Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Buick Lacrosse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the air bag warning sensor illuminated intermittently. The contact informed the local dealer (new meadow motors located at 390 state rd, west bath, me) and was referred to a contractor for diagnostic testing. The mechanic diagnosed that it was just a sensor, which did not need to be replaced. The contact was advised not to place her purse on the passenger seat. In addition, the contact located NHTSA campaign number: 06V417000 (air bags), but was unable to verify if the vehicle was included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. On August 24, 2014, while driving approximately 65 MPH, the power steering and brakes failed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a concrete divider. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered back, knee, and neck pain that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a wreckage yard by a private tow company. The contact received a recall notification after the crash occurred for NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while going through an intersection, another vehicle crashed into the rear passenger's side of her vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a neck injury and was knocked unconscious, which required medical attention. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. While driving 45 MPH over a bump in the road, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to conklin fangman Buick GMC (located at 3200 main st, kansas city, mo 64111, [phone]), where it was diagnosed that the front passenger air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 110,421.
My vehicle started flashing, chiming, giving service ABS, service tc, service brakes messages, air bag indicator lit up,and turn signals started having longer and longer pauses between clicks at random times during a two week period. I took the vehicle for a computer diagnostic. I was notified everything indicated the instrument panel is the problem: the computer is not connecting to the various parts of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. While making a left turn at an unknown speed, the vehicle lost power and the brakes failed. The contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated dealer diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced; however, the contact was unsure of the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,600. Updated 03/16/17
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.
I was crossing hwy 90 in lake city, fl. I checked both ways and no traffic was coming. As I was going into the mall a car came out of no where and hit me on the passenger side I did not see her hit me. It totaled my car and they blamed me for the accident. The air bag did not deploy...updated 08-26-14 updated 8/29/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but a fault code could not be retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Remedy: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (GM) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in GM's letter to…
Airbag complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Buick Lacrosse, 11% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › sensor/control module (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Buick Lacrosse airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-417 (frontal, Oct 31, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Lacrosse airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.