Model year record

2011 Buick Lucerne recalls & problems

The 2011 Buick Lucerne has 2 safety recalls and 49 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (23 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints49filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 3reported in complaints

NHTSA overall3–4 ★crash-test stars

2011 Buick Lucerne in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJun 23, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V3550003,141,731 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.

Electrical systemNov 5, 2010

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 10V55300013,780 vehicles

Problem: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COULD WEAR THROUGH THE LINE, CAUSING A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.
Risk: A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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

2011 Buick Lucerne 4 DR FWD Later Release

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.1%

Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Optional

2011 Buick Lucerne 4 DR FWD Early Release

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.1%

Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: Optional

2011 Buick Lucerne NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2011 Buick Lucerne NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

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.

Fuel economy

Lucerne FFV

21mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Lucerne

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical system	23	0	3	0	106,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	5	2	0	3	24,100 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	4	0	1	0	—
Service brakes	4	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system	3	1	0	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	3	0	0	0	—
Engine	3	0	0	0	18,723 mi
Visibility	2	0	0	0	—
TiresSidewall	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	0	0	0	—
Steering	2	0	0	0	—
EquipmentOther › Owners/service/other manual	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
Vehicle purchased used through Carvana. Battery installed at purchase was approximately 10 years old and later failed, causing starting issues and an instance of power loss while driving that left the vehicle stranded. Battery has been replaced and original battery retained.
Oct 17, 2025
Structure › Body
The vehicleâs instrument cluster appears to be a non-original unit that may not be correct for the model year. The cluster is responsible for displaying the odometer and communicating with other vehicle systems. After purchase, I observed that diagnostic scan tools could not consistently access or communicate with multiple modules, and an experienced mechanic indicated the instrument cluster may be incompatible with the vehicleâs configuration. Because the odometer reading is displayed through this component, there is concern that the mileage may not be independently verifiable. The vehicle otherwise operates, but diagnostic communication inconsistencies raise questions about the…
Apr 18, 2026
Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel pump relay is overheating to dangerously high temperatures. At least 211 F degrees. Causes the fuel pump fuse to melt leaving me stranded. Immediate replacement of the 20 AMP fuse is necessary to get the car running again. The fuel pump relay gets really hot even if the AC is not on. Waited for hour and a half in near 100 F degree heat for a tow truck to it home. Iâm lucky the car did not catch on fire. I know quite a few of the Buick Lucerneâs have had recalls regarding this item. Picture of the actual car is included. No police report was necessary as this was a breakdown situation. This has utterly disrupted my life because I do not have access to a car with good air…
Mar 23, 2026
Structure › Body › Door › Handle › Interior
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while using the front driver's side interior door handle to exit the vehicle, there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from the door. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the front driver's side door handle was replaced approximately 4-5 times. The vehicle was recently repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Jan 28, 2019 · 28,000 miles
Tires › Sidewall
Passenger rear tire blew out the side wall all around the tire. The dealer that installed the tire has it for warranty. It was an large noise and I was able to pull to the side of the road immediately without loosing control. Yes the problem was reported to the dealer that put the new Falken tires on my car in September of 2025. The tires only had about 2,000 miles. My tire has tire pressure monitors on it, they did not alert me to a low tire pressure. I do have a few pictures of the tire showing the whole side wall blew out all around the tire. I am concerned for the safety of my family and anyone else that has this tire. I still have 4 of these tires on my car and I am worried that if…
Jan 2, 2026
Service brakes
Several malfunction indicator lights in dash appeared suddenly. Car would not start after shutting off. Finally started and drove to repair shop. Diagnosed as faulty ride height sensor. Shop searched for part at several dealers and online and found the part was discontinued in 2021. I contacted Buick and was offered $1500 off on a new GM car. I have not received any suggestions on how to repair the car or remove malfunction indicator lights which I specifically asked for. The repair shop is waiting for me to find the part and I have not been able to find one. Dealers have no answer and neither does Buick. The repair shop says it will start if sensor is unplugged but suspension will not work…
Feb 21, 2024
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle failed to start-up without warning. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the circuit board which was in the rear back seat. The contact stated that the rear seat latches had rubbed against the circuit box, causing the circuit to overheat. The circuit board was replaced. The contact then stated that upon entering his vehicle while in a parking lot, blueish colored smoke was coming from the vehicle. The contact removed the back seat and saw that the circuit board had started melting. The Police were first called to the scene and the Fire Department then arrived and was able to…
Oct 13, 2022 · 198,000 miles
Service brakes
ABS LIGHT AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ON. SO I HAVE NO ABS FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES. HAD FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED BUT DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE LIGHT STILL ON.
Oct 7, 2020

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.