RoadVitals

2005 Buick Lacrosse Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
82
Latest May 6, 2026
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.
26%
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.
3
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 headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 82 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 exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 82, in the owner's own words

ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed May 6, 2026

Gas. Leaking car smoking and cutting off

NHTSA ID
11736191
Incident
Apr 16, 2026
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 1, 2018

MY HEAD LIGHTS WON'T COME ON AND MY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ALL DAY LONG WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11132820
Incident
Feb 24, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2017

HAD MY DAUGHTER'S 2005 BUICK LACROSSE HDM REPLACED FOR THE RECALL AND 3 MONTHS LATER THE LOW-BEAMS WENT OUT AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS DONE AND NOW I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THE HDM FAILED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11015804
Incident
Aug 14, 2017
Mileage
110,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 14, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL IN OCTOBER OF 2016. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALL RELATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

NHTSA ID
11015085
Incident
Dec 20, 2016
Mileage
135,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 27, 2016

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE OUT, ALSO NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THEY GO OUT AT RANDOM, WITHOUT WARNING. REPLACED HDM MODULE, DID NO HELP.

NHTSA ID
10937729
Incident
Dec 27, 2016
Mileage
64,022 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONNECTOR FAILED TWICE AFTER HAVING THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

NHTSA ID
10910273
Incident
Sep 21, 2016
Mileage
137,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10895299
Incident
Mar 15, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10884608
Incident
May 2, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 5, 2016

2005 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS STILL ON BACK ORDER TO REPAIR HEAD LAMP DRIVER MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD LAMP WAS FINALLY REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 09/22/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10882219
Incident
May 2, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE NOTIFICATION INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10877138
Incident
May 16, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 15V319000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10875635
Incident
May 21, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10870862
Incident
Dec 8, 2014
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 7, 2016

HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT COMING ON, I HAVE TO PUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON WHEN I DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
10853949
Incident
Apr 3, 2016
Mileage
67,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/20/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10853586
Incident
Nov 3, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 31, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/31/2016*LJ UPDATED 06/09/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10852790
Incident
Sep 14, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 24, 2016

RE: NHTSA CAMPAIGN 15V519000 (GM SAFETY RECALL 14291). THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN FAILURE OF HEADLIGHTS. I RECEIVED LETTER FROM GM IN SEPTEMBER 2015. IT INDICATED THAT A PERMANENT SOLUTION WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. TODAY I CHECKED WITH GM AND THEY INDICATED THE PERMANENT SOLUTION IS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND FURTHERMORE THEY HAVE NO SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION. OBVIOUSLY, HEADLIGHT FAILURE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN (WHICH HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME). FOR GM NOT TO HAVE DEVELOPED A PERMANENT SOLUTION, OR APPARENTLY EVEN A SCHEDULE FOR DOING SO, IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING.

NHTSA ID
10851420
Incident
Mar 24, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10849588
Incident
Sep 7, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEEDS DURING NIGHT; THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HDM AND THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/31/2016*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10846459
Incident
Mar 21, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BADLY DAMAGED AND THERE WAS AN ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/02/16. *JB

NHTSA ID
10846387
Incident
Sep 15, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10837933
Incident
Sep 30, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000(EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY OR PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10837771
Incident
Sep 7, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. APPROXIMATELY 12 SECONDS LATER, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V75500 (VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED A TEMPORARY REMEDY BECAUSE THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10825874
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON THE HEADLAMPS, THEY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10825398
Incident
Mar 20, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 04/15/16*LJ UPDATED 04/28/16/ *JB

NHTSA ID
10822796
Incident
Sep 10, 2015
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V519000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ

NHTSA ID
10821526
Incident
Sep 18, 2015

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 .