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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Buick Lucerne Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
2%of 218 total for the year
Median mileage
89,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Buick Lucerne, 2% of the 218 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“As I began to enter a major highway my transmission failed, car would not drive forward. I almost was struck my an eighteen wheeler(tractor-trailer). The forward drive band completely broke in the transmission suddenly without warning.”

NHTSA complaint #10638961, filed 2014-09, 89,000 miles

“The transmission started not shifting as I was driving down the road and the relay fuse box caught on fire and I think it’s where the back seat lays on top of the fuse box which rubs the fuses. Which is dangerous bc it catches on fire and could blow the car up while driving”

NHTSA complaint #11553577, filed 2023-11

“This is a report of a design flaw that might result in a safety issue. I recently took delivery of a 2008 Buick Lucerne cxl. I purchased the optional six-passenger version which means that the gearshift lever is mounted on the steering column instead of on a floor console, like most other cars. When the gearshift lever is in the drive position, the view of the radio display is obscured, causing me to move my head to look around the gearshift lever to view the display. As a result, my attention to the road is much more distracted than if I had an unobstructed view of the radio display. …”

NHTSA complaint #10238469, filed 2008-08

“The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated, and the message Add Engine Oil was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred immediately. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the TCM had failed and needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11677193, filed 2025-07, 138,500 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not able to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the clutch fuse assembly, insulator harness and insulator coil needed to be replaced. The manufacturer had not been notified. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 9/29/14 updated 2/25/2015”

NHTSA complaint #10628433, filed 2014-08, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201136%
201024%
200922%
200852%
200764%
2006144%

Other parts of the 2008 Buick Lucerne

Electrical system
121 complaintsFuel system
62 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Buick Lucerne

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology