RoadVitals

2008 Buick Lacrosse Brakes Problems

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

Data refreshed

Brakes 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 Sep 5, 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.
5%
of 250 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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 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 brake

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

Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2019
Crash reported

SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE CAR DOES NOT COME TO A SMOOTH STOP, BUT RATHER JERKS AHEAD AND TAKES A VERY LONG DISTANCE TO STOP. THIS OCCURS OFTEN ON SNOW COVERED ROADS BUT ALSO OCCURS ON DRY ROADS. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A SMALL ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT STOP IN TIME. THE MESSAGE TO CHECK THE ABS OFTEN SHOWS. I HAVE JUST HAD A NEW BRAKE JOB WITH NEW ROUTERS BUT STILL GET THE MESSAGE TO CHECK AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND IT SEEMS THAT NOTHING WILL FIX IT. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS A 2008, IT ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 80,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. (SINCE THE PROBLEM IS ON-GOING, SOME OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS DO NOT APPLY. HOWEVER SINCE THE FIELDS ARE REQUIRED, I WILL HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING DOWN.)

NHTSA ID
11253489
Incident
Dec 31, 2015
Mileage
40,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 25, 2017

2008 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, INCOMPLETE IGNITION MODULE RECALL REPAIRS. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10947191
Incident
Jan 2, 2017
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2017
Crash reported

THE BRAKES LOCKED UP IN TWO DIFFERENT SITUATIONS WHERE I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. I HAD THE CAR'S BRAKING SYSTEM CHECKED AFTER THE FIRST TIME. I WAS TOLD THE BRAKING SYSTEM LOOKED FINE. THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ON A BRIDGE OVER A HIGHWAY MAKING A LEFT TURN AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH. BOTH TIMES TRAFFIC STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND I SLID INTO THE CARS IN FRONT OF MINE. I HAD NO ABS LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD AND NO INDICATION MY BRAKES WERE IN DISTRESS.

NHTSA ID
10939830
Incident
Jan 4, 2017
Mileage
177,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 29, 2016
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POLE, GAS METER, AND TREE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED FACIAL AND HAND INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED STOMACH INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,696.

NHTSA ID
10881491
Incident
Jun 22, 2016
Mileage
90,696 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 2, 2014
Crash reported

THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY MORNING. THE BRAKE JAMMED WHEN I TRIED TO STOP AT THE RED LIGHT. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE SECOND TIME, IT WAS STILL JAMMED SO I CRASHED MY CAR TO THE CAR IN FRONT. LUCKILY, NOBODY WAS HURT. IT WAS RAINING BUT THE CAR WAS JUST SERVICED BY A BUICK DEALER LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO. THIS HAPPENED A YEAR AGO AND FORTUNATELY, THE CAR STOPPED JUST IN TIME THAT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651923
Incident
Nov 1, 2014
Mileage
30,660 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Oct 6, 2014

I WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE NEITHER THE BRAKES OR POWER STEERING WOULD WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10641598
Incident
Sep 5, 2012
Mileage
93,677 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG, ABS, AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN ON UNLESS THE KEYS WERE JIGGLE IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ID
10616873
Incident
Jan 13, 2014
Mileage
43,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed May 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE DRIVER ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL EMITTED A LOUD METAL NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE PADS, BRAKE DRUMS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ID
10594170
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 24, 2014

THIS CAR IS A LACROSSE SUPER WITH A 5.3 LITER SUPER CHARGED ENGINE. IN THE PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL PRODUCED FOR THE CAR IT INDICATES THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH LARGER BRAKES BECAUSE OF THE POWER OF THE CAR. IN 2013 I WENT TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES ON THE CAR AND PURCHASED THE PADS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL EQUIPPED WITH THE 5.3 SUPER CHARGED ENGINE. WHEN I WENT TO INSTALL THEM THEY WERE TO LARGE FOR THE CALIPERS AND NOTICEABLY LARGER THAN THE ONES ON THE CAR. UPON RETURNING THE PARTS STORE AND LENGTHY SEARCHING IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE CAR IS THAT OF THE 2008 LUCERNE WITH 275-HP 4.6-LITER V-8. THE LACROSSE WITH A 5.3-LITER, 300-HP SUPER CHARGED V8. GM TO DATE HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WHICH UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD BE A DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10584740
Incident
May 14, 2008
Mileage
12 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Sep 5, 2013

I TURNED RIGHT ONTO A VERY STEEPLY GRADED RURAL ROAD. THE ROAD HAS 3 SERVICE RAMPS TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY, RT 28N. IT ALSO HAS 1 ROAD THAT ALLOWS A R/L ACCESS TO BURTON AND A CROSS TRAFFIC ACCESS TO 28N. I HAD JUST STARTED THE DESCENT DOWN BURTON WHEN I NOTICED THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I APPLIED THE BRAKE TWICE TO REDUCE SPEED; IT WAS NON-RESPONSIVE. THE CAR CONTINUE TO SPEED DOWN THE HILL FOR APPROXIMATELY 3/4 MILE. THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN ABOUT 1/2 MILE BEYOND THE ACCESS ROAD TO 28 N. WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO A GRAVEL/WEED "SHOULDER" I FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS ALSO OUT. I COULD NOT PULL COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD, THUS CREATING A DANGER TO ANY CAR ON BURTON ROAD. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS TOTALLY INOPERABLE. IT HAD TO BE TOWED 20 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP LATE AT NIGHT. THE CAR HAD JUST PASSED THE 50K MILE BUICK INSPECTION. ON THREE PRIOR OCCASIONS, THOUGH, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH A WINDOW MALFUNCTION, AND TWO DOORS LATCHES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE SERVICE REPORT STATES THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION COIL AND MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE IGNITION MODULE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SAME ASSEMBLY DESIGN WAS USED IN THE BUICK LESABRE, THE CHEVY IMPALA, AND ONE OTHER BUICK MODEL. BUICK APOLOGIZED FOR THE FAILURE OF THESE COMPONENTS AND FOR PUTTING ME AND MY PASSENGERS INTO WHAT WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF BAIERL CHEVROLET (A QUALITY DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE ORGANIZATION) THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER OWNERS, BUT NONE HAD BEEN IN THE SITUATION I WAS IN. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE I FOUND NO INDICATIONS ON THE BUICK WEBSITE THAT SUCH FAILURES WERE POSSIBLE. HAVING LOST TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN THE CAR AND ITS DESIGN, THAT I TRADED IT IN FOR ANOTHER CAR AND TOOK ON EXPENSES THAT I HAD NOT BUDGETED FOR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10542083
Incident
May 26, 2013
Mileage
53,718 mi
AirbagsBrakesVisibility
Filed Sep 26, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD FRICTION SOUND AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE FRONT BRAKE HUB SPEED SENSOR, THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTOR TERMINAL WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED A BLINDING SPOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,500. UPDATED 11/9/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID
10477143
Incident
May 1, 2012
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 8, 2008

ON 3 OCCASIONS WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD HERE IN SACRAMENTO CA , EARLY MORNING HOURS , I DEPRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP JUST KEPT GOING , IT HAS DONE THIS 3 TIMES WHILE THE WEATHER WAS REALLY DAMP AND COLD , I TOOK IT TO A DEALER HERE IN SACRAMENTO AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO DUPLICATE , BUT THEY ARE WRONG , THEY TESTED THE CAR AT MID AFTERNOON WHEN IS WAS WARM OUTSIDE , LIKE I SAID IT ONLY DOES IT WHEN ITS REALLY COLD I HAVE 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES AND IT'S LIKE THE BRAKES GRAB BUT DON'T STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10248037
Incident
Oct 20, 2008
Mileage
3,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 15, 2008
Crash reported3 injuries reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 10 MPH TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT DID NOT RESPOND AND DRIFTED INTO AN INTERSECTION, CAUSING A SEVERE CRASH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT, WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,700. UPDATED 03-11-08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10218147
Incident
Feb 1, 2008
Mileage
2,700 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 .