Buick Lacrosse 2005–2009 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · GM W-body
NHTSA data through 18 October 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
Recall areas Exterior lighting — headlights · Electrical system — ignition · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
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
Recall areas Exterior lighting — headlights · Electrical system — ignition · Air bags — frontal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
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
Recall areas Exterior lighting — headlights · Electrical system — ignition · Fuel system, gasoline — storage
Check the VIN at NHTSA
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
Recall areas Exterior lighting — headlights · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
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
Recall areas Exterior lighting — headlights · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2006; earliest: the 2008, and the 2006 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
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 — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 40,000 to 96,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2005–2009 Buick Lacrosse last?
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 (why that is not a lifespan).
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
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, 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%
- 96,000
- 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.
Common Lacrosse problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Buick Lacrosse 2005–2009
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Steering115 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 27,000–84,000
- Airbag system194 reportsmedian 54,000middle half 33,000–78,000
- Brakes40 reportsmedian 57,000middle half 40,000–100,000
- Transmission and driveline44 reportsmedian 61,000middle half 22,000–81,000
- Electrical system353 reportsmedian 71,000middle half 47,000–108,000
- Exterior lighting472 reportsmedian 79,000middle half 56,000–108,000
- Engine45 reportsmedian 86,000middle half 60,000–110,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
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 |
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.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine - timing chain on 2005–2009 (3.6L LY7) cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check transmission on 2005–2009 cars.
- Check engine - cooling on 2005–2009 (3.8L) cars.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Lacrosse problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| 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
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 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 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2005–2009 Buick Lacrosse recalls (5)
NHTSA records 5 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
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
Out of 1,224 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 46 (3.8%)
- Fires
- 41
- Injury reports
- 21
- Fatality reports
- 0
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 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Lacrosse generations
- Lacrosse 2010–2016 582 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system