RoadVitals

2005 Buick Lacrosse Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
13
Latest May 10, 2019
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.
4%
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

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 13 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 powertrain

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

ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 10, 2019

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL "RANDOMLY" SHUT OFF. GIVING NO INDICATION OTHER THEN DIMMING LIGHTS. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR THE GARAGE I WENT TO CAN EXPLAIN IT. THE POWER STEERING DOESNT WORK AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY AND TOWN ROADS.

NHTSA ID
11206927
Incident
May 6, 2019
Mileage
150,733 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHIFTED ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. UPDATED 11/20/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11129113
Incident
Apr 30, 2018
Mileage
118,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 26, 2017

I SMELL SOMETHING LIKE BURNING WIRES. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ON. AUTOMATIC SHIFTING JERKS. I AM AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE. I AM 70 YEARS OLD AND NEED MY CAR TO BE RELIABLE.

NHTSA ID
11048441
Incident
Nov 15, 2017
Mileage
83,371 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 22, 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" WE BOUGHT A USED 2005 BUICK LACROSSE FOR OUR SON IN APRIL 2016; AT FIRST IT RAN PERFECT AND THEN WE NOTICED A THUMP WHEN CHANGING GEARS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). TWO WEEKS AGO MY SON WAS GOING TO THE STORE AND "DRIVE" STOPPED WORKING. NOW IT IS SITTING IN THE YARD AND WILL ONLY GO INTO 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND REVERSE. IT WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
10875899
Incident
Jun 3, 2016
Mileage
143,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 7, 2016

WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT WOULD NOT MOVE ON GREEN, HAD CHECKED COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. THEN DURING MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY LOST ALL POWER, ALMOST GOT HIT. THEN STARTING SURGING. TO DEALER AGAIN, COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. KEPT ACTING UP, IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. THIS IS THE 2ND REBUILD ON THIS VERY MUCH USED TRANSMISSION MODEL IN GM VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
10818588
Incident
Jan 4, 2015
Mileage
98,000 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
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 22, 2013

THIS IS THE FIFTH (5TH) TIME THE RACK AND PINION HAS GONE OUT ON THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS - MAY 2013 THROUGH JULY 2013. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE - THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH "GENUINE GM PARTS" AND STILL CONTINUES TO GO OUT IN ABOUT A WEEK AFTER INSTALL. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? I SEND COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT TO YOU AND TO THE BUICK PEOPLE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO TO KEEP SENDING COMPLAINTS TO YOUR AGENCY? WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO TO SEND COMPLAINTS TO BUICK AND GENERAL MOTORS - NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN, NOTHING IS GOING TO BE FIXED. BAH!!!!!!! I WILL DEFINITELY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER AMERICAN VEHICLE AGAIN! NOTHING BUT THE RUNAROUND. IF MY NAME WAS SHAQUILLE O'NEAL THEY WOULD BE SENDING ME A BRAND NEW VEHICLE TO SHUT ME UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10526105
Incident
Jul 14, 2013
Mileage
72,500 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 1, 2013

CAR WAS REPAIRED THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013, PICKED UP ON THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013, RACK AND PINION WENT OUT FRIDAY NIGHT, JUNE 28, 2013 FOR THE FOURTH () TIME IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS DEFECT. THERE WAS NO WARNING, STEERING GOT TIGHT, PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE FLUID, WAS EMPTY, PUT SOME MORE IN AND IT POURED OUT THE BOTTOM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. JUST LIKE THE OTHER THREE TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522539
Incident
Jun 28, 2013
Mileage
72,500 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 24, 2013

MY SON WAS DRIVING AND THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN TWO MONTHS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS LIKE LOST OF LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521362
Incident
Jun 23, 2013
Mileage
69,500 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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 18, 2009

MY 2005 BUICK LACROSSE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2006, IF YOU STEP ON THE GAS BETWEEN 50 AND 60MPH THE ENGINE DIES, NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND YOU HAVE TO IDLE OUT OF TRAFFIC UNTIL THE SYSTEM COMES BACK ON, I TOOK IT TO BUICK AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, TO THIS DAY YOU HAVE TO WATCH YOUR SPEED WHEN PASSING SO THAT YOU DO NOT LOSE POWER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10280897
Incident
Aug 18, 2009
Mileage
21,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 13, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACES THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, HE HEARS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN GEAR. AFTER A WHILE, THE ENGINE WILL REV AND FINALLY SHIFT INTO THE PROPER GEAR. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 15 MPH, IT FEELS AS IF THE GEARS ARE CHANGING AND THE CLUNKING NOISE IS HEARD AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS WORKING PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID
10276515
Incident
Feb 9, 2009
Mileage
73,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 1, 2006

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING 2005 LACROSSE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10159466
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

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 .