2007 Buick Lacrosse Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about exterior lighting: low-beam headlamps that cut out without warning, sometimes repeatedly, and in some accounts with heat damage or melting in the underhood fuse box. Steering noise and play, plus an airbag warning light tied to the passenger-seat sensor, are the next most common themes. Many reports come in well past 50,000 miles, though several lighting reports appear in the 30,000 to 90,000 mile range.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Low-beam headlights cut out while driving

   • 122 complaints (49%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (91 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2026

   Owners describe low-beam headlamps going dark without warning, often at highway speed at night, and sometimes coming back on after the car is shut off and restarted or on the next drive. Several say the dealer replaced the headlamp module or relay and the failure returned, and some reports say the repair part was not available for an extended period. A number of complaints also mention that their vehicle was included in a lighting recall but the remedy could not be performed at the time. Reported from roughly 37,000 to 127,000 miles, frequently during night driving on the highway.

   Recall 15V5190001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 15V519000 (headlamp driver module) has been completed and whether the headlamp relay or module has already been replaced; drive the car at night with the low beams on and confirm they stay lit.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My exterior lights went out twice last night, while driving down the interstate (approximately 70 MPH). I was able to put my flashers on and get off each time. After about 5 minutes they would come back on. I am not sure what caused the issue, but it is very concerning. I did a google search and apparently this is a common problem with the Buick Lacrosse. But I can't seem to find any kind of recall addressing the issue...”

   NHTSA complaint #10809209, filed 2015-12, 113,000 miles

   “I was driving back from georgia at 4:30 am pitch dark and my headlamps cut off. I was next to a semi and almost crashed into him. I had to use my brights but could not figure out how to keep them on so I had to keep flashing them to see. Since then I've had to drive at night tonight on may 23, 2015 at 9 pm and my lights do not come on at all now. The only way to get home once again was to drive with my brights on. I had my brother test the lights and they come on and cut off randomly at will. This is not safe and they should be recalled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10721181, filed 2015-05, 79,856 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Melting or burnt fuse box, smoke from underhood

   • 28 complaints (11%)
   • median 86,511 mi at 8.0 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe smoke, a burning smell, or a no-start condition traced to the underhood fuse box, with relays or wiring found melted or charred. In several accounts the headlamps had gone out beforehand, and a few owners report a fire that they put out themselves. Some say the dealer replaced a module, the fuse block, or the wiring harness. Reported from about 16,000 to over 200,000 miles, without a clear pattern by age or use.

   Recall 15V519000

   What to check: Open the underhood fuse box and look for discolored or melted relays, sockets, or wiring, and ask whether the headlamp driver module repairs have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased a 2007 Buick Lacrosse less than 2 months ago. Within the first month the low beam head lights went out. Took back to the dealer and they replaced the head light module. No the low beams are not working again. Now the dealer is telling me I have a faulty fuse block under the hood.”

   NHTSA complaint #10822450, filed 2016-01, 88,888 miles

   “Was driving at night, vehicle lights went dim, then out completely. Pulled over to side of road. Smelled fire, opened hood, smoke coming from fuse block / box under hood. Looked at fuse block and several relays were melted and had melted a portion of fuse block. There are several other complaints like this posted online.”

   NHTSA complaint #10553056, filed 2013-11, 205,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling or intermittent no-start

   • 34 complaints (14%)
   • median 75,500 mi at 7.8 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2023

   Owners describe the engine quitting at stops or at speed, or failing to restart immediately, sometimes with the security or check engine light involved. Some say the ignition recall was performed and the stalling continued, and one account describes a damaged engine wire harness diagnosed by a dealer. Reported between roughly 21,000 and 130,000 miles, often in stop-and-go or idling situations.

   Recall 14V3550001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 14V355000 (ignition) was completed, and have a mechanic check for stored codes and any history of harness or ignition switch repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We were stopped at a red light and the car just died. We called aaa and before they got there the car started up again. Then we received a recall notice from GM (recall #14299). Since parts are not available according to the letter we removed everything from the keychain leaving only one single key as instructed. However, our car again died on august 21, 2014 but after a few minutes started up again. Today, august 31, 2014 our Buick died again in the left turn lane stopped at a red light. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10629702, filed 2014-08, 84,826 miles

   “The contact owns a 2007 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH the vehicle stalled. The contact was forced to drive onto the emergency lane and attempt to restart the vehicle. The vehicle would not restart immediately but it did restart after several attempts. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic to test which did not list any error codes regarding the vehicle stalling. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10412130, filed 2011-07, 82,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and passenger seat sensor

   • 14 complaints (6%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,250 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2018

   Owners report the airbag warning light coming on intermittently, sometimes while the car is moving or on an incline, and some say the passenger airbag indicator turns off with someone seated. Dealers reportedly cleared codes, replaced front sensors, or quoted a seat sensor replacement; one account mentions the body control module. Reported from very low mileage up to about 85,000 miles, with no strong seasonal pattern.

   Recall 14V355000

   What to check: Turn the key to run and confirm the airbag light goes out; sit in the passenger seat and watch whether the passenger airbag indicator stays on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The airbag warning light comes on while the car is traveling indicating the airbags are malfunctioning. It comes on and off intermittently. I brought in to the dealer and they cleared the malfunction code and it happened again. They want to change the sensor under the seat for $1250 since it is not covered by warranty. It seems to occur when the car is in motion going either up or down an incline.”

   NHTSA complaint #10920160, filed 2016-10, 48,000 miles

   “The seat belt light for the passenger seat come on intermittently with or without anybody sitting in the seat. When this happens when someone is sitting in the seat the air bag light switches from on to off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10762841, filed 2015-09, 50,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Steering noise, looseness, or power steering fluid loss

   • 21 complaints (8%)
   • median 69,750 mi at 5.5 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2020

   Complaints describe clunking or rubbing noises from the steering column or wheel when turning, a loose intermediate steering shaft, and in one case repeated failures of a power steering pressure fitting with fluid loss and loss of assist. Owners report parts replaced and the noise returning, and one says a dealer would not proceed without further diagnostic fees. Mostly between about 27,000 and 80,000 miles.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for clunks or rubbing, and check the power steering fluid level and look for leaks at the lines and fittings.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Noise like rubbing sound coming from steering column area. Steering gear was replaced once, probably two years ago and now making same sound as before. The tires have been replaced repeatedly on this vehicle and it still feels like it is hopping or walking instead of rolling. This occurs most prominently in the morning at startup and will continue up to 50 MPH and beyond. The mechanics will not recognize the problem and have not been able to get authorization from GM regional to do anything other than charge a fee for further diagnosis. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10458649, filed 2012-05, 79,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2007 Buick Lacrosse cxs. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was a roughness in the steering shaft. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the steering shaft was loose and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 27,367. Updated 6/4/12 the consumer stated the intermediate steering shaft was replaced on 03/2/12”

   NHTSA complaint #10456692, filed 2012-04, 27,367 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic inspect the headlamp circuit and underhood fuse box for heat damage, and confirm both the headlamp and ignition recalls have been completed on the specific car. Check the airbag light behavior and listen for steering noise on a test drive.

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.