2008 Buick Lucerne
The Verdict
The 2008 Buick Lucerne has 218 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (88 complaints) and engine (85 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 51/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Buick Lucerne, consider the 2011 model year which has 77% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2011 has 77% fewer complaints
View the 2011 Buick Lucerne 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.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
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Complaints
Yes, as I was driving down the highway doing the current speed limit my hood had a complete failure where the adhesive for the hood separated completely in the top layer flew off, obstructed my driving for more than 10 seconds then flew off and almost hit multiple cars behind me. Thank goodness this caused me to pull over off the road, but the safety of others and I were at very harms way due to a malfunction in the vehicles quality of built in the glue separation.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated, and the message "Add Engine Oil" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred immediately. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the TCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred approximately a week later. The vehicle was then towed to the same independent mechanic, where it was determined that the coil pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle experienced a rough idle and was undrivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,500.
I purchased the vehicle a week before the incident. There were no warning lights or messages and nothing to indicate there was a problem. I was driving in a crowded parking lot so I was going very slow. When I turned my car suddenly died. My husband was passenger and my daughter and 2 sons were in the back. Smoke started coming from the seat and we all rushed out of the car while the seat was on fire. my husband pulled the seat out and put the fire out. I was not aware the battery is located under the back seat. I had the car towed and inspected by a mechanic. I was told the battery does not have a cover so the metal from the seat was touching the battery causing the fire. The battery is a top post battery that is recommended for this vehicle. I can find no information about a battery cover. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have photos and the report from the mechanic but I'm having trouble uploading them
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel pump relay and fuse had melted, and the fuse box located underneath the rear seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.
Fuse box (rear) 2008 Buick Lucerne CXL. FUEL PUMP Relay burns fuses out quickly. The fuse box located under the back seat has been having issues of burning where the fuel pump relay is located. It then in turn shorts out the fuse box which keeps needing to be replaced. This is a safety issue as it catches fire under the back seat. Fuse box has been replaced before and continues to have issues and melts, causing the vehicle to die in mid traffic, does at stop lights or even just parked and running it dies out and smells like burning plastic. The fuse box has caught fire several times. The issue has been confirmed by several mechanics and dealerships. Also there is a history of electrical problems with the rear fuse box in carfax. There was no warning, and now the check engine light is illuminated. We bought the vehicle last year in June of 2024. There seem to be no problems at the time until shortly after we had bought the vehicle. Turns out there's a long history of electrical problems involving the rear fuse box with this vehicle. I have uploaded screenshots of the car report on this vehicle. There are more complaints.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed the vehicle lost motive power with the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Electrical Relay/Fuse box in the back under the driver's side passenger seat. we thought at first it was the battery. We replaced the battery the connections. The car sometimes starts sometimes doesn't. We've messed with the relays pulling them out and back in and it trys to turn over clicks and doesn't but has full power to the car there is also signs of extreme heat maybe fire from the battery to the metal frame of the back seat insert
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that immediately after his wife had started the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently lost power and was unable to be restarted. After a visual inspection of the battery compartment, the contact observed that the fuse relay showed signs of an electrical fire. 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 notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was not available.
Vehicle shuts off due to fuel pump relay connection problem which is due to the back seat rubbing against the fuse box
Our Buick Lucerne would crank but wouldn't turn over when trying to start after trying to pick up take out. 1) It was suggested to me by a passerby that it sounds like a fuel pump relay. 2)I started to smell something burning. The passerby who happens to be familiar with Buick Lucerne tried to help. He lifted the back seat and showed me the fuel pump relay which was burned. Then he switched the electrick window relay which is the exact same relay switch and the car started. Went immediately to an autozone and bought spare fuel pump relay. Thought that solve the problem, but every 2 to 3 days I'd smell that burning smell. 3) The mechanic I've been going to for 10 years confirmed the issue 4)Have not taken to dealer or insurance rep 5)Absolutely no visual warning on dashboard. the warning happens when I start smelling the burning odor. Started one and a half months ago....
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact referred to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V441000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The transmission started not shifting as I was driving down the road and the relay fuse box caught on fire and I think it’s where the back seat lays on top of the fuse box which rubs the fuses. Which is dangerous bc it catches on fire and could blow the car up while driving
Vehicle refused to start. No warning light illuminated on dash. Checked Fuel Pump Relay and it was burned. Replaced and it keeps burning and getting extremely hot. Relay has been replaced x4. Fuse Box is starting to melt. Wiring to Fuel Pump is free of any corrosion on wiring/prongs. Interior starts to smell of heavy smoke increasing the risk of a FIRE in the rear seats.
Bought my car Sept. 2022.Within the first couple of months I started having intermittent problems that seemed fuel related.After some research I found out my car had a TSB that has been out since 2016. With this knowledge I took the back seat out of my car and the problems all stopped.June of 2023 started having some problems that were sort of similar to what I was experiencing before with some power loss, had vehicle taken to mechanic who diagnosed an interlock system problem.I thought maybe that would fix all my problems and put my back seat back. I travel 4 hours once a month to go see my son and only took my car once on that trip because of not being able to have a back seat.Me thinking the interlock fix was the solve all to my problems I put the back seat in and started my drive to go see my son. 3 hours in stop for gas, try to start my car, cranks won’t start, not getting fuel. Called mechanic who just worked on my car, suggested to check my fuel pump fuse and fuel relay, find my fuel relay is melted. Replace fuel relay and pulled the back seat out, car fires right up no problems. Continue hour drive to see my son, picked up my son so had to put the back seat in. Drive about 7 blocks and stop at Walmart, try to start car and same problems as before. Replace Fuel relay, propped up the back seat around the fuse box trying to still make it safe enough for my son to ride back there, no more problems that trip, propped seat left leaning in the back. August-Was driving down the Highway at 65mph with the cruise on, when all of a sudden my car begins to lose power and proceeds to stall with no warning. Lost complete control of steering and had minimal control breaking, had to coast to a stop with no breaks or steering, lucky was on a straight rural hwy, can’t imagine if I was in the city. Seat had fallen up against fuse box fried fuel relay again and the control module. Take to shop for repair, control module, fuel pump replaced NSB complete all at my expense.
I went to start the vehicle and it failed to start. I found the fuel pump relay to be badly burned . On the 30 pin. The board was melted at the 30 pin spot for the fuel pump relay. I purchased a new relay from NAPA. I questioned whether they had a new replacement fuel pump. They told me it was not available only through the dealership. My concern was that where the relay was located at there was a possibility of a fire given how badly the relay and board was burned. I replaced the relay and purchased an extra incase this might happen again. To my surprise it happen just days later while I was driving on the expressway. I had to get off the road immediately. Engine died, no power steering. I checked the relay, it was smoking hot. I will have to have the problem resolved. There is no way a relay should ever get hot, let alone that hot. The fuel pump fuse was not effected. Why is the relay not protected from getting so hot. There is definitely a real risk of fire. No one sits in the back seat normally. But, my grandson's. This should not ever happen.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after investigating the failure online, her husband purchased a fuse box relay from an unknown dealer and installed the part underneath the rear seats of the vehicle. The vehicle then started; however, the failure recurred approximately 5 days later. The contact's husband replaced the relay for a second time; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the fuse box relay had melted and there was smoke. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V240000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,500.
The fuse box under the back seat has been having issues of burning for the fuel pump relay. It then in turn shorts out the fuse box which keeps needing to be replaced. This is a safety issue as it it catch fire under the back seat.
The fuse block is shorting out and melting and causing the fuel pump relay to burn.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the pressure from the rear driver's seat caused a short in the fuel pump and the relays, and that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the independent mechanic had previously replaced six relays and the fuel pump; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
OUR FUZE BOX IS LOCATED UNDER REAR SEAT. THE RELAY FUZE FOR THE FUEL PUMP MELTED SO BAD IT WAS HOT AND COULD OF CAUSED FIRE. AM HEARING ALOT OF PEOPLE SAYUNG THEY HAVE SAME ISSUE
218 total