Buick · LaCrosse · 2009
2
Recalls
106
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Buick LaCrosse has 2 recalls and 106 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: exterior lighting (38 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
The passenger airbag light started coming on and going off intermittently. After several weeks of this, it was on every time the car is driven. Testing by an ASE certified mechanic revealed that the permanent light results in no front seat airbags. The failed part is the seat presence sensor. The part is - and hasn't been for quite a while - manufactured by GM. Aftermarket parts are costly and the installation cost is in the hundreds of dollars. Research indicates that this is a well-known and long reported issue. Why not a recall years ago? Other than brakes and steering, could there be any more unsafe components than those affecting airbags? The only remedy other than continuously replacing the faulty part, is a bypass module. If it functions correctly, the airbag will deploy regardless of passenger weight. This puts any child or underweight rider in danger. And, of course, considering the expense, many owners will do nothing with possibly grave consequences. I think you "dropped the ball" big time on this one!
My headlamps have been going out sporadically and until recently I was able to
The air bag light on the dashboard is on all the time.It is available for inspection at any time. I do not know if the bag will go off at any time or does it mean that it won't go off on impact. I am nervous about having someone for a passenger. I have informed the dealership of the problem and they did confirmed the problem, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or others. The light came on the day after I bought the car from the dealership and it has been on every cents.
REDUCED POWER/TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY AND REDUCED CAR POWER IMMEDIATELY. THIS MADE FOR A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE PASSING A TRUCK AND ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR DROPPED SPEED VERY QUICKLY MAKING FOR A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM COMES AND GOES WITH NO WARNING UNTIL IT HAPPENS. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR GM VEHICLES ESPECIALLY THE 2009 BUICK LACROSS MODELS. IT'S A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE AND SERVICE TRAC SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 15 TO 20 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STARTED AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD GOT TO MY DESTINATION PARKED IT AND WHEN I CAME OUT IT WOULD NOT START FOUND A BURNT FUEL PUMP RELAY CHANGED IT AND DROVE IT HOME. 20 MIN LATER I DROVE IT AGAIN AND MADE IT 2 MILES SAME THING HAPPENED TO RELAY ONLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT.
Passenger airbag intermittently turns on and off when passenger is seated.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE THROTTLE BEGAN TO FAIL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,648.
AT 80XXX MILES THE DRIVERS FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR BECAME INOPERATIVE. AT 90XXX MILES THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR BECAME INOPERATIVE. AT 96XXX MILES THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR BECAME INOPERATIVE. EACH RUNS $250-300 TO REPAIR. NOT REPAIRING LEAVES THE DOOR UNLOCKED (WHILE DRIVING) OR UNLOCKED (WHILE PARKED AND VEHICLE BECOMES ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE) OR THE DOOR REMAINS LOCKED WHEN TRYING TO EXIT OR ENTER. IN AN EMERGENCY, THIS MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE LACROSSE.
THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT BLINKS AND THEN REMAINS ON WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON AND WHEN DRIVING REGARDLESS OF SPEED. THIS CONDITION HAS RESULTED IN THE REPLACING OF THE RELEVANT PART TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2009 ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS RECURRING PROBLEM COMPROMISES THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAGS IN THIS VEHICLE HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED SINCE IT HAS BEEN ACCIDENT FREE SINCE PURCHASED NEW.
ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF VEHICLE WITH UNDER 120,000 MILES AND HAVE A "REDUCED POWER / ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR" PROBLEM AS RECALLED BY GM FOR SOME MAKE AND MODELS AS SAME, BUT NOT MINE AS IT DID NOT MANUFACTURED AT SAME PLANT AS OTHERS (AS I WAS TOLD)? I'M FINDING IT COINCIDENTAL THAT I WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM?
WHILE ENTERING A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT VERY HIGH RPMS AND JUMPED THE CURB HITTING A TREE, EXTREME PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE.. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN 2 DAYS THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED..
WHILE ENTERING INTERSTATE OFF RAMP I STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH SPEED. WITH EXTREME BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAS NOT ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS. I HAD TO CHANGE 3 LANES TO AVOID COLLIONS WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 09/28/16*LJ UPDATED 03/14/17*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 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. UPDATED 08/16/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 08/17/16.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED OFF EVEN WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 11/21/16 *BF *TR
MY 2009 LACROSSE WILL INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAY THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. I NOTICED THIS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AROUND TOWN AND THERE IS NO PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. IT WILL EITHER STAY ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN DISAPPEAR OR WILL JUST BE ON FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY STATED IT WAS A SENSOR MODULE AND WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1300 TO REPLACE. AS OF THIS DATE, I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000 MILES. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE MIGHT BE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE AND THERE WERE NONE. BUT IN CHECKING ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH MANY BUICKS ESPECIALLY THE 2008. TO ME THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LETTERING/DECALS HAD WORN OFF THE CONTROL PANEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL HEAD. THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS SINCE HAPPENED AGAIN. UPDATED 09/22/16. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL DISPLAY AN OFF INDICATION MANY TIMES WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. I WOULD GUESS ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF THE TIME. THIS CONDITION HAPPENS OFF AND ON, DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS MOVING OR STOPPED OR TYPE OF ROAD. BELOW ASK WHEN THIS CONDITION HAPPENED. IT HAPPENS ANYTIME WE DRIVE THE CAR, NOT A SPECIFIC DATE.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2009 Buick LaCrosse has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 106 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Buick LaCrosse.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Buick LaCrosse.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Buick LaCrosse are exterior lighting (38 reports), air bags (18 reports), electrical system (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2009 Buick LaCrosse. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.