The 2005 Buick LaCrosse has 5 safety recalls and 315 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (84 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints315filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 6reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
2005 Buick LaCrosse in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 15V519000 · Aug 14, 2015 · 429,170 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
Electrical system › Ignition
NHTSA recall 14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles
Problem: 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.
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.
Steering
NHTSA recall 09E005000 · Feb 17, 2009 · 979 vehicles
Problem: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 06V417000 · Oct 31, 2006 · 794 vehicles
Problem: 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 COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Risk: 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 A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
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 IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
Problem: 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.
Risk: PUSHING ON THE PEDAL WILL NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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 CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2005 Buick LaCrosse 4-DR
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Wiring › Interior/under dash
84
2
4
0
95,000 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights
82
0
3
0
90,000 mi
Steering Column; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
51
2
0
3
35,321 mi
Air bags Frontal › Sensor/control module; Frontal
34
4
0
2
75,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Pedals and linkages
23
0
0
0
3,868 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Driveline
19
0
0
0
72,500 mi
Structure Body; Body › Door
16
1
0
2
30,000 mi
Suspension Front
13
0
0
0
35,000 mi
Service brakes
13
2
0
1
72,405 mi
Vehicle speed control Cruise control; Accelerator pedal
11
1
0
0
6,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system
11
0
0
0
33,600 mi
Unknown or other
7
1
1
0
111,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 13, 2026Tires The contact owns a 2005 Buick LaCrosse equipped with Venom Power Tires, Tire Line: Ragnarok GTS, Tire Size: 235/35/VR20, DOT Number:1WP2CTPWL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driverâs side tire became flat. The contact exited the vehicle and became aware that the sidewall of the tire had separated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The tire dealer was not notified of the failure. The tire was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. The VIN was not available.
Apr 16, 2026Electrical system Gas. Leaking car smoking and cutting off
Jul 15, 2023 · 89,000 milesElectrical system 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 restarting the vehicle, the vehicle seemed to return to normal functionality; however, the failure had since become a regular failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Mar 28, 2022 · 90,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument cluster/panel The contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the instrument panel was inoperable. The battery was replaced several times however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the mileage control circuit had malfunctioned. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Jul 15, 2020 · 24,000 milesSteering TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SMART CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC (3 SMART DR, WHITE HALL, AR 71602, (870) 543-2200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD DETACHED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E005000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…
Oct 11, 2020 · 138,000 milesVehicle speed control I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 50MPH AND THE CAR STALLED AND WENT DOWN TO 20MPH AND IT SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO 20MPH ALL THE WAY HOME. MY CAR INSURANCE APP HAS ENGINE ALERTS AND IT STATED IT IS THE THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH 'D'/'E' VOLTAGE CORRELATION. THE THE ALERT STATED IT WAS URGENT BECAUSE IT DECREASES THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND THE ENGINE MAY ENTER LIMP HOME MODE. I WAS VERY LUCKY NO CARS WHERE BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Jul 22, 2019Electrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALLOWED OTHER COMPONENTS TO FUNCTION INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE HEATER, AND THE DOOR LOCKS. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED AND WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS HACKED. THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO START OR TURN OVER. THE ENGINE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS ONCE LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST SUFFERED FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DISABLED. JEFF KEY MOTORS (2889 US HIGHWAY 431, ANNISTON, AL 36206, (256)…
Jun 6, 2017 · 90,000 milesAir bags WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS I HAVE NOTICED THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY, EVERY MONTH OR SO FOR A FEW HOURS TO A DAY. WHILE AT THE DEALER I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I START THE CAR TO MAKE A TRIP TO A STORE OR OTHER DAILY DRIVES. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING TO THE DEALER WITH IT ON. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
