BUICK LACROSSE · model year

2008 BUICK LACROSSE

343 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008BUICKLACROSSE carries 343 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 9 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 LACROSSE is electrical system with 76 filings, followed by air bags (75) and exterior lighting (58). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2008 LACROSSE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

343
Complaints
16
Crashes
9
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

343 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM76
AIR BAGS75
EXTERIOR LIGHTING58
ENGINE17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER14
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES14
STEERING13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
SERVICE BRAKES10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL7
SEATS6
POWER TRAIN5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3

Recalls (2)

14V35500023/06/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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 certai

15V51900014/08/2015

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 headlam

Recent Complaints

20240930AIR BAGS

Air bag light comes on is also intermitt some times stays on and someimes on only for a minute or two

20240416EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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).

20230831EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

20230831UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

20220420EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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.

Mileage: 41,000

20211026AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 50,000

20210808ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20210401AIR BAGS

THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 30196 MILES ON IT.THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I NOTICED THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL BUICK LACROSSE.WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED ON THESE VEHICLES.

Mileage: 30,196

20210202UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WITH EITHER THE FOB OR THE INTERIOR LOCK BUTTON ON EITHER DOORS. I'M READING ON LINE OF SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL WHERE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK!

Mileage: 45,000

20210121ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS JUST GO OFF FOR NO REASON. WHEN DRIVING HOME ON NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE NEST DAY, THEY WORKED. THEY CONTINUE TO WORK, BUT THE NIGHT THEY WENT OUT WAS VERY DISTURBING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ON STATE HGWY, GETTING READY TO TURN TO THE RIGHT.

Mileage: 125,000

20210121UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS JUST GO OFF FOR NO REASON. WHEN DRIVING HOME ON NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE NEST DAY, THEY WORKED. THEY CONTINUE TO WORK, BUT THE NIGHT THEY WENT OUT WAS VERY DISTURBING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ON STATE HGWY, GETTING READY TO TURN TO THE RIGHT.

Mileage: 125,000

20201208EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I DID LOOK UP ANY RECALLS, WHICH THERE WAS FOR THIS, BUT IT SHOWS THAT IT WAS FIXED. WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ISSUES FOR THE FIRST 9 MONTHS AND HAVE NOW REPLACED THE BULB SEVERAL TIMES. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT IS HAPPENING WHILE MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING THIS AT NIGHT IN A RURAL AREA WITH A LOT OF DEER AND OTHER ANIMALS RUNNING INTO THE ROADS.

Mileage: 120,000

20201019EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE HDM FAILED LEAVING ME WITH ONLY HIGH BEAMS, HAVE BEE TOLD THEY ARE NOT UNDER RECALL. SHAMROCK SERVICE CENTER, SPENT 1 AND 1/2 HRS DIAGNOSING AND FOUND NO RECALL. MANY OTHER MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I AM RETIRED AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR. WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR ME. WHEN I TURNED ON THE LIGHTS TO GO HOME LAST WEEK, THERE WERE NO LIGHTS BUT HIGH BEAMS. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BULBS, SO I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND I AM WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN. I KNOW THIS WILL BE EXPENSIVE AS I THINK ITS AROUND $100.00 PER HR. IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHERE I DISCOVERED IT. HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE HIGH BEAMS.

Mileage: 160,000

20201018VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ONCE IN A WHILE IT ACTS UP WHERE IT STATES THAT IT'S GOT LOW OIL PRESSURE EVEN THO IT'S GOT PLENTY OF OIL,ALSO IT HAS MISFIRED DURING WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT'S LIKE THIS: I'M DRIVING. EVERYTHING IS FINE UNTIL ALL OF THE SUDDEN I NOTICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALSO THE T/C LIGHT COMES ON AND IT ALSO STATES THE LOW OIL PRESSURE AND THE ACCELERATION PEDAL IT ACTS UP. FOR EXAMPLE, I'M GIVING GAS AND IT ISN'T ACCELERATING AS MUCH AS IT SHOULD BE AND IT TOTALLY FLUCTUATES. I'VE ALSO HAD THE CAR MISFIRE AND SHUT OFF DURING ONE OF THESE EPISODES AS WELL. THESE EPISODES OF WHAT I HAD JUST DESCRIBED COMES AND GOES AND ACTUALLY IT STAYED GONE FOR A GOOD WHILE NOW UNTIL JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO. THE GUY WHO SOLD ME THIS CAR TOLD ME THAT THERE'SA RECALL ON WHATEVER ISSUE I'M HAVING WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL (I PLUGGED IN FIXD TOOL WHICH TELLS ME WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND GIVES ME TWO CODES THE CODES BEING: P: 2138 AND CODES P: 1125.

Mileage: 40,000

20201002EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND THE HEADLIGHTS DIDN'T WORK WHEN I GOT IT. THE HI BEAMS AND YELLOW MARKER LIGHTS DO WORK. JUST NOT THE LO BEAMS. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 9/28/20, IT HAD 124,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT

Mileage: 124,000

20200819AIR BAGS

RED AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. MANY OWNERS OF THESE CARS HAVE COMPLAINED. IT IS A POOR DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, THERE IS NO AIR BAGS THAT WORK. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE WIRING AND IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM WHICH COSTS NEARLY 1K FOR A NEW SEAT BLADDER WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MANY OWNERS OF THESE MODELS ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEMS IN THESE VEHICLES. WHY HASN'T GM BEEN ORDERED TO REPAIR ALL OF THESE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE SYSTEMS? NEVER HAD AN AIR BAG PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. LIGHT IS ON STEADY NOW AND ALL AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED DUE TO THIS ONE PROBLEM. NOT A GREAT DESIGN AND AS A SAFETY ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE A MANDATORY REPAIR BY GM. NONE OF MY OTHER BRANDS-FORD, NISSAN, OR HONDAS HAVE EVER HAD AN AIR BAG PROBLEM. THIS IS ANOTHER IGNITION KEY DESIGN TYPE LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ORDERED? OVER 70 COMPLAINTS RIGHT HERE FOR SAME ISSUES. WHEN IS SOMETHING GOING TO BE DONE BEFORE DEA

Mileage: 150,000

20200419CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT ROUGHLY 30 MILES AN HOUR AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 78,000

20200419CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT ROUGHLY 30 MILES AN HOUR AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 78,000

20200419CrashSUSPENSION

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT ROUGHLY 30 MILES AN HOUR AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 78,000

20200105AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF AND I'VE HAD CLOSE CALLS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND SIDE STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

Mileage: 61,000

Compare 2008BUICKLACROSSE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 BUICK LACROSSE have?
The 2008 BUICK LACROSSE has 343 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 9 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 BUICK LACROSSE?
Yes, the 2008 BUICK LACROSSE has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 BUICK LACROSSE?
The most-complained component for the 2008 BUICK LACROSSE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 76 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2008 BUICK LACROSSE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.