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Vehicle Stats/Buick/Lucerne Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Aug 2026Methodology

Buick Lucerne Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

Poor reliability signalOur verdict from 943 complaints and 17 recalls on NHTSA record

Comparing used Buick Lucerne options? We analyzed 6 model years (2006–2011) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

943
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
17
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
74
Crash-Related
crash complaints
50
Fire-Related
fire complaints
60
Injuries Reported
across all years
6
Years Analyzed
2006–2011

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Found a Buick Lucerne? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.

  • Accident & damage history
  • Odometer rollback records
  • Open recalls & title brands
NMVTIS official data Instant results No signup for the preview
Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Buick Lucerne has 943 owner complaints and 17 safety recalls across model years 2006–2011. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2008 drew the most complaints; 2009 drew the fewest.

Buick Lucerne — key reliability facts
Make
Buick
Model
Lucerne
Model years analyzed
2006–2011 (6 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
943
Safety recall campaigns
17
Crash-related complaints
74
Fire-related complaints
50
Worst model year (by complaints)
2008 (218 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2009 (128 complaints)
Top reported issue area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Reliability signal
Poor
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) · Data last refreshed Aug 23, 2026
This Lucerne has 17 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free →

By model year

Buick Lucerne: which years to avoid & which to buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
2008218 complaints2009128 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
2009128 complaints2008218 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2008 Buick Lucerne? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year — averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free →

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

20112011 Buick Lucerne 4 DR FWD Later Release
Overall Safety
4/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
2/5
Rollover Risk
5/5
How to read NCAP stars
5 stars — Excellent
4 stars — Good
3 stars — Average
2 stars — Below average
1 star — Poor

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the complaint data suggests

Poor
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The BUICK LUCERNE has 943 NHTSA complaints and 17 recalls on record. 74 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 943 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 17 federal recall campaigns
  • 74 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume — popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2008
218
2009
128

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

17 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

#10V553000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLESMay 11, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

#10V553000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLESMay 11, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#10V240000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 6, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#10V240000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 6, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#10V240000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 6, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#10V240000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 6, 2010
Safety recall

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

#07V468000STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSApril 10, 2007
Safety recall

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

#06V105000STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONSMay 4, 2006
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#08V441000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#08V441000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#08V441000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2006–2011. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

Common problems

What goes wrong most often

The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 943 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM399 complaints
02
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM106 complaints
03
STRUCTURE101 complaints
04
STEERING83 complaints
05
AIR BAGS79 complaints
06
ENGINE77 complaints
07
SERVICE BRAKES54 complaints
08
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL45 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

943 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMAug 2025

We have a Buick Lucerne 2010. We went out it would not start. Tow it to dealership they replace the fuel pump. We did. Get it home next day it will not start again. Tow it to dealership again. This time they find melted wire connectors. Under back seat and on a fuse box.They replace them it starts and melt them again. This time they call to junk yards to get a used fuse box and connectors. Because of cost. The junk yards did tell them it's a known problem with these cars and they sell these fuse boxes and connectors sell as fast as they get them. We said no used parts on this car. Come to find out that GM now's about this problem. And has not done anything about it. They meaning GM. Has even put out papers on the internet as how to try and fix it. Such as cut the insulation around the fuse box.And even cutting the seat belt bracket. My wife drives this car everyday. Now she is afraid of it. Because if it happened once could it happen again. I don't now. I have drove GM's all my life but am not happy about this. What do I do. Please help. I am a retired firefighter and I do not want her to drive this car if it could catch fire.

FireELECTRICAL SYSTEMJun 2025

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that there was a burning odor in the cabin of the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed the contact that the fuse box was overheating and beginning to melt. The fuse box relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer contacted the dealer, who confirmed it was a known issue and that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed there were no recalls. The failure mileage was unknown.

ENGINEFeb 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the engine shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle restarted independently after 10-15 minutes. The messages "Reduced Engine Power", "Starting Disabled", "Service Throttle", "Service Stabili-trak Soon" were displayed, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20-30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two occasions, and the dealer retrieved diagnostic test codes: P2138 and P2122. The dealer replaced the throttle body and the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure mainly recurred while making left turns. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could only assist after the vehicle had been taken to the dealer. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the failure had to happen while driving in the presence of a mechanic, then the vehicle could be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,798.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJan 2024

Rear fuse block, fuel pump relay, gets hot and melts. Apparently due to seat latch pushing against fuse block cover. Smoked, but not fire.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSep 2023

Power steering leak. Relay in rear fuse box, under back seat, burning out. Possibilty of back seat cushion rubbing on fuse box jarring PS relay affecting connection. Safety issue if lose control of power steering. Safety compromised if unable to start car once relay burns out. Engine has turned over without key inserted/FOB pressed.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApr 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while the rear seat was occupied, it was raised up on the battery and fuse box, causing the fuse relay to short circuit. While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse box and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Read 14 more owner reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFeb 2022

Fuse box melted

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKESNov 2021

I purchased the car from Buick Spec dealership in Prosser WA on Aug. 2, 2021. The car was sold to me with rocket panel damaged, the rear brakes- rotors needed replaced and one side brake completely gone..the pins frozen. The cars transmission fluid dark dirty..low on oil..no coolant or wiper fluid at purchase. They brought car to me during covid. The door didn't shut properly I assumed the rubber around door needed replaced and I planned to have it repaired until I seen a bulge under my driver's side door.took it in and was told by 2 certified auto body places the rocker panel was damaged. My Car started to shimmy when stopping and now the prior recall of fuse relay box burning caused my car to be currently sitting. I don't understand how they could sell me a car like this and this is my complaints. I want my repairs done and money reimbursed I've already paid for. The dealership said because I purchased car AS IS. they aren't responsible to fix. I've owned the car a little over 3 months. This seems unfair and I want answers!!!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMOct 2021

See GM Bulletin # 15-na-051 Vehicle died, required tow, found out due to fuel pump relay per bulletin cited above. Rear seat bracket interfered with fuse box, disabling vehicle requiring tow. Vehicle repaired at owners cost. Due to safety factor involved, the seriousness of the situation, for what portion of the costs of repair will the manufacturer be responsible?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHERNov 2020

INITIAL INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET. DOOR LOCKS POWER CYCLED LOCK/UNLOCK AND THEN THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF. NO WARNING, NO TIME TO MOVE TO OUT OF TRAFFIC OR TURN ON HAZZARD. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK/CHILDCARE ETC. I ALSO TRAVEL OF THE FREEWAY ALOT. THAT WAS THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND UPON DOING RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT IT MAY BE RELATED TO. RELAY ISSUE DUE TO THE FUZE BOX BEING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. GM CLAIMS THAT BECAUSE A BRACKET USED TO FASTEN THE SEAT IN PLACE INTERFERES WITH THE FUZE BOX AND PRESSES DOWN ON THE FUZE PUMP RELAY AND CAUSES IT TO BURN OUT. AFTER SWITCHING OUT THE RELAYS WITH THE SUGGESTED LOWER PROFILE RELAY, THE CAR DROVE FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN WHEN WE PARKED WE COULDN'T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. UPON LIFTING THE BACK SEAT TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WE SMELLED AND HEARD THE FUEL PUMP RELAY BURNING AND SIZZLING. SINCE THE CAR WAS "SERVICED" BY A BUICK DEALER IN JUNE I'M ASSUMING THAT IT WASN'T ACTUALLY SERVICED THE RELAY WAS JUST REPLACED AND MAYBE A FEW OTHER TWEAKS HERE AND THERE BUT THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF THIS CAR. I HAVE CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT. I AM FEARFUL THAT THE CAR WILL CATCH FIRE OR SPARK.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMOct 2020

FUSE BOX PROBLEM WITH DESIGN. THE SEAT LATCH DESIGN TOGETHER SHORTS OUT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. THIS GETS HOT, SHORTS OUT AND DAMAGES THE FUEL PUMP AND CAN CAUSE POSSIBLE FIRE. THIS IS A COSTLY DEADLY DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. LUCKY WE FIXED IT IN TIME. I HAVE BABIES THAT SIT IN MY BACK SEAT AND IT'S SCARY TO THINK THAT IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE WITH THEM SITTING THERE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSep 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP RELAY. AFTER RECEIVING THE DIAGNOSIS, THE CONTACT HAD THE FUEL PUMP RELAY REPLACED. DESPITE THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE MECHANIC AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHUTOFF AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HER FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMNov 2019

CAR WOULD NOT START WHILE OUT OF TOWN. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC I TRUSTED (NOT A CERTIFIED BUICK DEALER). REPLACED FUEL PUMP BUT AFTER CAR WAS RUNNING A FEW MINUTES FUSE BOX OVERHEATED AND CAUSED FUEL RELAY TO FAIL. HE CALLED BUICK AND WAS TOLD HOW TO FIX. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IN ORDER FOR FUSE BOX AND RELAY TO BE REIMBURSED BUICK DEALER NEEDED TO SUBMIT CLAIM. SUBMITTED CLAIM AND GOT REIMBURSED FOR FUSE BOX AND RELAY BUT NOT PUMP. AFTER 3-4 MONTHS OF FIGHTING BUICK TO GET FUEL PUMP REIMBURSED, THE DENIED APPEAL. WAS TOLD BY AGENT OF BUICK THAT FUEL PUMP WAS WARRANTED TO 120,000 MILES BUT ONLY IF TAKEN TO BUICK DEALER. I DON'T TRUST THE BUICK DEALERSHIP IN THE TOWN I WAS IN WHEN THE CAR WOULDN'T START, WHICH IS WHY I TOOK TO MECHANIC I TRUSTED. COMMUNICATION WITH BUICK HAS BEEN HORRIBLE...THEY DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO RESPOND UNLESS YOU GET CONTACTING THEM. WE HAVE A 2006 BUICK LUCERNE WITH 205,000 MILES AND IT STILL HAS ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP. CAR COMPLAINTS.COM HAS MANY INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2009 AND 2010 LUCERNE BUT BUICK WON'T STAND BEHIND THEM!

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMOct 2019

2010 BUICK LUCERNE HAD BEEN DRIVEN HOME AND WAS COOLING IN DRIVEWAY. AFTER TWO HOURS, STARTER WOULD TURN OVER BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT START. BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING PLASTIC INSIDE VEHICLE. FOUND SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN GM SERVICE BULLETIN 15-NA-051. AFTER REMOVING BACK PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM CUSHION, CHECKED INSIDE REAR FUSE BOX AND FOUND THAT FUEL PUMP RELAY HAD SHORTED AND MELTED THE RELAY AND DAMAGED ADJACENT FUSES WITH BURN MARKS ACROSS SURFACE OF FUSE BOX. WAITING FOR VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC FOR FUSE BOX REPLACEMENT AND TO DIAGNOSE OTHER POTENTIAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY RELAY FAILURE. MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 60,000. ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN, BRACKET ON BOTTOM OF SEAT CUSHION PUSHES AGAINST THE FUSE BOX LID, WHICH PUSHES AGAINST THE FUEL PUMP RELAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELAY AND FUSE BOX. WHY HAS THERE BEEN NO RECALL TO REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMOct 2019

CAR WOULD NOT START. NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. WHILE RESEARCHING PROBLEMS FOUND A THREAD ON COMMON ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. TURNS OUT THE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL RELAY. CHECKED THE BOX SURE ENOUGH THE RELAY MELTED. THIS WAS UNDER MY SONS CAR SEAT!!!! IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHY WAS THIS NOT REVIEWED AND RECALLED. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE INJURED OR EVEN DIE? HOW HORRIBLE IS IT THAT A KNOWN ISSUE IS NOT ADDRESSED. AFTER THE RELAY WAS DISCOVERED I ALSO DISCOVER THE FUSE BOX HAS SOME INDENTATIONS. THESE ARE FROM THE SEAT CLAMP.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMAug 2019

CAR STARTED AND WAS COOLING DOWN IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT DIED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WOULDN'T RESTART. WE TOWED IT TO A SHOP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE BAD. LATER DISCOVERED A BAD SENSOR AND RELAY. ALL TRACED BACK TO THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAD MELTED DUE TO PRESSURE PUT ON IT BY SEAT AND VARIOUS OCCUPANTS/ITEMS. MECHANIC REPLACED FUSE BOX, RELAY, SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP PLUS WARNED ME NOT TO PLACE ANYTHING HEAVY (OR ALLOW A HEAVY PERSON TO SIT) ON THAT SIDE OF THE BACK SEAT. MILEAGE IS 116,245

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJun 2019

TAKATA INFLATORS CAR NOT WANTING TO MISFIRE RECALL ON VEHICLE.

STEERINGMay 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS A DISTRACTION TO THE CONTACT'S FOCUS WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFeb 2019

"TAKATA RECALL" THE FUSE BOARD REPEATEDLY BURNS UP

ENGINESep 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT AND SIDE TORQUE MOUNT WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Showing 20 of 943 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check the exact car

Before you buy, check the exact Buick Lucerne

These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

The basics

How to read this data

Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Buick Lucerne, in plain English.

01

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Buick Lucerne has 943 complaints on record across 6 model years.

02

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Buick Lucerne has 17 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 74 of the Buick Lucerne's 943 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

05

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Buick Lucerne vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Buick Lucerne vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

07

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Buick Lucerne has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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By state

Check a Buick Lucerne by state

Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Buick Lucerne.

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Buick Lucerne reliability — frequently asked questions

Is the Buick Lucerne reliable?

Poor. The Buick Lucerne has 943 NHTSA owner complaints and 17 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which Buick Lucerne years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2008 (218 complaints), 2009 (128 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common Buick Lucerne problems?

Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (399 complaints); FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (106 complaints); STRUCTURE (101 complaints).

Does the Buick Lucerne have recalls?

Yes — 17 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Buick Lucerne. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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