What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 Buick Lacrosse

Typical pattern

4.7% of complaints about the 2008 Buick Lacrosse came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (84 complaints), typically at 7.0 yr or about 56,000 miles.

Complaints
342
Median age at failure
7.1 yr
Median mileage
55,000 n=278
Crash / fire / tow
7.3% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
84 reports · 56,000 mi
7.0 yr
9.5%
Air bags
77 reports · 50,000 mi
6.9 yr
2.6%
Exterior lighting
62 reports · 61,000 mi
7.5 yr
4.8%
Engine
17 reports · 61,000 mi
6.8 yr
0%
Latches / locks
15 reports · 58,000 mi
5.8 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V519000 2015-08-14
Exterior lighting:headlights

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.

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.

14V355000 2014-06-23
Electrical system:ignition

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 caus

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.

In owners’ own words

Air bags 12 mi 3 mo in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS AN INDICATOR LIGHT THAT IS EITHER OFF OR ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN AN OCCUPANT IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGERS ARE NOT HEAVY ENOUGH AND SHOULD WEIGH AT LEAST 80 LBS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE WEIGHS MORE THAN 80 LBS. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF UPDATED 02/19/08 *TR
Air bags 78,000 mi 3.0 yr in service
AIR BAG PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT SHOWS OFF EVEN WITH A PASSENGER SEATED. PASSENGER IS WELL ABOVE 80LBS. INDICATOR LIGHT ON DIC SHOWS SEAT BELT NOT BEING WORN EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER HAS ONE ON. *TR
Air bags 48,800 mi 4.9 yr in service
THE AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNED ON FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS SO I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A FAULTY RIGHT FRONT SEAT MAT ASSEMBLY. THEY REPLACED IT AT A COST OF $710. I DO NOT THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE FAILED. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING EVEN WITH A PERSON SITTING THERE AND SEATBELT ON. THEY CLEANED CORRODED CONNECTIONS. IT CERTAINLY APPEARS A DEFECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE AIRBAG INDICATORS. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system 487 mi 6 mo in service
INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL NOT LIGHT UP WHEN TURNED ON. CANNOT READ SPEED AND OTHER GAUGES DURING DAYTIME. THIS IS THE THIRD BUICK OF MINE SO AFFLICTED. *TR

Other Lacrosse model years

201320122011201020092008200720062005

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