2006 Buick Lacrosse: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 299 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (46% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 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 299 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle rear-ended at high rate of speed. Impact included rollover. Driver was buckled but seatbelt and/or seat failure and no air bag deployment for either occupant. Serious bodily injury occurred. Vehicle on hold pending further police investigation and scene reconstruction by multiple agencies.”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2026
“So many issues with the Buick. Made of glass. First I had no coolant line and I took it to be inspected before at, Baumen Ford and they said everything was fine with it. Turns out needed new coolant line, head gasket, timing cover, and switch. 5 new tires, rebuilt transmission, epc solenoid, transmission lines, rear pivot, left front wheel barring, formed band, and many many more. Currently with everything replaced and more that I haven't listed/can't state because don't know the term. Already Has costed me 10k. And still have issues, with the APP, code P1125, P2120, P2138, & C0240. Need to inspect these car Models from 2003-2009 as they all have similar issues and nothing has been done.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Feb 2023
“The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlamps failed to properly illuminate the roadway. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V519000 (Exterior Lightning) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2022
“The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving the headlights became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V519000 (Exterior Lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2021
“Low beam headlights intermittently go out. Work ok one minute, then go dark. Very dangerous. Known issue under GM recall # 14291. The national highway traffic safety administration campaign ID number 15V-519. Problem has been confirmed by West-Herr Dodge in Rochester NY. Per info I have found this does not appear to have been permanently fixed by GM. As such the repair should be done at no charge going forward.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2021
“The stabilizer bar broke and the drivers side wheel had 2 lug bolts break and all the lothers lug nuts spun off. Thank the lord that the wheel did not come off. I called the buick dealership and they want $259.00 for the stabilizer bar that's if I diy the stabilizer bar. Why if you know about this problem. Have you not done anything to fix this problem? This differently a safety issue,”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicles door locks activated independently. Additionally, the headlights turn on and off simultaneously whether the vehicle was stopped or being driven. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of this failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2020
“No power steering present when making left turns and power steering fluid keeps getting low. It mus be topped off every week..”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 buick lacrosse. The contact stated that the low beam headlights went out while the vehicle was traveling at night. The failure recurred in the morning. Faulkner buick gmc harrisburg (2650 paxton st, harrisburg, pa 17111, (877) 891-7240) stated that the special warranty coverage expired in 2017 and there was no recall on the vehicle. The dealer stated that they would call the contact back with an estimate to repair the low beams headlights. The failure mileage was 121,500. *pm *tp”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lacrosse by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Buick Lacrosse reliable?
NHTSA has 299 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (46% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Buick Lacrosse problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Buick Lacrosse have open recalls?
4 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.