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2008 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Buick Lacrosse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

200 reports with mileage · 50 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

250 reports
79,850 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAIILED WITHOUT NOTICE. HOPE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. I JUST BACKED INTO A PARKING SPACE WENT TO PULL OUT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN ANY DRIVE GEAR AT ALL. VEHICLE MILAGE 79850 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10794698

51,097 miles · Nov 2, 2015
Electrical System

THREE OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED AT 51000 MILES. THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE DOOR PANELS AND REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AT THE COST OF $942. IT IS INTERESTING THAT BUICK IS UNABLE TO MANUFACTURE A VEHICLE IN WHICH THE DOOR LOCKS CAN LAST BEYOND SEVEN YEARS. MY…

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THREE OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED AT 51000 MILES. THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE DOOR PANELS AND REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT, RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AT THE COST OF $942. IT IS INTERESTING THAT BUICK IS UNABLE TO MANUFACTURE A VEHICLE IN WHICH THE DOOR LOCKS CAN LAST BEYOND SEVEN YEARS. MY FOURTEEN YEAR OLD FORD TAURUS HAS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. GENERAL MOTORS AND NHTSA NEED TO REVIEW THE ISSUES POSTED REGARDING THE 2008 BUICK LACROSSE.

NHTSA ODI #10787575

51,097 miles · Nov 2, 2015
Air Bags

THE DESCRIPTION THAT FOLLOWS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY OF A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR FOR THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS CONTINUOUSLY LIT. THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP SCANNED AND CHECKED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, REPAIRED CONNECTIONS AND CLEARED THE CODE. AT PRESENT, NE…

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THE DESCRIPTION THAT FOLLOWS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY OF A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR FOR THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT IS CONTINUOUSLY LIT. THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP SCANNED AND CHECKED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM, REPAIRED CONNECTIONS AND CLEARED THE CODE. AT PRESENT, NEARLY 8 MONTHS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS NOW CONTINUOUSLY LIT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHICH INDICATES THAT THERE IS NO AIR BAG PROTECTION FOR THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE COST TO REPLACE AND PROGRAM THE PASSENGER POSITION MODULE IS $1540. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL. GM SHOULD NOT BE MANUFACTURING A VEHICLE IN WHICH, AT 51097 MILES, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION. I NOTE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10787574

67,000 miles · Oct 21, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATED THE AIR BAGS WERE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATED THE AIR BAGS WERE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10785185

54,134 miles · Oct 20, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE PART…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEAD LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE 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 54,134. UPDATED 02/19/16*LJ; UPDATED 04/24/18*JB *CN

NHTSA ODI #10783583

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART 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. THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART 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. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/16/16*LJ UPDATED 03/17/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10783424

58,000 miles · Oct 15, 2015
Exterior Lighting

WAS DRIVING 50 MILES HR ON OLDLANDIS AVE HEAD LIGHTS SHUT OFF TWICE WENT ON TO SHOULDER ALMOST CRASHED IN DITCH HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH HIGH BEAMS

NHTSA ODI #10782597

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10782045

34,447 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET @ 25MPH NEAR THE PARKWAY ENTRANCE MY ENGINE CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LITE ON OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM AT ANYTIME BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATIO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET @ 25MPH NEAR THE PARKWAY ENTRANCE MY ENGINE CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT RESTART. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LITE ON OR INDICATION OF A PROBLEM AT ANYTIME BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND FOUND THAT ONE OF THE IGNITION COILS (CYL. 1 & 4) HAD MELTED AND SPLIT AND THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE HAD BURNED OUT. (I HAVE RETAINED THE OLD PARTS FOR FUTURE EXAMINATION IF NEEDED). THE COST OF REPAIR, PARTS AND TOWING WAS $438. IT WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THE BREAKDOWN OCCURRED WHERE IT DID BECAUSE IN A FEW MINUTES I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY AND BRIDGE. NOTE: VEHICLE MANUFACTURE DATE WAS SEPT. 2007 BY GM OF CANADA

NHTSA ODI #10778692

56,000 miles · Sep 24, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA ODI #10776303

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

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.