2009 Buick Lacrosse recalls and problems

The 2009 Buick Lacrosse has 2 safety recalls and 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Buick dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
106
Crashes / fires
3 / 4
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2009 Buick Lacrosse vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2009 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.

2009 Buick Lacrosse problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting47
Electrical System31
Air Bags27
Vehicle Speed Control9
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Engine5
Service Brakes3
Power Train3
Seats3
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)3
Unknown or Other2
Structure2

Most reported parts

  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 2
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System — 1
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 1
  • Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 55,012 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 2009 Buick Lacrosse complaints

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

Air Bags · reported Jun 9, 2024
The passenger airbag light started coming on and going off intermittently. After several weeks of this, it was on every time the car is driven. Testing by an ASE certified mechanic revealed that the permanent light results in no front seat airbags. The failed part is the seat presence sensor. The part is - and hasn't been for quite a while - manufactured by GM. Aftermarket parts are costly and the installation cost is in the hundreds of dollars. Research indicates that this is a well-known and long reported issue. Why not a recall years ago? Other than brakes and steering, could there be any…
Air Bags · reported Jul 13, 2023
The air bag light on the dashboard is on all the time.It is available for inspection at any time. I do not know if the bag will go off at any time or does it mean that it won't go off on impact. I am nervous about having someone for a passenger. I have informed the dealership of the problem and they did confirmed the problem, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or others. The light came on the day after I bought the car from the dealership and it has been on every cents.
Engine · at 84,000 miles · reported Sep 30, 2019
Reduced power/traction control light came on suddenly and reduced car power immediately. This made for a very dangerous situation while passing a truck and entering the highway. The car dropped speed very quickly making for a potentially deadly situation. This problem comes and goes with no warning until it happens. Research shows this is a big problem for GM vehicles especially the 2009 buick lacross models. It's a disaster waiting to happen if it hasn't happened already. This needs to be recalled asap.
Engine · at 99,000 miles · reported Apr 9, 2019
The contact owns a 2009 buick lacrosse. When the contact started the vehicle, the check engine and service trac system warning indicators illuminated. Also, the vehicle would not exceed 15 to 20 MPH when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the accelerator pedal was replaced, but the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and started an investigation. The manufacturer informed the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Electrical System · at 134,000 miles · reported Dec 14, 2018
Was driving down road got to my destination parked it and when I came out it would not start found a burnt fuel pump relay changed it and drove it home. 20 min later I drove it again and made it 2 miles same thing happened to relay only when I was driving it.

Other Buick Lacrosse years

Compare all Buick Lacrosse years · All Buick models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Buick Lacrosse have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 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 2009 Buick Lacrosse?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (47 reports), followed by electrical system (31). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 55,012 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.