2005 Buick Lacrosse: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 315 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Aug 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 driver's 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.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2026
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2023
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2019
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2019
“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?????”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2018
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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 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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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 at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.
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.
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 MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lacrosse by VIN
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Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Buick Lacrosse reliable?
NHTSA has 315 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Lacrosse problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,800 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Buick Lacrosse have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.