NO INCIDENT AS OF NOW, BUT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE PASSENGER SENSING DEVICE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AT TIMES THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG WILL NOT TURN ON WITH MY WIFE IN PASSENGER SEAT. IT MAY WORK FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEN NOT ENABLE AT RANDOM FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. *NM
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
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.
What owners actually said
299 reportsIT HAD RAINED EARLIER IN THE DAY AND THE ROADS WERE STILL WET. I WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH IN A 40 MPH ZONE. I APPLIED MY BRAKES APPROX. 200 FEET PRIOR TO THE TRAFFIC AND STOP LIGHT. THE CAR SKIDDED. AT 150 FEET I BROKE HARDER AND THE ABS ENGAGED. THE HARDER I PUSHED THE MORE THE CAR SKIDDED. THE BRAKES NEVER STOPPED THE CAR …
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IT HAD RAINED EARLIER IN THE DAY AND THE ROADS WERE STILL WET. I WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH IN A 40 MPH ZONE. I APPLIED MY BRAKES APPROX. 200 FEET PRIOR TO THE TRAFFIC AND STOP LIGHT. THE CAR SKIDDED. AT 150 FEET I BROKE HARDER AND THE ABS ENGAGED. THE HARDER I PUSHED THE MORE THE CAR SKIDDED. THE BRAKES NEVER STOPPED THE CAR -- IT ONLY SLOWED IT DOWN. THE ONLY TIME THE CAR STOPPED WAS WHEN IT HIT THE SUV IN FRONT OF IT, CAUSING $3,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. EITHER THE BRAKES DON'T WORK PROPERLY, OR THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TRACTION WITH THE TIRES. (GOODYEAR INTEGRITY).*JB
MY 2006 BUICK LACROSSE HAS A CENTER ARM REST. THE TOP OF THE ARM REST LIFTS UP TO REVEAL A STORAGE COMPARTMENT, WHICH CONTAINS STORAGE SLOTS FOR CD'S. ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE TOP OF THE ARM REST IS A FOAM PAD, WHICH I ASSUME WAS PUT THERE TO PREVENT THE CD'S FROM RATTLING AND MAKING NOISE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE STOR…
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MY 2006 BUICK LACROSSE HAS A CENTER ARM REST. THE TOP OF THE ARM REST LIFTS UP TO REVEAL A STORAGE COMPARTMENT, WHICH CONTAINS STORAGE SLOTS FOR CD'S. ATTACHED TO THE INSIDE TOP OF THE ARM REST IS A FOAM PAD, WHICH I ASSUME WAS PUT THERE TO PREVENT THE CD'S FROM RATTLING AND MAKING NOISE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN YOU ARE STORING CD'S AND LIFT THE TOP OF THE ARM REST TO GET AT THE STORAGE AREA, THE CD'S STICK TO THE FOAM PAD AND GET LIFTED OUT OF THE STORAGE AREA. THE RESULT IS CD'S SPILLED ALL OVER THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA. BESIDE BEING A MAJOR PAIN IN THE NECK, THIS CAN BE VERY DISCONCERTING TO A DRIVER, CAUSING DISTRACTION - WHICH CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. I'VE CONTACTED BUICK TWICE VIA THEIR WEB SITE, AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK FROM THEM. *JB
WE HAVE A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH THE 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. AT COOL/COLD TEMPERATURES (BELOW 57 OF) THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT WORK! THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. HAVING THE PASSENGER JUMP UP AND DOWN IN THE SEAT DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE SENSOR/AIRBAG. THE DEALER SO FAR HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEVICE. *JB
I BOUGHT A BUICK LACROSSE VIN [XXX] ON MARCH 30, 2006. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON MARCH 31, 2006, AND HAD A PROBLEM WITH A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT THAT DAY. I WAS SICK AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR BUT ATTEMPTED TO USE ONSTAR DIAGNOSTIC WHICH THEY WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM AND I E-MAILED THE DEALER CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. UP…
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I BOUGHT A BUICK LACROSSE VIN [XXX] ON MARCH 30, 2006. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON MARCH 31, 2006, AND HAD A PROBLEM WITH A LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT THAT DAY. I WAS SICK AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR BUT ATTEMPTED TO USE ONSTAR DIAGNOSTIC WHICH THEY WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM AND I E-MAILED THE DEALER CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. UPON MY RECOVERY, I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON APRIL 7, 2006. ON APRIL 10, 2006, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED AND INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR NEEDS A REPAIR TO THE CAMSHAFT ASSEMBLY. THIS DEFECT EXISTED THE DAY I PICKED UP THE CAR, IT HAD 87 MILES ON IT WHEN I PICKED IT UP, AND SINCE THE CAR WAS INSPECTED THE MORNING I PICKED IT UP, THE DEALER ALLOWED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT TO BE SOLD AND DELIVERED. UPON CONTACTING BUICK TO MAKING BUICK IS AWARE THAT THIS HAD HAPPENED AND SEEKING RESOLUTION THE DEALER PUT A NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR. IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE DEALER OR BUICK TO SELL A DEFECTIVE CAR AND BELIEVE THAT PUTTING A NEW ENGINE IN THE CAR RESOLVES THE PROBLEM. I HAVE COMPLAINT TO BUICK AND THE DEALER ABOUT THIS NUMEROUS TIME BUT I GET STONE WALLED, THEY COMPLETELY IGNORE THE PROBLEM EXISTING PRIOR TO ME BUYING AND TAKING DELIVERY OF THE CAR. I HAVE ASKED FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, PARTIAL, OR TOTAL REFUND AND I'M IGNORED. ALL BUICK DOES IS OFFER OIL CHANGES AND AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH I FIND USELESS. ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ONSTAR MODULE FAILED, APRIL 22, 2006, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, INTERMITTENTLY, SHOW THE ILLUSION OF VENETIAN BLINDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD HAS LARGE REFLECTIONS OF APPROACHING VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS TOO NERVOUS WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. WANTED TO HAVE THE MONEY REFUN…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS, INTERMITTENTLY, SHOW THE ILLUSION OF VENETIAN BLINDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD HAS LARGE REFLECTIONS OF APPROACHING VEHICLES. THE CONTACT WAS TOO NERVOUS WHEN GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. WANTED TO HAVE THE MONEY REFUNDED SINCE THE CONTACT REFUSED TO RIDE IN THE CAR.
COLLISION RESULTED WHEN BRAKES APPARENTLY FAILED. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE PUSHROD. *NM
WE HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THIS MODEL HAS A PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR WHICH DETECTS WHETHER A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE SEAT OR NOT. IF IT DETECTS NO PASSENGER, THE PASSENGER AIR-BAG IS TURNED "OFF." AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 55. THIS PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR DOES NOT WORK! MY WIFE FIRST NOTICE…
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WE HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THIS MODEL HAS A PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR WHICH DETECTS WHETHER A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE SEAT OR NOT. IF IT DETECTS NO PASSENGER, THE PASSENGER AIR-BAG IS TURNED "OFF." AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 55. THIS PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR DOES NOT WORK! MY WIFE FIRST NOTICED IT ON A COLD MORNING, I HAD HER BOUNCE UP AND DOWN ON THE SEAT - NO RESPONSE. THE AIR-BAG REMAINED "OFF." THIS HAPPENED EVERYTIME THE TEMPERATURE AS INDICATED ON THE DASH WAS 55 OF OR LOWER. ONLY AFTER THE HEATER WAS ON AND THE CABIN TEMPERATURE CAME CLOSER TO ROOM TEMPERATURE DID WE HEAR A "CLICK!" AND THE INDICATOR THEN SAID THE AIR-BAG WAS "ON." IF THIS IS A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THESE SEAT SENSORS, THEN I CAN SEE THOUSANDS OF PASSENGERS BEING POSSIBLY THROWN THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD BECAUSE "THE COMPUTER" "KNOWS" THAT NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND HAS THEREFORE TURNED THE AIR-BAG "OFF." THIS OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN JANUARY WHEN WE WERE IN VIRGINIA THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY. HAVE REFERRED THIS TO THE DEALER AND WROTE A TWO PAGE LETTER TO THE OWNER; THE SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THAT "THAT'S THE WAY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO WORK." MY WIFE AND I ARE SKEPTICAL. *JB
THE LOW OIL PRESSURE ALARM RANG AFTER ONLY 1542 MILES DEALER MADE APPT FOR 2/21 - WASN'T WORRIED "PROBABLY ONLY A FALSE ALARM". THE ALARM RANG AGAIN AT 1550 MILES. I MADE THE DEALER TAKE THE CAR BACK TO DEALER. GM HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE DUE TO METAL IN OIL PAN. I'VE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT AND DON'T FEEL THE CAR IS WORTH A NEW CAR…
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THE LOW OIL PRESSURE ALARM RANG AFTER ONLY 1542 MILES DEALER MADE APPT FOR 2/21 - WASN'T WORRIED "PROBABLY ONLY A FALSE ALARM". THE ALARM RANG AGAIN AT 1550 MILES. I MADE THE DEALER TAKE THE CAR BACK TO DEALER. GM HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE DUE TO METAL IN OIL PAN. I'VE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT AND DON'T FEEL THE CAR IS WORTH A NEW CAR PRICE. *JB
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.
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