Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Tla* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. While driving at various speeds, the low beam headlamps failed and the high beam headlamps were engaged in order to view the road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the headlamp driver module was melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in the NHTSA campaign number: 14V755000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 290,000. Updated 11/04/15 consumer replaced hdm twice, failed again after receiving recall. Sold car updated 05/15/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal burning odor emitting from the vents. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a wire was burning and was related to NHTSA campaign number: 14V755000 (exterior lighting). The remedy was unavailable to perform the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. VIN tool confirmed parts not available.
Driving down the road lost low beam headlights as well as day time lights , smelled small burning odor and discovered the headlight control in the fuse panel to be over heating and beginning to burn a hole in the fuse panel under the hood. Have read of this happening to several of these cars with the fuse panel being the direct source due to wires shorting out internally, why is this car not included in the recent recall?
There are no incidents at this time of for this complaint, general motors should also be held financially responsible for the replacement of high-beam bulbs as they will burn out as a result to not having a remedy as of yet to repair/replace the hdm for my vehicle as well as the other GM owners. I work at night and need my headlights to be in proper operating order. Please make GM also responsible for the replacement of the high-beam bulbs on all the vehicles that pertain to this "recall status: recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available" an is unacceptable to the consumer of the affected 2005 ' 2009 model year Buick Lacrosse vehicles; certain 2006 ' 2008 Saab 9-7x and Isuzu ascender vehicles; certain 2006 ' 2007 Buick rainier, Chevrolet trailblazer and GMC envoy vehicles; certain 2007 Pontiac grand prix vehicles; and certain 2006 Chevrolet trailblazer ext and GMC envoy xl vehicle …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at a low speeds during night; the headlights became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was diagnosed that the hdm and the headlights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V519000 (exterior lighting). However, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/31/2016
The 2005 Buick Lacrosse exhibits exactly the same hdm relay failure as described in NHTSA campaign number: 14V755000. The hdm module can overheat and fail which causes the headlights or daytime running lights to fail to light. In the overheating situation the hdm relay seems to shunt the battery current which causes enough heat to melt the fuse panel, and killing the battery. I have replaced the fuse panel, and relay and with new equipment and the lights worked again. The hdm module has since failed again at 69000 miles, although I caught it before the fuse panel was melted. Expand NHTSA campaign number: 14V755000 to include 2005 Buick Lacrosse vehicles as well.
For months prior at night my low beams would dim and get brighter periodically. Then as I was driving one morning I began to smell an electrical burning smell. Luckily I was on my way home which was less than a half mile away. When I got home I opened the hood and saw smoke coming from the fuse box. I immediately disconnected the negative battery cable and proceeded to investigate what happened. Upon further investigation the hdm module had failed and was melted right into the fuse block. If I had driven any longer than I did I feel like my car would have certainly caught fire. Luckily I got home safe and prevented any further damage from my car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. While driving 40 MPH, the low beam head lamps failed to illuminate. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V755000 (exterior lighting); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 11/19/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V755000 (exterior lighting); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the low beam headlights were activated while driving various speeds and unexpectedly failed to illuminate. The high beams were activated in order to continue driving. The VIN was included in a recall for the exterior lighting; however, a temporary remedy was performed. The failure recurred three days after the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737.
Headlight complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2005 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 86 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Buick Lacrosse, 27% of the model year's 315 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Buick Lacrosse headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-519 (headlights, Aug 14, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Buick Lacrosse headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.