2005 Buick Lacrosse
The Verdict
The 2005 Buick Lacrosse has 314 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (164 complaints) and body (81 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 42/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Buick Lacrosse, consider the 2019 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2019 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2019 Buick Lacrosse dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 4
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 INVOLVE...
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...
Remedy
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 STATE...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 P...
Risk
PUSHING ON THE PEDAL WILL NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
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 ...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 ...
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 ca...
Remedy
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, 201...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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,...
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.
Remedy
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 ...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Get notified if a recall hits this car.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
Gas. Leaking car smoking and cutting off
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.
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.
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 FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.
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.
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) 820-0280) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE AFTER A MONTH OF DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR CUSTODY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DISMISSED THE ISSUE STATING THAT THEY ONLY DEALT WITH NEWER VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED LOCKED IN CAR AND ALMOST DIED DUE TO HEAT. *TR
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
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONKLIN FANGMAN BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 3200 MAIN ST, KANSAS CITY, MO 64111, (816) 759-0853), WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,421.
2005 BUICK LACROSSE AIRBAG LIGHT TENTATIVELY TURNS ON. THIS MODEL HAS AIRBAG RECALL.
IGNITION IT STARTS AND IT DONT START I SEE RECALL FOR MY YEAR CAN SOMEONE CONTACT ME TO LET ME KNOW IF I NEED TO HAVE RECALL DONE
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL "RANDOMLY" SHUT OFF. GIVING NO INDICATION OTHER THEN DIMMING LIGHTS. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR THE GARAGE I WENT TO CAN EXPLAIN IT. THE POWER STEERING DOESNT WORK AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY AND TOWN ROADS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR EVERYTHING WAS PERFECTLY WORKING.I PARKED FOR THE NIGHT BEHIND MY HOUSE NO PROBLEMS. I WENT TO DRIVE MY CAR THE NEXT MORNING AND ALL OF THE DASH GAUGES AS WELL AS THE REVERSE LIGHTS WERE OUT. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE CLUSTER PANEL WAS REPLACED WITH NO LUCK OF THE PROBLEM BEING RESOLVED. FUSES WERE REPLACED ALSO. THIS IS NOT ONLY UPSETTING BUT IT IS ALSO DANGEROUS. I CAN NOT AND DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE OR HOW FAST I AM TRAVELING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS COME UP BEFORE WITH NO SOLUTION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
MY HEAD LIGHTS WON'T COME ON AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ALL DAY LONG WHILE DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. UPDATED 11/20/18*JB
MY TCS & ABS LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. I AM UNABLE TO GET A LOT OF POWER AFTER STOPPING & MY CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ENGAGE. ??? THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN ALL BUICK LACROSSES. RECALL?????
I BELIEVE MY CAR IS INVOLVED IN THE BUY BACK . I HAVE LEATHER SEATS AND AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ITEMS ARE PLACED ON SEAT. I HAVE TO SMACK THE PASS SEAT BOTTOM THEN A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE LIGHT GOES OFF I WOULD LIKE INFO ON MY CONCERN DUE TO NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.
MY STEERING SEEMS TO BE LOOSE WAY TO MUCH PLAY I'VE TIGHTENED A BOLT ON BOTTOM OF STEERING ARM THING TWICE STILL IS COMING LOOSE DIFFICULT TO STEER ALSO SEEMS TO BE MISSING RUBBER OR DEFECTIVE PRICES .WILL CRASH CAN'T CONTROL CAR .STABILITY CONTROL ISSUES OVER AND OVER ALSO TC. AND AIR BAGS ARE FAULTY.IN MOTION MAJOR STEERING PROB.
TAKATA RECALL
314 total