Buick Lacrosse 2005–2009
1st generation · GM W-body
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,613 complaints, 1,210 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 39,451 and 94,500 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 15 complaints (1.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 15,000
- 25%
- 39,451
- Median
- 65,000
- 75%
- 94,500
- 90%
- 130,675
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 63 | 5.2% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 29 | 2.4% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 28 | 2.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 23 | 1.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 32 | 2.6% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 43 | 3.6% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 32 | 2.6% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 53 | 4.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 43 | 3.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 68 | 5.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 57 | 4.7% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 53 | 4.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 79 | 6.5% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 54 | 4.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 58 | 4.8% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 41 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 60 | 5.0% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 43 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 49 | 4.0% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 27 | 2.2% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 36 | 3.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 25 | 2.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 35 | 2.9% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 18 | 1.5% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 23 | 1.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 10 | 0.8% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 17 | 1.4% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 13 | 1.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 11 | 0.9% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 7 | 0.6% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 14 | 1.2% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 12 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 11 | 0.9% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 15 | 1.2% |
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.
Owners filed 1,613 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 1,210 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 39,451 and 94,500 miles. The median is 65,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the exterior lighting (29.4% of complaints, typically around 79,000 miles), the electrical system (22.3% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles), the airbag system (12.0% of complaints, typically around 54,000 miles).
2 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Exterior lighting79,000median 79,000 miles, middle half 56,000 to 108,000
- Electrical system70,000median 70,308 miles, middle half 47,000 to 107,000
- Airbag system54,000median 53,700 miles, middle half 33,000 to 78,000
- Steering50,000median 50,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 82,000
- Engine86,000median 86,413 miles, middle half 60,000 to 110,000
- Transmission and driveline61,000median 61,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 81,000
- Brakes57,000median 57,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 100,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 474 | 29.4% | 79,000 | 56,000–108,000 |
| Electrical system | 359 | 22.3% | 70,000 | 47,000–107,000 |
| Airbag system | 194 | 12.0% | 54,000 | 33,000–78,000 |
| Steering | 114 | 7.1% | 50,000 | 27,000–82,000 |
| Engine | 45 | 2.8% | 86,000 | 60,000–110,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 44 | 2.7% | 61,000 | 22,000–81,000 |
| Brakes | 40 | 2.5% | 57,000 | 40,000–100,000 |
| Suspension | 36 | 2.2% | 60,000 | 16,000–81,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 34 | 2.1% | 40,000 | 23,000–84,000 |
| Body structure | 33 | 2.0% | 59,000 | 26,000–82,000 |
Which systems, and when
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 29.4% of complaints (474 reports, 345 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 29.4% 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 22.3% of complaints (359 reports, 235 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,308 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 47,000 and 107,450 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 12.0% of complaints (194 reports, 153 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 53,700 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,811 and 78,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 7.1% of complaints (114 reports, 99 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,000 and 82,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 2.8% of complaints (45 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,413 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 2.7% 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.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2005 model year drew the most — 414 complaints — while 2009 drew the fewest at 146. The median year sits at 343.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 2 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.
Reported severity
Of the 1,613 complaints filed against this generation, 71 reported a crash; 62 reported a fire; 49 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 4.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 39,451 and 94,500 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 70,308, 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.
Documented problems
Engine - Timing Chain 2005–2009 (3.6L LY7)
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)
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 414 | 298 |
| 2006 | 383 | 281 |
| 2007 | 327 | 238 |
| 2008 | 343 | 278 |
| 2009 | 146 | 115 |
Recalls (2)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 15V519000 | 2016-05-17 | Exterior Lighting:headlights |
| 14V355000 | 2014-09-23 | Electrical System:ignition |
What owners reported
I was merging onto the nj tpk at 14a heading west, on the road for less than a minute, about 4 feet before merge, heard a clunking noise and my front passenger tire felt flat. I pulled over and called for help. The sunoco DOT came and said tire was good, but rim blew out. When changing original tire to the donut, my…
2005 · 30 miles · Wheels
Dt: the consumer complained about a problem with the air bag on the passenger's side. The air bag sensor was deactivating when his wife was in the passenger's side seat. The passenger weighed 121 pounds. The air bag will stay on and activate when the owner was in the seat weighing about 50 pounds more than the…
2005 · 40 miles · Airbag system
Dt*: the contact stated the horn on the right side of the steering wheel will not sound . The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership on four separate occasions. The dealer replaced the air bag twice and was unable to correct the problem. The manufacturer was alerted and offered to extend the warranty…
2005 · 94 miles · Electrical system
Consumer noticed a soft spot located on the vehicle trunk lid. Took vehicle to the dealer. The dealer took consumer to inspect several other vehicles which had the same problem. Dealer informed the consumer that was the normal characteristic of that vehicle. *Ak trunk lid made noise when the consumer touched it.…
2005 · 170 miles · Body structure
Built from 1,210 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page