2010 Buick Lucerne
The Verdict
The 2010 Buick Lucerne has 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (18 complaints) and electrical (15 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 86/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Buick Lucerne, consider the 2011 model year which has 9% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2011 has 9% fewer complaints
View the 2011 Buick Lucerne dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
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 1
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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....
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.
Remedy
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 CADILLA...
Reported May 11, 2010
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
We have a Buick Lucerne 2010. We went out it would not start. Tow it to dealership they replace the fuel pump. We did. Get it home next day it will not start again. Tow it to dealership again. This time they find melted wire connectors. Under back seat and on a fuse box.They replace them it starts and melt them again. This time they call to junk yards to get a used fuse box and connectors. Because of cost. The junk yards did tell them it's a known problem with these cars and they sell these fuse boxes and connectors sell as fast as they get them. We said no used parts on this car. Come to find out that GM now's about this problem. And has not done anything about it. They meaning GM. Has even put out papers on the internet as how to try and fix it. Such as cut the insulation around the fuse box.And even cutting the seat belt bracket. My wife drives this car everyday. Now she is afraid of it. Because if it happened once could it happen again. I don't now. I have drove GM's all my life but am not happy about this. What do I do. Please help. I am a retired firefighter and I do not want her to drive this car if it could catch fire.
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that there was a burning odor in the cabin of the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed the contact that the fuse box was overheating and beginning to melt. The fuse box relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer contacted the dealer, who confirmed it was a known issue and that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed there were no recalls. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the engine shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle restarted independently after 10-15 minutes. The messages "Reduced Engine Power", "Starting Disabled", "Service Throttle", "Service Stabili-trak Soon" were displayed, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20-30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two occasions, and the dealer retrieved diagnostic test codes: P2138 and P2122. The dealer replaced the throttle body and the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure mainly recurred while making left turns. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could only assist after the vehicle had been taken to the dealer. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the failure had to happen while driving in the presence of a mechanic, then the vehicle could be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,798.
Rear fuse block, fuel pump relay, gets hot and melts. Apparently due to seat latch pushing against fuse block cover. Smoked, but not fire.
Power steering leak. Relay in rear fuse box, under back seat, burning out. Possibilty of back seat cushion rubbing on fuse box jarring PS relay affecting connection. Safety issue if lose control of power steering. Safety compromised if unable to start car once relay burns out. Engine has turned over without key inserted/FOB pressed.
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while the rear seat was occupied, it was raised up on the battery and fuse box, causing the fuse relay to short circuit. While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse box and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Fuse box melted
I purchased the car from Buick Spec dealership in Prosser WA on Aug. 2, 2021. The car was sold to me with rocket panel damaged, the rear brakes- rotors needed replaced and one side brake completely gone..the pins frozen. The cars transmission fluid dark dirty..low on oil..no coolant or wiper fluid at purchase. They brought car to me during covid. The door didn't shut properly I assumed the rubber around door needed replaced and I planned to have it repaired until I seen a bulge under my driver's side door.took it in and was told by 2 certified auto body places the rocker panel was damaged. My Car started to shimmy when stopping and now the prior recall of fuse relay box burning caused my car to be currently sitting. I don't understand how they could sell me a car like this and this is my complaints. I want my repairs done and money reimbursed I've already paid for. The dealership said because I purchased car AS IS. they aren't responsible to fix. I've owned the car a little over 3 months. This seems unfair and I want answers!!!
See GM Bulletin # 15-na-051 Vehicle died, required tow, found out due to fuel pump relay per bulletin cited above. Rear seat bracket interfered with fuse box, disabling vehicle requiring tow. Vehicle repaired at owners cost. Due to safety factor involved, the seriousness of the situation, for what portion of the costs of repair will the manufacturer be responsible?
INITIAL INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET. DOOR LOCKS POWER CYCLED LOCK/UNLOCK AND THEN THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF. NO WARNING, NO TIME TO MOVE TO OUT OF TRAFFIC OR TURN ON HAZZARD. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK/CHILDCARE ETC. I ALSO TRAVEL OF THE FREEWAY ALOT. THAT WAS THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND UPON DOING RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT IT MAY BE RELATED TO. RELAY ISSUE DUE TO THE FUZE BOX BEING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. GM CLAIMS THAT BECAUSE A BRACKET USED TO FASTEN THE SEAT IN PLACE INTERFERES WITH THE FUZE BOX AND PRESSES DOWN ON THE FUZE PUMP RELAY AND CAUSES IT TO BURN OUT. AFTER SWITCHING OUT THE RELAYS WITH THE SUGGESTED LOWER PROFILE RELAY, THE CAR DROVE FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN WHEN WE PARKED WE COULDN'T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. UPON LIFTING THE BACK SEAT TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WE SMELLED AND HEARD THE FUEL PUMP RELAY BURNING AND SIZZLING. SINCE THE CAR WAS "SERVICED" BY A BUICK DEALER IN JUNE I'M ASSUMING THAT IT WASN'T ACTUALLY SERVICED THE RELAY WAS JUST REPLACED AND MAYBE A FEW OTHER TWEAKS HERE AND THERE BUT THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF THIS CAR. I HAVE CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT. I AM FEARFUL THAT THE CAR WILL CATCH FIRE OR SPARK.
FUSE BOX PROBLEM WITH DESIGN. THE SEAT LATCH DESIGN TOGETHER SHORTS OUT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. THIS GETS HOT, SHORTS OUT AND DAMAGES THE FUEL PUMP AND CAN CAUSE POSSIBLE FIRE. THIS IS A COSTLY DEADLY DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. LUCKY WE FIXED IT IN TIME. I HAVE BABIES THAT SIT IN MY BACK SEAT AND IT'S SCARY TO THINK THAT IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE WITH THEM SITTING THERE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP RELAY. AFTER RECEIVING THE DIAGNOSIS, THE CONTACT HAD THE FUEL PUMP RELAY REPLACED. DESPITE THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE MECHANIC AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HER FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
CAR WOULD NOT START WHILE OUT OF TOWN. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC I TRUSTED (NOT A CERTIFIED BUICK DEALER). REPLACED FUEL PUMP BUT AFTER CAR WAS RUNNING A FEW MINUTES FUSE BOX OVERHEATED AND CAUSED FUEL RELAY TO FAIL. HE CALLED BUICK AND WAS TOLD HOW TO FIX. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IN ORDER FOR FUSE BOX AND RELAY TO BE REIMBURSED BUICK DEALER NEEDED TO SUBMIT CLAIM. SUBMITTED CLAIM AND GOT REIMBURSED FOR FUSE BOX AND RELAY BUT NOT PUMP. AFTER 3-4 MONTHS OF FIGHTING BUICK TO GET FUEL PUMP REIMBURSED, THE DENIED APPEAL. WAS TOLD BY AGENT OF BUICK THAT FUEL PUMP WAS WARRANTED TO 120,000 MILES BUT ONLY IF TAKEN TO BUICK DEALER. I DON'T TRUST THE BUICK DEALERSHIP IN THE TOWN I WAS IN WHEN THE CAR WOULDN'T START, WHICH IS WHY I TOOK TO MECHANIC I TRUSTED. COMMUNICATION WITH BUICK HAS BEEN HORRIBLE...THEY DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO RESPOND UNLESS YOU GET CONTACTING THEM. WE HAVE A 2006 BUICK LUCERNE WITH 205,000 MILES AND IT STILL HAS ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP. CAR COMPLAINTS.COM HAS MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2009 AND 2010 LUCERNE BUT BUICK WON'T STAND BEHIND THEM!
2010 BUICK LUCERNE HAD BEEN DRIVEN HOME AND WAS COOLING IN DRIVEWAY. AFTER TWO HOURS, STARTER WOULD TURN OVER BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT START. BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING PLASTIC INSIDE VEHICLE. FOUND SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN GM SERVICE BULLETIN 15-NA-051. AFTER REMOVING BACK PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION, CHECKED INSIDE REAR FUSE BOX AND FOUND THAT FUEL PUMP RELAY HAD SHORTED AND MELTED THE RELAY AND DAMAGED ADJACENT FUSES WITH BURN MARKS ACROSS SURFACE OF FUSE BOX. WAITING FOR VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC FOR FUSE BOX REPLACEMENT AND TO DIAGNOSE OTHER POTENTIAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY RELAY FAILURE. MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 60,000. ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, BRACKET ON BOTTOM OF SEAT CUSHION PUSHES AGAINST THE FUSE BOX LID, WHICH PUSHES AGAINST THE FUEL PUMP RELAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELAY AND FUSE BOX. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL TO REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW?
CAR WOULD NOT START. NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. WHILE RESEARCHING PROBLEMS FOUND A THREAD ON COMMON ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. TURNS OUT THE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL RELAY. CHECKED THE BOX SURE ENOUGH THE RELAY MELTED. THIS WAS UNDER MY SONS CAR SEAT!!!! IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHY WAS THIS NOT REVIEWED AND RECALLED. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR EVEN DIE? HOW HORRIBLE IS IT THAT A KNOWN ISSUE IS NOT ADDRESSED. AFTER THE RELAY WAS DISCOVERED I ALSO DISCOVER THE FUSE BOX HAS SOME INDENTATIONS. THESE ARE FROM THE SEAT CLAMP.
CAR STARTED AND WAS COOLING DOWN IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT DIED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WOULDN'T RESTART. WE TOWED IT TO A SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE BAD. LATER DISCOVERED A BAD SENSOR AND RELAY. ALL TRACED BACK TO THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAD MELTED DUE TO PRESSURE PUT ON IT BY SEAT AND VARIOUS OCCUPANTS/ITEMS. MECHANIC REPLACED FUSE BOX, RELAY, SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP PLUS WARNED ME NOT TO PLACE ANYTHING HEAVY (OR ALLOW A HEAVY PERSON TO SIT) ON THAT SIDE OF THE BACK SEAT. MILEAGE IS 116,245
TAKATA INFLATORS CAR NOT WANTING TO MISFIRE RECALL ON VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE CONTACT'S FOCUS WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
"TAKATA RECALL" THE FUSE BOARD REPEATEDLY BURNS UP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT AND SIDE TORQUE MOUNT WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
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