NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Buick Lucerne Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Buick Lucerne has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 330 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 2006 Buick Lucerne, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2006 Buick Lucerne owner complaints

Owners have filed 330 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Buick Lucerne, describing incidents dated December 21, 2005 to August 26, 2024.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 101 complaints
Structure 59 complaints
Steering 43 complaints
Air Bags 35 complaints
Engine 33 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages 24 complaints

Of the 330 complaints on file, 29 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 330 complaints, owners report 23 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11611202 · Filed August 27, 2024
The airbag lights on and there is an electrical issue also that causes the car to smoke and nearly catch fire, as soon as the battery is reconnected. Therefore rendering it non drivable. It's the same problems that are associated with the 2006 Lucern,s. When i look up the year make and model it says…
ODI #11508135 · Filed February 20, 2023
I have 2006 buick lucerne.i paid over 800 dollars get brakes fixed.now they saying messed up again power steering messed up.the front passenger side where tire hits bump makes nise like strut.power steering fluid leaking brake fliud leaking.air bags.
ODI #11503050 · Filed January 22, 2023
My power steering went out so my mechanic checked it out and said my pump went out so I bought a new power steering pump and pulley had it put on and that didn't fix the problem. The next day I went out of town to visit family and my car caught on fire due to the power steering fluid leaked all out…

Read all 330 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Buick Lucerne mileage at failure

262 of the 330 complaints on file for the 2006 Buick Lucerne 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
Electrical System	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 500–85,000 miles	Based on 65 complaints
Structure	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 6,000–95,000 miles	Based on 52 complaints
Steering	Median 50,000 miles	Middle half 13,000–80,000 miles	Based on 34 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

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Buick Lucerne in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA08-010: NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed September 8, 2008
- Recall 08V-441

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

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 August 20, 2005 – June 19, 2006 (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.

HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT

NHTSA #10V240000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported June 4, 2010 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,365,070 vehicles

Owners notified June 11, 2010

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Safety consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

HEATED WIPER WASHER SYSTEM

NHTSA #08V441000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported August 28, 2008 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 857,735 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 08048 · Owners notified September 12, 2008 · Vehicles built August 31, 2005 – June 30, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 08048. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

POWER STEERING HOSE

NHTSA #06V105000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Hose, Piping, and Connections · NHTSA notice

Reported April 5, 2006 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 12,862 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 06026 · Owners notified March 29, 2006 · Vehicles built December 1, 2005 – February 28, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 ENGINE,THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY CRIMPED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK.

Safety consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED AT LOW SPEEDS. ALSO, IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID WERE TO CONTACT HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR INLET HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 06026.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2006 Buick Lucerne 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: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

330 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Buick Lucerne.

Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11611202

Incident: August 26, 2024 · Filed: August 27, 2024

The airbag lights on and there is an electrical issue also that causes the car to smoke and nearly catch fire, as soon as the battery is reconnected. Therefore rendering it non drivable. It's the same problems that are associated with the 2006 Lucern,s. When i look up the year make and model it says there should be a recall but once you put in the vin it nothing comes up.The vehicle is readily available upon request but has not been inspected by anyone else.

Steering; Electrical System; Service Brakes

ODI #11508135

Incident: February 12, 2021 · Filed: February 20, 2023

I have 2006 buick lucerne.i paid over 800 dollars get brakes fixed.now they saying messed up again power steering messed up.the front passenger side where tire hits bump makes nise like strut.power steering fluid leaking brake fliud leaking.air bags.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11503050

Fire

Incident: September 13, 2022 · Filed: January 22, 2023

My power steering went out so my mechanic checked it out and said my pump went out so I bought a new power steering pump and pulley had it put on and that didn't fix the problem. The next day I went out of town to visit family and my car caught on fire due to the power steering fluid leaked all out on the motor and got hot enough to catch on fire. then my ignition stoped going all the way in park so I would have to disconect my battery cables so that it wouldn't run my battery down. The car wouldn't go all the way up in park making the ignition key wouldn't turn back far enough to shut my car off and lights

Air Bags

ODI #11482651

Incident: September 1, 2022 · Filed: September 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Air Bags

ODI #11473157

Incident: June 28, 2021 · Filed: July 9, 2022

passenger air bags are not working

Engine

ODI #11449038

Incident: January 24, 2022 · Filed: January 26, 2022

The car cuts off whwn you're driving it without warning. I have had the crankshaft position sensor replaced two times and it continues to fail. There are even reports in the internet that list this as a problem with this vehicle. I am afraid that someone will hit me from the rear and cause me injury or death. I am about to have this sensor replaced for a third time. It's absolutely ridiculous that I have to keep spending money out of my pocket for the same thing over and over again. This incident is a continual problem. It doesn't matter if you're stopped or driving it just happens out of the blue with no warning.

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11434995

Incident: September 29, 2021 · Filed: September 30, 2021

I have a 2006 buick lucerne that loses power randomly as I'm driving whether its pulling outbjnto traffic, which could cause injuries possibly even death, or maintain a certain speed for any amount of time , it just randomly loses power and wont go for however long until it starts to accelerate again . Also if I'm at a red light or stopped waiting to pull out somewhere , although I have my foot on the break, my car begins to accelerate and almost pulling me out into traffic. I have a service engine light and the code reads h02s heating control circuit sensor but I've yet to have it inspected because there isn't a recall for my car on that problem even though I've heard and read many complaints with the same or similar issues

Engine

ODI #11395452

Incident: February 1, 2016 · Filed: February 9, 2021

ALUMINUM V8 ENGINE LEAKING OIL PROFUSELY. NOW GETTING SMOKE AND ODOR WHILE DRIVING. MY CONCERN IS THAT OIL IS LEAKING ON TO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND COULD POSSIBLY IGNITE. I SUSPECT ENGINE BOLTS NEED TO BE RETORQUED WHICH WOULD NECESSITATE ENGINE REMOVAL TO ACCOMPLISH. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW WHICH NEEDS CORRECTING. LEAKS OCCUR DURING ALL PHASES OF OPERATION. THE LEAKS FIRST BECAME EVIDENT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND HAVE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED SINCE.

Structure

ODI #11388455

Incident: January 4, 2021 · Filed: January 16, 2021

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH HAS COME LOOSE MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. IT TEMPORARILY FIXES ITSELF, THEN RANDOMLY OCCURS AGAIN. DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A HAZARD IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST LUCERNE THAT I'VE DRIVEN WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S QUITE COMMON. THERE IS NO SAFETY LOCK ON THE DOOR FOR THIS TO KEEP HAPPENING.

Steering

ODI #11375425

Incident: November 1, 2019 · Filed: November 19, 2020

EVERY BUICK I HAVE EVERY HAD, HAD POWER STEERING ISSUES, INCLUDING MY NEWEST ONE. I JUST GOT A OIL CHANGE AND THEY TOPPED OFF EVERYTHING, YET MY POWER STEERING SOUNDS HORRIBLE WHEN TURNING.

Other Buick Lucerne model years

Check your 2006 Buick Lucerne VIN

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

Check a Buick VIN