IllustrationTHE VEHICLE MAKES A RUBBING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. *TR
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 →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
170–25K
2425–50K
6050–75K
3975–100K
52100–150K
26150K+
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
What owners actually said
299 reportsWHILE DRIVING ON A THREE LANE HIGHWAY, THE 2006 LACROSSE ENGINE STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO CROSS TWO LANES AND PARK ON THE SHOULDER. TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE SPENT 1/2 HOUR LOOKING FOR PROBLEM. TESTED AND NO CODES. MOVED THE CONNECTION AT THE DISTRIBUTOR MODULE AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. TRIED TO MAKE IT FAIL AGAIN BY MOVING,…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A THREE LANE HIGHWAY, THE 2006 LACROSSE ENGINE STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO CROSS TWO LANES AND PARK ON THE SHOULDER. TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE SPENT 1/2 HOUR LOOKING FOR PROBLEM. TESTED AND NO CODES. MOVED THE CONNECTION AT THE DISTRIBUTOR MODULE AND THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. TRIED TO MAKE IT FAIL AGAIN BY MOVING, UNPLUG AND PLUGGING THE CONNECTION. I DROVE HOME AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
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
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE CX, WITH APPROX. 47,000 MILES. AS I ENTERED THE UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE, AT WORK, TUESDAY MORNING, I DISCOVERED I HAD NO LOW BEAMS. THE HIGH BEAMS AND PARKING LIGHTS BOTH WORKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VERY REPUTABLE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A GOOD THING I GOT THE CAR …
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I AM AN OWNER OF A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE CX, WITH APPROX. 47,000 MILES. AS I ENTERED THE UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE, AT WORK, TUESDAY MORNING, I DISCOVERED I HAD NO LOW BEAMS. THE HIGH BEAMS AND PARKING LIGHTS BOTH WORKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VERY REPUTABLE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A GOOD THING I GOT THE CAR THERE WHEN I DID. (I COULD'VE HAD A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD)...THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE FUSE BOX, AGAINST THE FIREWALL, UNDER THE HOOD, HAD MELTED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, A.E., DRIVING AT 65 MPH AT NIGHT, A FIRE, ETC... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE CARS RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION, IS FAULTY. *TR
2006 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER STATES INJURY AND ACCIDENT DUE TO A MECHANICAL ANOMALY STATING VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PUT THE GEAR IN PARK, OPENED THE DOOR AND LEFT IT OPEN WHILE SHE WALKED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT STEPS. AS THE CONSUMER TURNED AROUND, SHE SAW THE VEHICLE TRAVELING BACKWARDS AND RAN TO S…
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2006 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER STATES INJURY AND ACCIDENT DUE TO A MECHANICAL ANOMALY STATING VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PUT THE GEAR IN PARK, OPENED THE DOOR AND LEFT IT OPEN WHILE SHE WALKED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT STEPS. AS THE CONSUMER TURNED AROUND, SHE SAW THE VEHICLE TRAVELING BACKWARDS AND RAN TO STOP IT. SOON, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND SHE REALIZED SHE COULDN'T GET IN THE VEHICLE, BUT AT THAT POINT THE DOOR APPARENTLY HIT THE CONSUMER AND KNOCKED HER TO THE PAVEMENT. THE INJURY RESULTED IN A CONCUSSION WHICH EVENTUALLY REQUIRED BRAIN SURGERY TO REMOVE A HEMATOMA. *JB
DASH MESSAGE LIGHTING BLANKS OUT SPORADICALLY OR GOES VERY DIM DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS. *TR
DASH LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS ON OCCASION (ABOUT 2 TIMES PER MONTH). IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE DASH LIGHTS MAY COME ON FROM FIVE MINUTES TO AN HOUR AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT HAS DONE OUT WHILE …
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DASH LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS ON OCCASION (ABOUT 2 TIMES PER MONTH). IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE DASH LIGHTS MAY COME ON FROM FIVE MINUTES TO AN HOUR AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED. THIS MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT HAS DONE OUT WHILE DRIVING. GM HAS OFFERED A DIAGNOSES OF THE PROBLEM BUT THIS WOULD ONLY BE BENEFICIAL IF THEY WERE OFF AND STAYED OFF WHEN I WOULD GO TO A DEALER. I HAVE TRIED THIS ANY THE LIGHTS ALWAYS COME BACK ON BEFORE I ARRIVE. MY NEIGHBOR HAS A BUICK THE SAME YEAR AS MINE AND HIS DOES THE SAME THING. THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND SAYS IT IS SUPPOSE TO WORK THAT WAY. THEY ARE WRONG ON THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT YOU CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING IN THE DASH LIGHTED AREA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ENGAGE THE HIGH BEAMS FOR SUBSTANTIAL ILLUMINATION WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ENGAGE THE HIGH BEAMS FOR SUBSTANTIAL ILLUMINATION WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Official recalls
315V519000 · 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
1RQ17002 · 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.