2008 Buick Lacrosse recalls and problems

The 2008 Buick Lacrosse has 2 safety recalls and 251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Buick dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

251

Crashes / fires

12 / 6

Injuries / deaths

6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Buick Lacrosse vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Buick Lacrosse recalls

Recall 15V-519: Exterior Lighting

Reported Aug 14, 2015 · 429,170 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 14V-355: Electrical System

Reported Jun 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

2008 Buick Lacrosse problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	86
Air Bags	77
Exterior Lighting	63
Engine	17
Latches/Locks/Linkages	15
Unknown or Other	14
Steering	14
Vehicle Speed Control	10
Service Brakes	10
Seats	6
Suspension	5
Power Train	5

Most reported parts

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 7
Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 4
Suspension › Rear — 2
Structure › Body — 2
Structure › Body › Door — 2
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers — 2
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 1
Air Bags › Frontal — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 53,718 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Buick Lacrosse complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting · reported Apr 16, 2024

On three occasions, when driving at night, both headlights suddenly went out. The next day the headlights were working normally. The dealer's service department could not find anything wrong. Later, we found out there was a "Safety Recall" (#14291),but it expired one year before our car developed the problem. We have contacted the dealership and Buick, neither one will help us. They expect us to pay for the replacement of the defective part (Headlamp Driver Module).

Exterior Lighting · reported Aug 31, 2023

My vehicle has been parked for the better of about two years due to head lamp failure and engine shutting off without warning at any particular time. Steps were made to fix the issue but the problem continues still to this day.

Exterior Lighting · at 41,000 miles · reported Apr 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the headlights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the headlamps had failed. The headlamps were replaced and the failure was remedied however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V519000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 41,000.

Air Bags · at 50,000 miles · reported Oct 26, 2021

The contact owns a 2008 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Electrical System · reported Aug 8, 2021

Door locks somtimes would lock or unlock and other times not work at all. Made it a issue when parking or entering the car. I had to replace the lock mechanism in the doors. The car has 99135 miles on it but should not have a problem especally the back doors since they are not used very often.

Other Buick Lacrosse years

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 200920082007 2006 2005

Compare all Buick Lacrosse years · All Buick models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Buick Lacrosse have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 Buick Lacrosse: 15V-519 (exterior lighting), 14V-355 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Buick Lacrosse?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (86 reports), followed by air bags (77). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 53,718 miles.

Are Buick recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Buick dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.