2010 Buick Lucerne Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 Buick Lucerne most often report no-start and stalling problems linked to the fuel pump relay and the fuse box under the rear seat, sometimes with a burning smell or melted parts. Power steering and power brakes briefly losing assist, and unexpected acceleration or surging, are reported less often. Where mileage is given for the fuse box reports, most fall above 50,000 miles, and many describe the problem returning after repairs.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Fuel pump relay melts in rear fuse box (no-start, stall)

   • 25 complaints (46%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners describe the car cranking but not starting, or stalling while driving, sometimes after a burning smell. Many traced the problem to the fuel pump relay and the fuse box under the rear seat, where melted or scorched parts were found. Some owners link the heat to the rear seat, a seat latch or a seat bracket pressing on the fuse box. According to complaints, the dealer or a repair shop often replaced the fuel pump first and later the relay or fuse box, and some owners say the problem returned. Reported mileage ranges from about 48,000 to 158,000 miles, mostly above 50,000, and some owners describe the failure after the car had cooled down.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump relay and rear fuse box have been inspected or replaced, and check for melted plastic or a burnt smell under the rear seat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Fuse box problem with design. The seat latch design together shorts out the fuel pump relay. This gets hot, shorts out and damages the fuel pump and can cause possible fire. This is a costly deadly design flaw and should be recalled. Lucky we fixed it in time. I have babies that sit in my back seat and it's scary to think that it could catch on fire with them sitting there.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364296, filed 2020-10, 71,000 miles

   “Initial incident happened while driving on a street. Door locks power cycled lock/unlock and then the car would cut off. No warning, no time to move to out of traffic or turn on hazzard. I use this vehicle to commute to and from work/childcare etc. I also travel of the freeway alot. That was the previous incident. The most recent incident occurred when the car would not turn over and upon doing research we found that it may be related to. Relay issue due to the fuze box being underneath the rear seat. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11376438, filed 2020-11, 105,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering and power brakes briefly lose assist

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 56,576 mi at 6.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2023

   Owners describe power steering and power brake assist cutting out, in some cases only for a few seconds, with some reports during low-speed turns in rain or after driving through puddles. One owner describes a sudden failure while leaving a driveway, and another describes losing steering and braking after being struck from behind by another vehicle. In one complaint the dealer reportedly found a rotted power steering line and hose, and the owner says a similar problem has led to a recall. Reported mileage ranges from about 3,000 to 65,000 miles, and some reports mention rainy weather or puddles.

   Recall 10V553000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 10V553000 on the power steering return line has been completed, since it covers certain V8-equipped models. Look for fluid leaks or wet areas near the steering hoses and ask for records of any power steering or brake repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving east bound on interstate 20 approximately 7 miles west of sweetwater texas on july 11, 2014, when I was struck from behind by another vehicle (that left the scene.) the jarring caused me to lose power so I was unable to steer or to brake, which sent my car crashing into a guardrail; furthermore, the airbags did not deploy at all. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10615312, filed 2014-07, 58,000 miles

   “I have had about 3 incidences of power brake and power steering failure at low speeds (10 MPH or less) during rainy weather. When making a turn, either right or left, the power steering and power brakes fail. This does not occur at every turn attempt but does happen occasionally. It is quite disconcerting. I will not let my wife drive during wet weather and I am very cautious.”

   NHTSA complaint #10766450, filed 2015-09, 56,576 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration, surging or jerking

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 32,949 mi at 7.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe the vehicle speeding up on its own, including with cruise control engaged on a hill and when the brake pedal was pressed. Another owner describes the vehicle failing to accelerate, then the RPM rising suddenly and the car jerking. On repeat visits, the dealer sometimes reported that the vehicle was operating normally, and in one account the dealer suggested a floor mat trapped under the accelerator, which the owner disputed. The reports that list mileage give about 4,100 miles, and cruise control use is mentioned in some of them.

   What to check: Ask whether the floor mats are secured away from the pedals, and ask for any diagnostic notes on cruise control or throttle concerns. A test drive that includes cruise control use on a hill may help show how the vehicle responds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2010 Buick Lucerne. Consumer states problem with vehicle accelerating rapidly on its own. The consumer stated the sudden acceleration happened when the cruise control was on and off. The consumer stated the sudden acceleration has happened at least 15 times; once while pulling into his garage, several times on the interstate and several times in heavy city traffic. The dealer stated the floor mat became trapped under the accelerator. However, the consumer disagreed with that theory.”

   NHTSA complaint #10440792, filed 2011-12

   “The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. While driving approximately 65 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the contact began to drive uphill. While driving up the hill, the vehicle suddenly accelerated beyond the speed at which the cruise control was set. Upon reaching the top of the hill, the speed of the vehicle dropped back down to the intended speed. The failure occurred intermittently so the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on 3 occasions where the contact was informed the vehicle was operating as normal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10364188, filed 2010-11, 4,100 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to ask whether the rear fuse box and fuel pump relay have been inspected or replaced, since that is the most common theme in these complaints. It is also worth asking for records of power steering work and whether recall 10V553000 has been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 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.