Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2005 Buick Lacrosse
NHTSA data on file today
The 2005 Buick Lacrosse has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 315 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V519000 Headlamps may Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V355000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E005000 STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING/LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V417000 LEATHER SEAT COVERS/AIR BAG SENSING SYSTEM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V156000 BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Exterior Lighting 82 complaints
- Electrical System 80 complaints
- Steering 51 complaints
- Air Bags 34 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 21 complaints
- Power Train 19 complaints
Of the 315 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 315 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2005 Buick LaCrosse experiences frequent electrical and lighting issues, alongside a range of other concerns including steering and brake problems. These issues, along with a history of numerous recalls, contribute to higher-than-average maintenance costs, earning the vehicle a below-average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| headlights | 60,000–90,000 miles | $150–$300 | very common |
| ignition system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $200–$400 | common |
| steering knuckle | 80,000–110,000 miles | $250–$500 | occasional |
| brake pedal link | 50,000–80,000 miles | $100–$250 | occasional |
| airbag sensor | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Tire rotations every 10,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 4 years
- Transmission service at 60,000 miles
- Replace spark plugs at 100,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Headlights not working at night
- Difficulty turning ignition key
- Steering feels loose or unresponsive
- Brake pedal feels soft or unresponsive
- Airbag light remains on
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2005 Buick Lacrosse at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.