEW NECESSARY INFORMATION WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE AFTERMARKET SEAT COVERING INDICATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V417000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE COVERING TO BE REPLACED DESPITE THE MANUFACTURER ASSURING THEM IT WAS THE SAME MATERIAL USED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RECEIVED A SECOND REPAIR FOR THE ABS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #10995890

100,000 miles · Sep 19, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LUG NUTS AND THE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE AT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LUG NUTS AND THE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE AT A STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ABS AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK, RIGHT ARM, AND RIGHT LEG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER FOR BODY REPAIRS, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE CRASH, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 06V417000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10907546

150,000 miles · Jul 19, 2016
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT BECAME STIFF AND CAUSED A DELAY IN STOPPING DISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAUSE FAILURE WAS UNDETER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT BECAME STIFF AND CAUSED A DELAY IN STOPPING DISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAUSE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI #10885876

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes

FOR YEARS, THE CAR HAS HAD "ELECTRICAL GREMLINS". THERE MIGHT BE TIMES WE DRIVE IT AND NOTHING HAPPENS OUT OF THE ORDINARY EXCEPT THE SES LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE TOP LISTED PROBLEM, BUT THEN THERE ARE TIMES (MORE TIMES THAN NOT) THAT JUST THE CAR MOVING, SOMETIMES WHEN HITTING A BUMP, SOMETIMES WORSE WHEN RAINING/WET ROADS TH…

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FOR YEARS, THE CAR HAS HAD "ELECTRICAL GREMLINS". THERE MIGHT BE TIMES WE DRIVE IT AND NOTHING HAPPENS OUT OF THE ORDINARY EXCEPT THE SES LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE TOP LISTED PROBLEM, BUT THEN THERE ARE TIMES (MORE TIMES THAN NOT) THAT JUST THE CAR MOVING, SOMETIMES WHEN HITTING A BUMP, SOMETIMES WORSE WHEN RAINING/WET ROADS THAT THE DINGER WILL GO OFF AND THE DASH WILL RESET AND WILL SAY ?SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM? ALONG WITH A FEW OF THE DASH LIGHTS LIGHTING UP FOR A FEW SECONDS WITH THE MESSAGE. SOMETIMES WHEN IT HAPPENS THEN IT WILL ALSO SAY ?TRACTION CONTROL OFF? WHICH MIGHT SAY IT FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS AND THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES IT SAID IT UNTIL I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN TIMES THAT THE RED ABS LIGHT HAS STAYED ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH AFTER THIS HAPPENS. SOMETIMES THIS MIGHT HAPPEN ?SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM? ONLY LIKE ONCE ON AN OUTING, BUT THEN THERE'S TIMES THAT IT CAN OCCUR 5 TIMES IN 20 SECONDS . IT HAS NO SET SCHEDULE. THE PROBLEM WITH IT ALSO, IS THAT IF YOU HAVE THE BRAKES APPLIED WHEN IT DOES THIS, THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTS PULSING AND GOES FURTHER TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE CAR IS LESSENED. MY WIFE AND I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS! AND LIKE USUAL, THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD US EVERYTIME WE'VE CALLED THEM THAT IF WE BRING IT IN, THEY CAN DIAGNOSE IT ON OUR DIME BECAUSE OF NO WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DOING IT WHILE UNDER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, WE JUST DIDN'T GET THEM CALLED IN TIME BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE WARRANTY WAS ALREADY OVER BUT IT WASN'T YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638336

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

STEERING KNUCKLE- WAS REPLACED ONCE YEARS AGO UNDER WARRANTY BUT IS NOW STARTING TO MAKE NOISE AGAIN CONSISTENTLY WORSE FOR THE LAST 1-2 YEARS.FOR MONTHS NOW, WE'VE NOTICED THAT OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WILL ACT WEIRD. THE THROTTLE WILL BE LESS RESPONSIVE AND IT WILL ALMOST ACT LIKE IT'S MISSING ON A COUPLE CYLINDERS OR SO, BUT IT H…

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STEERING KNUCKLE- WAS REPLACED ONCE YEARS AGO UNDER WARRANTY BUT IS NOW STARTING TO MAKE NOISE AGAIN CONSISTENTLY WORSE FOR THE LAST 1-2 YEARS.FOR MONTHS NOW, WE'VE NOTICED THAT OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WILL ACT WEIRD. THE THROTTLE WILL BE LESS RESPONSIVE AND IT WILL ALMOST ACT LIKE IT'S MISSING ON A COUPLE CYLINDERS OR SO, BUT IT HAS NEVER SET A CODE FOR IT. THE SHIFT POINTS ARE RAISED AND YOU HAVE TO DRASTICALLY GIVE IT MORE THROTTLE TO GET THE CAR TO ACCELERATE, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT KINDA LIKE SURGES AND THEN IT SHIFTS HARDER. ONCE IT IS IN ROAD GEAR AND CRUISING, THE CAR SURGES WHILE AT A CONSTANT SPEED, IT CAN BE FELT THAT THE CAR SURGES AND DOESN'T REMAIN TOTALLY SMOOTH AND CONSISTENT LIKE IT SHOULD. AN ENGINE RESTART USUALLY STOPS IT FOR THAT TIME. WE HAVE THE SAME SPORADIC PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD FOR YEARS ON OUR '98 OLDS EIGHTY-EIGHT WITH A 3800 ENGINE ALSO. BOTH CARS ARE NOW DOING THE EXACT SAME THING OCCASIONALLY, ARE 8 MODEL YEARS APART, BOTH HAVE THE 3800 ENGINE BUT ONE IS A SERIES II ENGINE AND THE OTHER IS A SERIES III. WE JUST NOTICED THE PAST FEW MONTHS THAT THE CAR IS STARTING TO MAKE FRONT END NOISES LIKE THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR IS BROKE, SO I LOOKED AT IT RECENTLY AND NOTICED THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF IT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS STRESS FRACTURED IN HALF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638335

50,000 miles · Mar 22, 2014
Service Brakes

STEERING IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. OCCURS ALL THE TIME. APPLYING THE BRAKE MAY PLAY A PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574207

25,000 miles · Sep 14, 2012
Electrical SystemService BrakesTraction Control System

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL,I CONTACTED GM ON THE MATTER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY DONT COVER THE BRAKING SYSTEM,I DO CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY HASSERD,AS MY BRAKE PEDAL JUMPS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES,ID LIKE TO GET SATISFACTION ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475372

Official recalls

3

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.

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.