Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Buick Lacrosse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and vibrate and the felt like that the front passenger's side tire was about to detach from the vehicle. The contact slowed down and drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the tie rod and wheel bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the repairs had not been performed by the first independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
In spite of multiple wheel alignments, where all of the wheels are in alignment with each other, this car still pulls sharply to the right. It is noted amongst internet discussion groups that General Motors/Buick has a common problem with a steering sensor/computer interface that causes this steering problem. I have contacted dealerships, along with Buick's California "response team" with no solution. Everybody I've spoken to so far appears to be clueless about this problem which I suspect is not a truthful response from them. The pulling has been going on for approximately 10 years, but my father (the original owner of this car) was already elderly at the time and had difficulty talking with people on the phone because of hearing loss. He let this fester. This is a serious issue because of the consistent pulling that could lead to lane drifting and cause an accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the headlights on the vehicle became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. 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 not aware of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 05/10/16 the consumer stated the power steering failed while driving 70 MPH on the freeway. The consumer was informed the mechanical coupling between the power steering pump and high pressure line had disintegrated. There was no flexible fitting utilizing a hose on the line. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. While driving at any speed. The air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. In addition, while driving at any speed and making a right or left turn, the steering wheel made a loud knocking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the power steering pump had a leak and was replaced. The failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09e005000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 06/14/16
Tl contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 5 MPH the steering intermediate shaft broke. He stated that he had no control of the vehicle. He engaged the brakes and crashed into a curb. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised him that the steering intermediate shaft and sir coil had broken on the vehicle. The dealer replaced the intermediate shaft, sir coil and realigned the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 40,500 and the current mileage was 41,314.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. While driving 10 MPH, the steering column locked and made an abnormal humming sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering reservoir was depleted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to lack of part availability the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Updated 06/02/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for brake pads replacement; the technician stated that the front sway bar, which connected both wheels of the steering, was cracked and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 129,000. Updated 05/25/18
The steering is tight, hard to turn the front wheels. It makes a whining & grinding noise when turning. It sounds like it's rubbing against something in the steering column. I've had it to 3 mech's, plus I called Buick. They all said they didn't know what the problem was. It seems this is a problem with many 2006 lacross' . This happens from 0 to 60 MPH
I have a 2006 Lacrosse with 28,000 miles - there was a recall for the ignition switch that was repaired a few months earlier; then there was a whining noise with the steering - had to have the steering gear replaced; at the same time, the module/coil went bad.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the power control function for the doors failed to work. The contact was not able to unlock the doors from the inside or the outside of the vehicle. The failure was progressing to the point that all four doors failed to open and the key fob was malfunctioning. In addition, the driver's side seat was not able to adjust and the steering wheel was making a loud clicking noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was not notified but was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V755000 (exterior lighting) and the dealer stated that the part needed was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was not available.
Steering complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Buick Lacrosse, 9% of the model year's 299 complaints. The component named most often is gear box › shaft sector (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Buick Lacrosse steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 Buick Lacrosse, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Buick Lacrosse steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.