NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Buick Lacrosse Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Buick Lacrosse has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 106 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buick dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Buick Lacrosse, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2009 Buick Lacrosse owner complaints

Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Buick Lacrosse, describing incidents dated February 1, 2009 to April 30, 2024.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 47 complaints
Electrical System 31 complaints
Air Bags 27 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 9 complaints
Engine 6 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints

Of the 106 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 106 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11593279 · Filed June 9, 2024
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…
ODI #11558096 · Filed December 2, 2023
My headlamps have been going out sporadically and until recently I was able to
ODI #11532167 · Filed July 13, 2023
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…

Read all 106 complaints

Owner-reported

2009 Buick Lacrosse mileage at failure

80 of the 106 complaints on file for the 2009 Buick Lacrosse give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Exterior Lighting	Median 55,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–85,000 miles	Based on 35 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Headlamps may Fail

NHTSA #15V519000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported August 14, 2015 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 429,170 vehicles

Repair completion: 51.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14291 · Owners notified May 17, 2016 · Vehicles built May 31, 2004 – January 27, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #14V355000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 3,141,731 vehicles

Repair completion: 67.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14299 · Owners notified September 23, 2014 · Vehicles built April 8, 2008 – January 27, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2009 Buick LaCrosse 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

2009 Buick LaCrosse 4-DR

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

106 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Buick Lacrosse.

Air Bags

ODI #11593279

Incident: April 30, 2024 · Filed: June 9, 2024

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!

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11558096

Incident: November 27, 2023 · Filed: December 2, 2023

My headlamps have been going out sporadically and until recently I was able to

Air Bags

ODI #11532167

Incident: July 13, 2023 · Filed: July 13, 2023

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.

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11499186

Incident: November 21, 2018 · Filed: December 28, 2022

Passenger airbag intermittently turns on and off when passenger is seated.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11258915

Incident: September 29, 2019 · Filed: September 30, 2019

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.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11194921

Incident: April 8, 2019 · Filed: April 9, 2019

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.

Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11161487

Incident: December 14, 2018 · Filed: December 14, 2018

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.

Electrical System; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes

ODI #11152270

Incident: April 1, 2016 · Filed: November 18, 2018

TAKATA RECALL.. ALL OF MY WARNING DASH LIGHTS ARE ON AT TIMES OR THE WHOLE DASH, RADIO AND EVERYTHING GO OUT THEN COMES BACK, THE IGNITION HAS BEEN PAUSING BEFORE IT TURNS OVER, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR RATTLES, ABS, T/C AND AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ALMOST ALWAYS ON.. I HAVE REPLACED 1000.00S OF DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING CHANGES. I HAVE REPLACED THE WHEEL HUBS, IGNITION MODULE, THE 700.00 PART FOR THE ECBM, NOTHING CHANGES, I BELIEVE ITS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN TO FIND. IT DOESNT MATTER IF THE CAR IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION OR WHERE I AM DRIVING. I NEED HELP WITH MY CAR, PLEASE. I DONT HAVE PICTURES , CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11071765

Incident: January 25, 2018 · Filed: February 8, 2018

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11010813

Incident: June 10, 2013 · Filed: July 26, 2017

ABOU 50,XXX MILES THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASH BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. IT WOULD OCCUR ONCE A MONTH OR SO. THE DEALER WANTED $1200 TO REPLACE THE AB CONTROL MODULE. FOR THE NEXT 46,XXX MILES IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON CONTINUALLY, MEANING THE AIRBAGS ARE INOPERATIVE. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME!

Other Buick Lacrosse model years

Check your 2009 Buick Lacrosse VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buick Lacrosse at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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