2011 Buick Lucerne: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 49 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle purchased used through Carvana. Battery installed at purchase was approximately 10 years old and later failed, causing starting issues and an instance of power loss while driving that left the vehicle stranded. Battery has been replaced and original battery retained.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2025
“ABS light and stability control light on. So I have no ABS function of the brakes. Had front wheel bearing replaced but didn't fix the issue. ABS and traction control module light still on.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2020
“Brake line experienced a catastrophic failure resulting in a rapid loss of all brake fluid and complete loss of brakes while on a city street. Car was towed to the repair shop where it was determined that all brake lines were severely rusted from the outside and one had failed. This car was always garage kept and very infrequently driven on salted streets. All brake had to be replaced. I think it is unreasonable that brake lines should rust out and cause such a failure. Someone could have been killed. A person does not think of their brake lines as requiring constant inspection, like one might keep an eye on the tread on their tires.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine stopped running with no warning. It was repaired by the dealer at no cost under technical service bulletin (tsb) 15-na-051. In addition to the repairs specified in the tsb, the dealer had to replace the rear fuse box and repair the wire to the fuel pump because they were both damaged due to overheating. This is a fire hazard which should have been made a recall instead of an extended warranty.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2020
“The car would not start when I attempted to start it to go to work and had to be towed in for repairs. The fuel pump was found to need to be replaced. One week later the car again would not start and had to be towed for repairs. The problem this time was the rear fuse box that was shorted out due to the bracket rubbing against it, which seems to be a common problem for this model. A recall seems to be indicated because of this.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to buick gmc of beaverton (503-298-4062, located at 9155 sw canyon rd, portland, or 97225) where it was diagnosed that the rear fuse block in the fuel pump relay melted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not called. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2019
“The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while using the front driver's side interior door handle to exit the vehicle, there was an abnormal cracking sound coming from the door. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the front driver's side door handle was replaced approximately 4-5 times. The vehicle was recently repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2019
“On 9/1/18 I drove my car all morning late that night when I went to drive again it wouldn't start and I could smell a little burning. Checked the fuse box and it had blew out a couple of fuses so we changed them. 3days later it did the same thing we changed the fuses again and once again the blew now when we changed them it won't start at all. I had to keep changing the fuel pump fuse and a dealer said it was because of the metal of the seat touching the box .”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2018
“The fuse box that is under the back seat keeps shorting out the relay for my fuel pump. Sometimes my car starts sometimes it doesn't.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2018
“Car was stationary, and attempted to start. Engine was not getting gas. Dealer identified rear fuse box/fuel pump relay was shorted out. He stated this could happen at any time- stationary or going highway speeds. Short in fuse box could result in fire. Short was probably caused by rear seat bracket rubbing on fuse box, as evidenced by markings on fuse box. There are many similar complaints on this same issue on internet sites. Why has this not been investigated?”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COULD WEAR THROUGH THE LINE, CAUSING A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.
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 CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Lucerne 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 2011 Buick Lucerne reliable?
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Buick Lucerne. The most complained-about area is electrical system (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Buick Lucerne problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 42,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Buick Lucerne have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables. 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.