2005 Buick Lacrosse Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Buick LaCrosse most often describe headlamps that shut off or flicker while driving at night, along with steering noises and stiffness that develop well before 100,000 miles. The sample is dominated by these two themes; complaints otherwise range across airbag warning lights, brake noise, and stalling or power loss, typically appearing between roughly 20,000 and 140,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Clunk or grind from steering column

   • 31 complaints (10%)
   • median 30,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2015

   Complaints describe a clunking, grinding or creaking sound when turning the wheel, often most noticeable at low speed, that returns after a while when the intermediate steering shaft is simply re-greased. Some owners say the dealer acknowledged the noise, relubricated or replaced column parts, and told them the noise would come back. Others describe the steering becoming hard to turn, with leaks traced to the rack and pinion or power steering hoses and fluid loss. Often starts between roughly 20,000 and 70,000 miles, with some owners reporting repeat visits within a few thousand miles of each repair.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and listen for clunks, creaks or whines, and check the power steering fluid level. Ask for service records showing whether the steering shaft has been lubricated or the rack replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2005 Buick Lacrosse cxl with only 20,000 miles on it. I've had to have the steering column relubricated twice in 2 yrs. It rattles, or starts to rattle after only 6,000 miles from the last service. This is obviously a factory defect, and I would like a permanent fix to this problem. No wonder honda outsells Buick in america. For shame!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10249099, filed 2008-11, 14,000 miles

   “My 2005 Lacrosse has 25000 miles and I am about to take it in for the third time for the steering column grinding problem. Gm better figure something out because fords are looking better than ever. All they seem to do is lube the steering column and expect you back later.”

   NHTSA complaint #10367945, filed 2010-11, 25,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Stalls or loses power while driving

   • 61 complaints (19%)
   • median 98,000 mi at 10.2 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2023

   Owners describe the engine cutting out or dropping to reduced power at speed, sometimes restarting after coasting to the shoulder and sometimes becoming a recurring fault. Several complaints were filed around the ignition switch recall, with owners reporting stalling before the repair, repeat stalling afterward, or long waits for recall parts. A few relate the symptom to throttle position sensor codes or to a fuse box and wiring that burned. Reported from roughly 60,000 to over 150,000 miles, at both highway and lower speeds.

   Recall 14V3550001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall work was completed and keep the key ring light. During a test drive, note any hesitation, warning lights or loss of power, and have stored codes read.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2005 Buick Lacrosse has had a problem with acceleration since I bought it used in 2006, if you step on the gas between 50 and 60mph the engine dies, no warning lights come on and you have to idle out of traffic until the system comes back on, I took it to Buick and they told me they couldn't find anything wrong, to this day you have to watch your speed when passing so that you do not lose power.”

   NHTSA complaint #10280897, filed 2009-08, 21,000 miles

   “I was driving on the highway going 50mph and the car stalled and went down to 20mph and it shut off. I was able to get it started again and was only able to go 20mph all the way home. My car insurance app has engine alerts and it stated it is the throttle/pedal position sensor/switch 'd'/'e' voltage correlation. The the alert stated it was urgent because it decreases the engine performance and the engine may enter limp home mode. I was very lucky no cars where behind me when this happened.”

   NHTSA complaint #11365531, filed 2020-10, 138,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights cut out or flicker while driving

   • 55 complaints (17%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2017

   Owners describe low-beam headlamps and daytime running lights going dark without warning at highway and city speeds, sometimes recovering on their own and sometimes staying out. Some report the radio, dash and climate displays dimming at the same time. Where a cause was found, technicians pointed to the headlamp driver module, a relay in the underhood fuse block, or the body control module; in some cases a replaced part did not stop the recurrence. One owner also described heat damage and a burning smell at the underhood fuse panel. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 140,000 miles, often while driving at night at highway speeds.

   Recall 15V5190004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Operate the headlamps at night and on a bumpy road, and ask whether the headlamp driver module or underhood fuse block has been replaced. Check that the vehicle's VIN is covered by the headlamp recall and whether the remedy was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving home from a meeting about 30 miles from home my headlights went out. I tried to switch to manual control of the headlights it didn't work. The only light that I could use my the temporary bright lights when there were no other cars were coming in the opposite direction. The following day I went to gusweiler GM center to find out what happened. They said it was the headlamp driver module relay. I had them make the repair at a cost of $160.29.”

   NHTSA complaint #10759571, filed 2015-08, 84,511 miles

   “This has happened numerous times. Our headlights will go out at night or anytime. We were almost in an accident on march 24,2012 with myself and my 2 children because of this there was oncoming traffic and I dimmed my light and then everything went black I couldn't see the road and the other car just missed from hitting my vehicle. Please help it is very scary. There has been a time that this happened and then for 3 days afterwards I still didn't have any lights dim or bright.”

   NHTSA complaint #10453000, filed 2012-03, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag light stays on or sensor misses occupant

   • 28 complaints (9%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 10.2 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2020

   Owners report the passenger airbag indicator staying lit or switching off with someone seated in the front passenger seat, and some say the dealer identified a fault in the seat sensing mechanism. Others describe the warning light coming on intermittently, which makes it hard to show the dealer. Complaints also mention that an aftermarket leather seat cover can upset the passenger sensing system. Reported from very low mileage up to about 140,000 miles, in everyday driving.

   Recall 06V417000

   What to check: With a passenger seated, confirm the passenger airbag indicator reads correctly and does not flicker. Ask whether the seat has aftermarket covers and whether the passenger sensing system has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Within the last few years I have noticed the airbag light has been coming on intermittently, every month or so for a few hours to a day. While at the dealer I was told to bring it back when the light is on. This happens when I start the car to make a trip to a store or other daily drives. The problem is getting to the dealer with it on.”

   NHTSA complaint #11331016, filed 2020-06, 90,000 miles

   “Dt: the consumer complained about a problem with the air bag on the passenger's side. The air bag sensor was deactivating when his wife was in the passenger's side seat. The passenger weighed 121 pounds. The air bag will stay on and activate when the owner was in the seat weighing about 50 pounds more than the passenger. The owner had the car taken to the dealership to be checked, and the dealership said it was the design of the vehicle, and it could be the magnetic field. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10129596, filed 2005-07, 40 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake noise and pedal feel

   • 21 complaints (7%)
   • median 22,723 mi at 2.7 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2005–2017

   Complaints describe grinding or groaning from the brakes that came back after cleaning or machining, and a spongy pedal feel with anti-lock function that owners felt engaged late. Several complaints were filed close to delivery or soon after, and one owner reported a brake pushrod clip recall where the dealer did not yet have parts. Mostly reported under about 30,000 miles, several within the first few thousand miles of ownership.

   Recall 05V156000

   What to check: Listen for grinding or groaning on a slow stop and feel for a firm, consistent pedal. Ask whether the brake pedal clip recall was completed and when the pads and rotors were last serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The traction control system lights come on during wet weather and or turning. The anti-locks brakes fail to work unless pressed completely down. No accidents have occured at this time, but a few close calls. The car is being returned to a GM dealer to inspect and report the problem. The brakes have always had a spongy feeling since date of purchase and since the brake recall was adjusted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10185510, filed 2007-03, 28,000 miles

   “Dt: the brakes on the 2005 Lacrosse were making erratic noises. The vehicle was repaired every week for last 30 days. The pads were cleaned. The rotors were thought to be bad. The consumer had the vehicle for 30 days as of 10-3-05 and no ABS lights came on. .”

   NHTSA complaint #10138399, filed 2005-10, 500 miles

Buying note. Check the headlamps and steering noise on a test drive, and confirm the ignition switch and headlamp recalls were completed for the specific VIN. Service records showing steering column or rack work help show how the car has been maintained.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.