Buick

Lucerne (1st)

2006-2011 · Full-Size Sedan ยท 4 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.7)
938 NHTSA Complaints
6 Recalls
50 Fire Reports
74 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
2/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 3/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
2/5
Rollover
5/5 (10.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: Optional

Engine Reliability Ratings

LZ9

3.9L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.7)
36 complaints 18.0 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

LD8

4.6L 8-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.3)
117 complaints 38.0 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
38
body
21
engine
18
steering
13
safety systems
11

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (38 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (21 complaints)
Engine Issues (18 complaints)

LGD

3.9L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.1)
158 complaints 52.7 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
19 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
85
fuel system
47
engine
14
other
12
interior
9

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (85 complaints)
Typical onset: 75,000โ€“129,000 mi Est. repair: $686โ€“$1,000 (6 reports)
Fuel System Issues (47 complaints)
Typical onset: 77,700โ€“117,000 mi
Engine Issues (14 complaints)

L26

3.8L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
498 complaints 99.6 per year Gasoline
22 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
217
body
66
engine
61
fuel system
59
safety systems
55

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (217 complaints)
Typical onset: 31,435โ€“89,250 mi Est. repair: $325โ€“$1,120 (15 reports)
Body/Trim Issues (66 complaints)
Typical onset: 53,750โ€“79,869 mi Est. repair: $250โ€“$1,425 (6 reports)
Engine Issues (61 complaints)
Typical onset: 46,500โ€“84,000 mi

3 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Buick Lucerne regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (364 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (117 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Engine Issues (94 complaints)
engine critical
Body/Trim Issues (87 complaints)
body critical
Safety Systems Issues (67 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (6)

14V355000Jun 22, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

10V553000May 10, 2010serious
Electrical System

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.

10V240000Apr 5, 2010serious
Electrical System

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

08V441000Aug 27, 2008serious
Electrical System

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

07V468000Apr 9, 2007critical
Structure

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 118, 'POWER OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION, AND ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS.' UNDER THE STANDARD, THE SUNROOF MAY ONLY BE CLOSED WHEN THE IGNITION IS ON, OR AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF, BUT BEFORE EITHER OF THE FRONT DOORS ARE OPENED. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION WHERE THE SUNROOF CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THE DOORS ARE OPENED.

06V105000May 3, 2006serious
Steering

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 ENGINE,THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY CRIMPED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne problems?

The 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne has accumulated 938 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Fuel System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Buick Lucerne engine is most reliable?

The 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne was offered with 7 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.8L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne a good used car?

The 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 938 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne have?

The 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne has 938 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne?

There are 6 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Buick Lucerne?

Before buying a used Buick Lucerne, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Fuel System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Lucerne?

The 2011 Buick Lucerne received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 2 stars. Rollover: 5 stars (10.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 938 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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