RoadVitals

2005 Buick Lacrosse Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Apr 25, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 314 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Buick Lacrosse submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 25, 2017

I MADE A STOP AT THE STOP SIGN ON RIDGE HILL DR AND HICKORY HILL RD. AS I TURN LEFT ON HICKORY HILL RD MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE MOTOR. SO I STAYED TRAVELING THE SAME DIRECTION ON HICKORY HILL RD TO THE AUTO ZONE ON THE RIGHT THAT'S LOCATED ON HICKORY HILL RD AND WINCHESTER RD. I PURCHASED IGNITION COILS, WIRES, AND SHARK PLUG FOR MY VEHICLE. I GET ON HICKORY HILL RD HEADING TO RAINES RD. I GET THE RED LIGHT ON HICKORY HILL RD AND RAINES RD I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN AS I TRAVEL DOWN HICKORY HILL RD I STARTED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY TWO FRONT SEATS. I MADE A RIGHT ON RIDGE HILL DR TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE AT MY RELATIVE HOME. I CALLED A MECHANIC TO DO THE LABOR ON THE VEHICLE JUST IT WAS STILL IN THE SAME CONDITION AFTER THE NEW PARTS. SO I CAME TO MY VEHICLE TO GET MY PERSONAL ITEMS THAT THURSDAY APRIL 20,2017 I NOTICE A DEEP BURN LOCATION ON THE MIDDLE OF THE CARPET. I THEN PULL THE FRONT CARPET UP AND I SEEN EVERYTHING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED.

NHTSA ID
10980472
Incident
Apr 17, 2017
Mileage
93,285 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE APPEARED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING WIRE AND THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE COIL AND SPARK PLUGS. AFTER THE CONTACT DROVE HOME WITH THE VEHICLE, IT DID NOT START AGAIN AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,159.

NHTSA ID
10874199
Incident
May 28, 2016
Mileage
107,159 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 7 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED AND DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FOR SHORT AMOUNTS OF TIME BEFORE IT WOULD STALL AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S MAIN COMPUTER WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000....UPDATED 06/30/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID
10870343
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Mileage
179,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Sep 9, 2015

S10- DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT REGARDING ASSISTANCE WITH A SAFETY RECALL OF A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN GO OFF. THE DEALER STATED IT WOULD COST $150 TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED SLIGHTLY WHEN DRIVING UP A SHORT HILL. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER CONCLUDED THE FENDER WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE WHEN TURNING LEFT AND THEY SIMPLY RE-POSITIONED THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER. ON ONE OCCASION, WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED, THE POWER STEERING PUMP, TRANSMISSION, WATER PUMP AND ENGINE WERE ALL LEAKING FLUIDS. ALSO, THE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 12/17/15 *JB

NHTSA ID
10702602
Incident
Nov 26, 2014
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND STARTER DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,380.

NHTSA ID
10670202
Incident
Jan 4, 2015
Mileage
112,380 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10637588
Incident
Jul 31, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10626429
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10626268
Incident
Apr 21, 2014
Engine
Filed Feb 20, 2012

A COUPLE MONTHS AGO IT STALLED, WHILE MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT. THERE WERE NO ENGINE LIGHTS ON. THIS HAPPENED TO ME A COUPLE TIMES AND TO MY HUSBAND. IT TAKES ABOUT 2-3 MINUTES BEFORE YOU CAN START IT. THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN IT STALLS, BUT GOES OFF WHEN STARTED. WITHOUT THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, THERE IS NO THE CODE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. ONE TIME IT STALLED AND WHEN STARTED, THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON.. MY HUSBAND TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY. WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW BATTERY AND INSTALLED IT. SAME DAY THE CAR WOULD STALL. I HAVE READ MANY STORIES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS IT COULD BE, BUT WHEN REPLACING PARTS DOESN'T FIX THE STALLING PROBLEM. I CALLED GM AND GOT A CASE NUMBER. WE ARE TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING IT UNTIL THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON SO WE CAN GET A DIAGNOSIS. WHEN THE CAR STALLS AT 20 MPH OR 55 MPH, YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. GM WON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL THERE IS A DIAGNOSIS. I ASKED GM IF I COULD GET A LOANER CAR UNTIL MY CAR IS FIXED AND THEY JUST SAY THE WARRANTY IS OVER, OR IT IS A SEVEN YEAR OLD CAR, AND OF COURSE WON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL IT ISDIAGNOSED.?? IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I DON'T DARE TO DRIVE IT. MY HUSBAND IS THE ONLY ONE WHO DRIVES IT. WE HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH IS GAS HOG THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE. I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR. I ALSO CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP BUYING PARTS THAT DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM.MY CAR IS PAID OFF. I AM DISABLED AND CAN'T WORK. JUST WAITING NOW FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS. MY CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE AND IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR THAT IS REGISTERED AND INSURED AND GM WILL NOT HELP ME. I THINK IT IS DANGEROUS TO TELL US TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL A ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. ANY RESOLUTIONS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10448559
Incident
Dec 15, 2011
Mileage
33,600 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Mar 10, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND SPORADICALLY WOULD FAIL TO START. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DEFROSTER WOULD TAKE AN ABNORMALLY LONG TIME TO DEFROST THE WINDOW AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD INDEPENDENTLY TURN OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10389707
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
42,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 29, 2010

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 57 DURING DAYTIME HOURS. WHILE CRUISING AT 73 MILES PER HOUR IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND LOST ALL POWER. I COASTED TO A STOP OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK, SO I CONTINUED ON. A LITTLE LATER IT SPUTTERED AGAIN AND STARTED LOSING POWER. THE POWER CAME BACK BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CALLED ON STAR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM AND THAT IF THE CAR WOULD RUN TO CONTINUE THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS WHEN I GOT HOME. I TOOK THE CAR WORDEN-MARTEN SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIRS ON MARCH 23RD. TO REPAIR THE CAR THEY: 1.REPLACED CAT CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSOR 125CGMPP- $750.47 A SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 57 DURING DAYTIME HOURS. I WAS PASSING A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER WITH THREE CARS FOLLOWING ME WHILE CRUISING AT 73 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND LOST ALL POWER PUTTING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE COASTED DOWN TO ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR BEFORE IT KICKED BACK IN. I IN THE MEAN TIME HAD DROPPED BACK BEHIND THE SEMI WITH THE THREE CARS BEHIND ME AND WHEN I COULD I PULLED BACK INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND MY WIFE. I CALLED ON STAR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK. I TOOK THE CAR WORDEN-MARTEN SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIRS AGAIN ON APRIL 19TH TO REPAIR THE CAR THEY: 1.REPLACED MASS -AIR FLOW UNIT AND SENSOR $ 131.39 WHO KNOWS IF IT IS FIXED RIGHT THIS TIME? THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN FOR THE CAR TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10328071
Incident
Mar 21, 2010
Mileage
86,355 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED SINCE THE VALVE INTAKE WAS BLOCKED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE ON THE VEHICLE COULD BE RUINED IF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. ACCORDING TO THE CONTACT, THE DEXCOOL ANTI-FREEZE THAT WAS USED WILL CAUSE THE OIL VALVES TO DETERIORATE AND RUIN THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37063. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38000.

NHTSA ID
10315077
Incident
Feb 14, 2010
Mileage
37,062 mi
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE WHICH WAS PURCHASED ON 10-14-2006. THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER MADE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO THE HEADLIGHTS BY ADDING AN UNKNOWN SENSOR, HOWEVER A SHORT OCCURRED AND THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE HORN WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. ALL OF THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER HER EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN. TO DATE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE HEADLIGHTS TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID
10298261
Incident
Dec 10, 2006
Mileage
26,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEVEL ON HIS VEHICLE WAS STEADILY DECREASING EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO SERVICE COULD BE PERFORMED FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION FAILURE UNTIL THE VEHICLE CONSUMES MORE THAN ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 2,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,340 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF UPDATED 09/19/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10235450
Incident
May 27, 2008
Mileage
25,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Feb 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE SPEED WOULD INCREASE AFTER DRIVING 3-4 MILES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR HOURS, IT IDLED ROUGHLY AND THE "TRACTION CONTROL" AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,800. UPDATED 3/19/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 40MPH. THE DEALER PERFORMED BRAKE PEDAL RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 03/19/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10219063
Incident
Nov 25, 2006
Mileage
5,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 6, 2007

WHEN ACCELERATING , ENTERING A THRU WAY OR PASSING A CAR IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO STALL. WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO KICK IN, MY FOOT IS GOING DOWN ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR IS NOT RESPONDING AT ALL. ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES WHEN GOING UP RAMP TO THRU WAYS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10198685
Incident
Jul 30, 2007
Mileage
55 mi
Body & structureBrakesEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH TOWARD AN INTERSECTION ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. NO WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE ROTORS MUST BE MACHINED. AFTER A VISUAL INSPECTION THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE OF A DIFFERENT BRAND; THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THERE WAS NO CONCERN ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TIRE BRANDS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE LEAK WAS FROM THE OIL FILTER AND CORRECTED IT. AFTER A FEW MILES DRIVEN, THE VEHICLE PRESENTED PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE IT. ALSO, AN EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM WAS NOTICED WHICH WAS DETECTED DUE TO WIRING CORROSION LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED; THE DEALERSHIP CORRECTED THE DEFECT BUT AFTER FEW MILES, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO PROVIDED THE NHTSA PHONE NUMBER WHEN ASKED FOR A RESOLUTION.

NHTSA ID
10173379
Incident
Aug 16, 2006
Mileage
35,435 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .