Buick Lacrosse 2005–2009 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · GM W-body
NHTSA data through 24 September 20261,224 complaints, 903 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2005 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 315
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2005
- Exterior lighting82 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Electrical system80 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Steering51 reports · median 35,000 mi
4 recall campaigns name the 2005: Exterior lighting — headlights; Electrical system — ignition; Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2006 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 79,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 303
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2006
- Exterior lighting157 reports · median 89,000 mi
- Electrical system83 reports · median 77,000 mi
- Airbag system38 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2006: Exterior lighting — headlights; Electrical system — ignition; Air bags — frontal. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2007 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 67,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 250
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2007
- Exterior lighting125 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Electrical system75 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Steering22 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2007: Exterior lighting — headlights; Electrical system — ignition; Fuel system, gasoline — storage. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2008 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 54,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 250
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2008
- Electrical system84 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Airbag system77 reports · median 50,000 mi
- Exterior lighting61 reports · median 60,000 mi
2 recall campaigns name the 2008: Exterior lighting — headlights; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2009 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 106
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2009
- Exterior lighting47 reports · median 55,000 mi
- Electrical system31 reports
- Airbag system27 reports
2 recall campaigns name the 2009: Exterior lighting — headlights; Electrical system — ignition. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2006 reports latest and the 2008 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2006 has had 2 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2005–2009 Buick Lacrosse reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 65,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 132,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 903
- Recalls
- 5
Most reported
- Exterior lighting38.6% of complaints · median 79,000 mi
- Electrical system28.8% of complaints · median 71,000 mi
- Airbag system15.8% of complaints · median 54,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine - Timing Chain2005–2009
- Transmission2005–2009
- Engine - Cooling2005–2009
Owners filed 1,224 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2009 Buick Lacrosse; the exterior lighting leads with 38.6% of them, and half of the 903 that record an odometer reading came by 65,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,000 and 96,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2005–2009 Buick Lacrosse last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2005–2009 Buick Lacrosse, half of the 903 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 65,000 miles and 90% by 132,000 miles.
61 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 12 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Lacrosse reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Buick Lacrosse 2005–2009 · 903 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 98 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 12 complaints (1.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 14,000
- 25%
- 40,000
- Median
- 65,000
- 75%
- 96,500
- 90%
- 132,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 72 | 8.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 36 | 4.0% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 55 | 6.1% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 62 | 6.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 78 | 8.6% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 84 | 9.3% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 98 | 10.9% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 74 | 8.2% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 75 | 8.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 55 | 6.1% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 48 | 5.3% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 40 | 4.4% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 24 | 2.7% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 25 | 2.8% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 16 | 1.8% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 19 | 2.1% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 12 | 1.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 8 | 0.9% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 8 | 0.9% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 12 | 1.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Lacrosse problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Buick Lacrosse 2005–2009
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Steering115 reports52,00027,000–84,000Steering: 115 reports, median 52,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 84,000 miles.
- Airbag system194 reports54,00033,000–78,000Airbag system: 194 reports, median 54,000 miles, middle half 33,000 to 78,000 miles.
- Brakes40 reports57,00040,000–100,000Brakes: 40 reports, median 57,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline44 reports61,00022,000–81,000Transmission and driveline: 44 reports, median 61,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 81,000 miles.
- Electrical system353 reports71,00047,000–108,000Electrical system: 353 reports, median 71,000 miles, middle half 47,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting472 reports79,00056,000–108,000Exterior lighting: 472 reports, median 79,000 miles, middle half 56,000 to 108,000 miles.
- Engine45 reports86,00060,000–110,000Engine: 45 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 110,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 472 | 38.6% | 79,000 | 56,000–108,000 |
| Electrical system | 353 | 28.8% | 71,000 | 47,000–108,000 |
| Airbag system | 194 | 15.8% | 54,000 | 33,000–78,000 |
| Steering | 115 | 9.4% | 52,000 | 27,000–84,000 |
| Engine | 45 | 3.7% | 86,000 | 60,000–110,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 44 | 3.6% | 61,000 | 22,000–81,000 |
| Brakes | 40 | 3.3% | 57,000 | 40,000–100,000 |
| Suspension | 36 | 2.9% | 60,000 | 16,000–81,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 34 | 2.8% | 40,000 | 23,000–84,000 |
| Body structure | 33 | 2.7% | 59,000 | 26,000–81,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 65,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The exterior lighting accounts for 38.6% of complaints (472 reports, 343 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 56,000 and 108,000 miles.
A single system taking 38.6% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The electrical system accounts for 28.8% of complaints (353 reports, 232 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 47,000 and 108,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 15.8% of complaints (194 reports, 153 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 54,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 33,000 and 78,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 9.4% of complaints (115 reports, 100 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,000 and 84,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 3.7% of complaints (45 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 110,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 3.6% of complaints (44 reports, 37 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 61,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 81,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2005–2009 Lacrosse
Engine - Timing Chain 2005–2009
3.6L LY7 DOHC V6 timing chain stretch from wear on the chains, guides and tensioners, setting P0008/P0009/P0011/P0016 correlation codes with a cold-start rattle; aggravated by extended oil change intervals. GM issued TSBs and special coverage on the 3.6L family.
Transmission 2005–2009
4T65-E 4-speed automatic pressure-control solenoid and 3-4 clutch wear causing harsh or delayed shifts, particularly on higher-torque 3.6L and 5.3L applications.
Engine - Cooling 2005–2009
3.8L Series III V6 upper/lower intake and plenum sealing leaks are a lower-frequency issue than on earlier GM 3.1L/3.4L V6s; the Series III is generally the durable choice in this generation.
Before you buy a 2005–2009 Lacrosse: the 3-minute check
Generated from 903 mileage-tagged complaints, 5 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine - timing chain on 2005–2009 (3.6L LY7) cars. 3.6L LY7 DOHC V6 timing chain stretch from wear on the chains, guides and tensioners, setting P0008/P0009/P0011/P0016 correlation codes with a cold-start rattle; aggravated by extended oil change intervals. GM issued…
- Check transmission on 2005–2009 cars. 4T65-E 4-speed automatic pressure-control solenoid and 3-4 clutch wear causing harsh or delayed shifts, particularly on higher-torque 3.6L and 5.3L applications.
- Check engine - cooling on 2005–2009 (3.8L) cars. 3.8L Series III V6 upper/lower intake and plenum sealing leaks are a lower-frequency issue than on earlier GM 3.1L/3.4L V6s; the Series III is generally the durable choice in this generation.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 40,000 and 96,000 miles, with a median of 65,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the exterior lighting and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 71,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Lacrosse problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi43% below | At 90k mi70% below | At 120k mi86% below | At 150k mi93% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 56,000–108,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 47,000–108,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 33,000–78,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 27,000–84,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 60,000–110,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 22,000–81,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 40,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Buick Lacrosse 2005–2009 · 903 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 43% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 70% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 86% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.3% of reports (12) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2005–2009 Buick Lacrosse recalls (5)
NHTSA records 5 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Aug 2015 · 2005–2009 · Exterior LightingHeadlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Jun 2014 · 2005–2009 · Electrical SystemIf the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash…
The defect. 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.…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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.…
Oct 2006 · 2007 · Fuel System, GasolineWith this condition, fuel and/or fuel vapors could seep out between the layers, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. On certain vehicles, the fuel tank is missing the adhesive layer that bonds the barrier layer to the outer shell of the fuel tank.
What can happen. With this condition, fuel and/or fuel vapors could seep out between the layers, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the serial number on the fuel tank and replace the fuel tank if necessary. The recall began on november 13, 2006. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet at…
Oct 2006 · 2005–2006 · Air BagsIf the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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…
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2005 · 2005 · Service Brakes, HydraulicPushing on the pedal will not apply the brakes and a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the clip that secures the brake pushrod to the brake pedal arm pin could have been bent when it was installed. A bent clip may come off, allowing the brake booster pushrod to separate from the brake pedal.
What can happen. Pushing on the pedal will not apply the brakes and a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
The free fix. Dealers will install a new brake pedal push rod bushing and retaining clip and, if the clip was missing, a new brake pedal arm assembly free of charge. The recall began on april 26, 2005. Owners may…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,224 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 46 (3.8%)
- Fires
- 41
- Injury reports
- 21
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Lacrosse problems by model year
The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 315, most of them about the exterior lighting, and the 2009 the fewest, 106. A typical year drew about 250.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 315 | 224 | 65,000 | Exterior lighting (82) | 4 |
| 2006 | 303 | 220 | 79,000 | Exterior lighting (157) | 3 |
| 2007 | 250 | 179 | 67,000 | Exterior lighting (125) | 3 |
| 2008 | 250 | 200 | 54,000 | Electrical system (84) | 2 |
| 2009 | 106 | 80 | 55,000 | Exterior lighting (47) | 2 |
What Lacrosse owners reported
The contact owns a 2007 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor coming from the vents and the headlights were inoperative. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the…
2007 · 331,000 miles · Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the headlights activated, the front driver’s and passenger’s side low-beam headlights intermittently failed to remain illuminated, making it difficult to see the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle…
2006 · 119,000 miles · Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (Electrical System) and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and the contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the road. After…
2005 · 89,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2007 Buick Lacrosse. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (Electrical System). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the recall repair performed. The contact stated that in May 2022, while driving 25 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated no warning…
2007 · 100,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Built from 903 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Lacrosse generations
- Lacrosse 2010–2016 582 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system