2009 Buick Lucerne Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed in rainy weather, the windshield wipers became inoperable, causing the driver's visibility to be significantly reduced and severely rendering the safe operation of the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.

NHTSA ID

11730411

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

Mileage

147,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to safely drive onto the shoulder, and the tow truck was contacted. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel relay had failed. The contact was informed that the relay had failed due to the location under the driver’s side rear seat, and while touching the motor terminal. The contact stated that there was a TSB associated with the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11729732

Incident

Dec 10, 2025

Mileage

70,000 mi

Woke up to my passenger seat burnt up, liquid oozing out the burnt up seat and wires and metal sticking out. Looks like the fire started under the seat.

NHTSA ID

11721148

Incident

Feb 28, 2026

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspection he became aware that one of the relays from the electric fuel pump under the rear passenger’s seat needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the fuel pump relay prong base had melted due to overheating. In addition, the contact stated that the fuse was a 10.01 AMP instead of a 5 AMP which could have caused the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred 2 days later. The manufacturer was made not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ID

11623101

Incident

Oct 30, 2024

Mileage

66,000 mi

The car died suddenly and would not start, with no warnings or codes. Towed it to a Midas repair shop and it was diagnosed as a corroded Low Profile Fuel Pump relay. This was replaced, and the car ran fine for 3 days before going dead in the middle of driving and left me stranded in an intersection. Had to get it towed back to Midas where it was more accurately diagnosed that the issue with the relay was being caused by a faulty Rear Electrical Center. Both of these parts have been recalled, and I have only owned this car for a little over a year. It has only around 40,000 miles on it. Despite this recall, upon taking the car to the local Buick dealership, they stated they could not cover the recall due to it being expired before I even owned the car. I do not understand how it is right or fair for this to have to be paid out of pocket, for $183.53 and $818.81 respectively, when it is not my fault, it is a faulty GM parts issue, and GM stated they will not stand behind their product and cover the recall despite the evident risk to my safety if I was to continue driving the car without repair. I understand it is expired, but I fail to see how this is ethical when the part is still faulty to the point of being dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11605954

Incident

Jul 26, 2024

Fuel Pump relay fuse is getting burnt up and not allowing car to start. This is a known problem and Nhtsa has already made a recall but mine isn’t recalled. You would think since mine is a 2008-2011 Buick Lucerne it would be able to get fixed. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11567044

Incident

Dec 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The fuel module was replaced by the contact but the failure reoccurred. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 41,000.

NHTSA ID

11534910

Incident

Jul 20, 2023

Mileage

41,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle sputtered and failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who recommended that the fuel pump relay be replaced. The mechanic became aware that the fuse was melted. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11532285

Incident

Jun 26, 2023

Mileage

140,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the fuel pump relay overheated and burned the fuse box. The accelerator pedal and steering wheel became inoperable. The contact was able to control the vehicle and park the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact replaced the relay, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact called the local dealer and was advised to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11510367

Incident

Mar 4, 2023

Mileage

170,000 mi

The fuse box or fuse holder under the back seat had the fuel pump relay fail due to pressure on the fuse box lid from the seat above it. This is a known issue by Buick as they keep the fuse box in stock (for about $300) I have owned two similar Lucernes with this issue. The fuel pump relay caused enough heat to melt into the fuse box, causing a disconnection. This caused the fuel pump to stop pumping, causing the car to stop running. The problem can be confirmed by calling any Buick dealer. I'm sure they have had several examples of this issue besides my pair. There are many examples mentioned on the internet, as well as videos as to how to fix it. There are no warning lamps prior to the failure. The engine dies and refuses to restart.

NHTSA ID

11507455

Incident

Feb 2, 2023

Fuel pump relay keeps burning out.

NHTSA ID

11502942

Incident

Oct 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while parked, the vehicle was not able to be started. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed a failure with the fuse box. Additionally, the fuel pump relay was melted. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11476076

Incident

Jul 26, 2022

Mileage

71,000 mi

Fuel pump relay under vehicles back seat fried out due to the back seat hitting the fuse box cover and grounding out the fuel pump relay. My child was in the back seat and said there was smoke coming from the back seat and the fuse box nearly caught on fire. After reading online I am appalled that this has not been recalled yet. There was 0 warning, no lights on dash, I did not file a police report or do anything with my insurance as there was no accident. Just a car bomb manufactured by GM

NHTSA ID

11448734

Incident

Jan 24, 2022

failed fuel pump relay and melted fuse block. Car would not start in garage. Knew this vehicle is known to have this issue and when investigating the failure to start the first thing I checked was the fuel pump relay and fuse block and sure enough that was the issue. Common issue that Buick never addressed adequately.

NHTSA ID

11442387

Incident

Oct 26, 2021

Vehicle was no start. Dealer found fuel pump relay bad on 10/05/201. Next time using vehicle same problem. On 10/20/2021 dealer service department diagnosed bad fuse box. The fuse box is located under the rear passenger seat. It was extremely hot and melting. Fortunately no fire, this time.

NHTSA ID

11439067

Incident

Oct 5, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that on multiple occasions the vehicle would not immediately start-up. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump relay was faulty and needed to be replaced. After replacing the fuel pump relay the failure was temporarily fixed before it recurring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11418865

Incident

May 1, 2021

Mileage

79,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THEY WOULD START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD START THEN SUDDENLY SHUT-OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY TOOK THE TO BE INSPECTED AND NOTICED THAT THE RELAY TO THE FUEL PUMP HAD OVERHEATED AND HAD STARTED TO MELT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RELAY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11396682

Incident

Feb 14, 2021

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED UPON EXITING A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, SHE INITIALLY SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE; SHE THEN SAW A FLAME IGNITE FROM THE BOTTOM REAR PASSENGER SEAT. SHE STATED THAT SHE WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS OR ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW; AFTER A SECOND ATTEMPT, SHE WAS ABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. A FELLOW MOTORIST SAW THE SITUATION AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE SCENE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT JUNK YARD. THE CONTACT CALLED PENSKE BUICK GMC(100 S MUSEUM RD, SHILLINGTON, PA 19607) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11360912

Incident

Sep 3, 2020

Mileage

88,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A BURNING PLASTIC TYPE ODOR AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR SEAT AREA. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY HAD BURNED AND WAS VERY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX WAS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT AND HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE FUEL PUMP RELAY CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11360280

Incident

Sep 18, 2020

Mileage

103,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AS A SMOKE ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WENT TO A LOCAL AUTO STORE. WHILE PARKED, HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, OPENING THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC BURNING ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE UNDERNEATH THE SEAT. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE REAR SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS EXTREMELY HOT TO TOUCH. UPON OPENING THE BOX SMOKE AND A BURNT FUSE RELAY WAS SEEN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE BURNT FUSE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE, WHERE IT WAS LATER TOWED FROM TO THE DEALER THOMAS CHEVROLET-BUICK INC. (2128 S BYRON BUTLER PKWY, PERRY, FL 32348) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO RECALL WERE UNDER THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL RELAY KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT CONTACT MENTIONED MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 15-NA051 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS, FUELS SYSTEM, GASOLINE) (NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10108617) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, A CASE WAS OPENED AND THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

NHTSA ID

11351529

Incident

Aug 3, 2020

Mileage

149,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND PARKED, IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EMPIRE CHEVROLET BUICK (1931 US-421, WILKESBORO, NC 28697, (336) 838-2191) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RELAY AND FUSE PANEL UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT HAD MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA ID

11271645

Incident

Oct 27, 2019

Mileage

64,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO STALL AND TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTHWEST HILLS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 2065 E MAIN ST, TORRINGTON, CT 06790, (860) 626-5296) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FUSE BLOCK AND THE RELAY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,818. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUSE BLOCK WAS MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *JS 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB *TR

NHTSA ID

11254465

Incident

Aug 17, 2019

Mileage

71,818 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AFTER A LONG DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUSE BOX HAD BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,406. *BF CONSUMER STATED FAILER TO START AFTER DRIVING 400 MILES.*JB

NHTSA ID

11245170

Incident

Aug 16, 2019

Mileage

80,406 mi

LEFT FRONT TIRE LOW AIR PRESSURE. WENT TO GET PROBLEM CORRECTED. REPAIR TECHNICIAN REPORTED THE AIR WAS LEAKING AROUND THE VALVE STEM. TECHNICIAN DISMOUNTED THE TIRE FROM THE RIM AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CHROME PLATING ON THE RIM WAS FLAKING OFF AND HAD A GAP BETWEEN THE RIM AND THE VALVE STEM ALLOWING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRE. OPTIONS WERE TO EITHER RE-CHROME THE RIM OR PURCHASE REPLACEMENT RIM. ALSO, TIRE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO BEING RUN UNDERINFLATED. RESULT: PURCHASED 4 NEW RIMS (NOT CHROME PLATED) AND A NEW TIRE. TOTAL COST $ 700+.

NHTSA ID

11244099

Incident

May 3, 2019

Mileage

95,789 mi

AFTER BEING DRIVEN NORMALLY ALL DAY, THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN WOULDN'T CRANK PROPERLY AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A FEW HOURS. THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO A CAR SHOP. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE BACK SEAT PRESSED ON THE WIRING THAT, IN TURN, BURNED UP THE ELECTRIC PANEL AND THE FUEL PUMP. DUE TO THIS, THE ELECTRIC PANEL AND THE FUEL PUMP NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11231424

Incident

Jul 10, 2019