2009 Buick Lacrosse recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
What could happen: 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.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 LACROSSE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V519000 (manufacturer code 14291).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-521-7300.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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, 2006-2…
What could happen: 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.
The 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 LACROSSE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Buick dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V355000 (manufacturer code 14299).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-521-7300.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2009 Buick Lacrosse owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Lights (47), Electrical system (31), Airbags (27), Vehicle Speed Control (9), Engine (6).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/09/2024 · Airbags
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…
12/02/2023 · Lights
My headlamps have been going out sporadically and until recently I was able to
07/13/2023 · Airbags
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 th…
12/28/2022 · Electrical system
Passenger airbag intermittently turns on and off when passenger is seated.
09/30/2019 · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
04/09/2019 · Vehicle Speed Control
TL* 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…
12/14/2018 · Electrical system
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.
11/18/2018 · Electrical system
TAKATA RECALL.. ALL OF MY WARNING DASH LIGHTS ARE ON AT TIMES OR THE WHOLE DASH, RADIO AND EVERYTHING GO OUT THEN COMES BACK, THE IGNITION HAS BEEN PAUSING BEFORE IT TURNS OVER, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR RATTLES, ABS, T/C AND AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS ON.. I HAVE REPLACED 1000.00S OF DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING CHANGES. I HAVE RE…