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2008 Buick Lacrosse Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 250 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Buick Lacrosse, most often about the electrical (34% of complaints, typically around 56,000 miles). It is 4th of 15 Lacrosse model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 Buick Lacrosse problems
Electrical
84 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring.
I turned the key in the ignition to start the car. Immediately, a very large roar ( like an airplane) occurred just as the engine started. I turned off the ignition fearful of damage to the engine, not knowing what might happen. It would not restart. It was towed to the dealership to have it repaired. The ignition…
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…
Air bags
77 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Seat belt module failure, intermittent. Occurs either while driving or upon start-up. Air bags are inoperable when indicator light is on. Not related to any known incident. This vehicle has only 60,00 miles on it. Problem appeared at about 50,000 miles.
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…
Lights
61 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
For the third time, this vehicle has died at a standstill for no apparent reason. It will be performing well until parked. After a span of time, it will not restart. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the motor will not catch or turn over, the key will freeze or lock in the ignition in the "on" position…
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lacrosse. While driving at night at approximately 70 MPH, the low beam headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was maneuvered to a safe location. The failure recurred intermittently. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign number: 14v755000 (exterior lighting); however, the part…
Engine
17 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles.
While driving, the engine light came on, followed shortly thereafter by the traction control light.then the engine began to lose power and the accelerator pedal did not work. A notice appeared on the dash control: "engine power reduced" and "service traction control". If I held the accelerator pedal down all the way…
While driving approximately 25-30 MPH the engine died, steering failed; I was able to come to a safe stop. The vehicle would not start. It had to be towed. Later found out the ignition coil was cracked (part # 10472401) , ignition control module replaced (part # 19245558) & 15a fuse were replaced. I had been…
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles.
First issue car will shut off driving down the freeway doing 60 70 miles an hour it will just shut off and I have to coast to the side and wait and wait till it starts again very dangerous. Next issue is the airbag light flashes on and off I'm assuming do I do to a pressure sensor in the passenger seat which I have a…
I just purchased this car last week and I noticed when I hit the lock on the fob, my alarm would sound, but my door looks wouldn't close. So I tried it in my car as well with the locks on the door and nothing. The unlock works perfect by the way (fob & door locks). I manually lock my doors at night and in the morning…
Steering
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion.
There is a NHTSA service bulletin id # 10024713 related to a power steering leak caused by a defective part or design. The bulletin recommends a tie down strap to prevent hose wear and resulting leakage of fluid. Loss of power steering and/or damage to the power steering unit can result from this leak. I believe Buick…
The contact owned a 2008 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering and brakes seized without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a concrete pole, gas meter, and tree; however, the engine continued to rev. The contact had to make several attempts to turn…
Doors and locks
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors.
The contact owns 2008 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that all the doors had become inoperable and as a result, the door locks failed to unlock or lock. The contact mentioned that in one occasion the doors failed to unlock which prevented her from exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The…
The power door locks do not work either with door switches or the remote fab. Only way to lock or unlock doors is to manually lock or unlock doors, except one door which will lock and unlock with key. Remote start doesn't work because door can't be locked with fab. Took to dealer and was told that 3 doors needed to…
Brakes
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the driver engaged the brakes and the pedal emitted a loud metal noise. The contact mentioned that the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to and independent mechanic where the brake pads, brake drums and rotors were…
Sometimes when brakes are applied, the car does not come to a smooth stop, but rather jerks ahead and takes a very long distance to stop. This occurs often on snow covered roads but also occurs on dry roads. My daughter was in a small accident because the car did not stop in time. The message to check the ABS often…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Buick Lacrosse recalls
Lights: headlights
Risk: 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.
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 1-800-762-2737. Gm's number for this recall is 14291.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
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. 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of headlights
Summary
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 vehicle
Questions about the 2008 Buick Lacrosse
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Buick Lacrosse?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (84 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); air bags (77 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); lights (61 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Buick Lacrosse have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 14, 2015 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Buick Lacrosse?
- It is 4th of 15 Lacrosse model years by number of complaints, with 250 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.