Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Buick Lacrosse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Door locks somtimes would lock or unlock and other times not work at all. Made it a issue when parking or entering the car. I had to replace the lock mechanism in the doors. The car has 99135 miles on it but should not have a problem especally the back doors since they are not used very often.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering and brakes seized without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a concrete pole, gas meter, and tree; however, the engine continued to rev. The contact had to make several attempts to turn off the vehicle. The air bags deployed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The driver received facial and hand injuries and the passenger received stomach injuries. Medical attention was required for the passenger. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact's insurance company believed the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 90,696.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Buick Lacrosse. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle hesitated as if it were about to stall and the check engine light illuminated. The contact mentioned that smoke started to emit from the rear passenger seat where a child safety seat was installed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that there was an electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.
I turned the key in the ignition to start the car. Immediately, a very large roar ( like an airplane) occurred just as the engine started. I turned off the ignition fearful of damage to the engine, not knowing what might happen. It would not restart. It was towed to the dealership to have it repaired. The ignition coil had ruptured, ignition module was knocked out. The cost for repair: $800+. Two weeks later, the engine light lit up on the dash board display. I returned to the dealership for investigation. The second repair diagnosis repair required the replacement of the fuel pump, the oil pressure sender pump and the air injector pump ( no charge for this). Cost: $1004.81. When I tried to drive it home, the engine light lit up again so I returned to the dealership. This time there was a need to replace a emission valve.( no charge). Five days later, the engine light lit up again. …
On dec. 18th my wife and I were driving at night going to a christmas party when the low beam headlights went out without warning.I switched to the high beams as they were still functioning. We went the last mile to our destination on the high beams. I turned off the car to see if that would re;set the lights, it did not. We went to the party and came back to the car apx. 3 hours later. I started the car and the low beams came on..after about 1/2 mile they went out again..so I pulled over and shut off the car to see if they would come on upon re-start,they did not,so we continued on with high beams. After about 10 minutes the low beams came on for the rest of our trip home. …
First issue car will shut off driving down the freeway doing 60 70 miles an hour it will just shut off and I have to coast to the side and wait and wait till it starts again very dangerous. Next issue is the airbag light flashes on and off I'm assuming do I do to a pressure sensor in the passenger seat which I have a daughter that sits in the passenger seat and I don't know if the airbag is working or not. Next problem are the door locks they lock they don't lock the left rear does not work I have to manually pull it up and push it down if I want it locked the key fob warning is always on my dash saying key fob battery is low I replaced it I replace the key fob itself it just works when it wants to. …
The car's air bag light by the speedometer has been illuminating intermittently at various speeds whether there is a passenger in the passenger seat or not. The passenger seat air bag on/off light near glove compartment turns to off when the speedometer air bag light illuminates. In June, I took the car into an independent mechanic to get the problem fixed. Unfortunately, the computer doesn't store a code for this problem. The mechanic tried to improve the connection to the passenger seat and "relearned" the computer; however, the problem still occurs. Mechanic said it "might" be a $1,000 fix which involves part of the passenger seat cushion itself! It cost me $100 to find out this much and attempt a correction, but $1,000 is ridiculous; especially for a "maybe" fix. I see others are having this problem, too. I've already had the ignition switch key fix at the dealership. …
I had driven to the store, when I tried to exit the vehicle the driver's door wouldn't open from the inside or outside. The driver's door lock actuator failed in a way that prevented the door from opening. I tried using the inner and outer handles, I also tried using the door lock switch and the manual lock nob. I had to exit the vehicle by crawling over the center console to use the passenger side door. I was finally able to open the driver's door the next day by rapidly locking and unlocking the door using the manual lock nob a good 30 times. The car is a four door and none of the automatic locks work. The car also has 99500 miles. The fact that all four locks have failed is one thing, it's the fact that they can leave you unable to use your door in case of an accident that is the major safety hazard. Fixing just the driver's door is costing me $525.00 at a local Buick dealership. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the coil and mother board needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was repaired, but the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 11/09/15 the consumer stated at the time of the first coil replacement, he asked the dealer if it was a common problem and the dealer stated it was not. After the first incident in 2012, in which the coil and mother board were replaced, the exact failure occurred in 2015. The consumer was informed the coil and mother board need to be replaced at a cost of $700. …
I have more then one issue. First important issue. While driving down a state road with a peed limit of 50 at 50 MPH. My car lost power check engine light came on and the warning light says engine reduced power all acceleration was lost was able to drive at about 30 and was close to a repair shop so got ther they diagnosed a throttle seal. Fixed and repaired December 30, 2016. 6/14/2017 while driving at 35 MPH the same thing happened again. I have returned to the shop and discussed with GM service center they say no special notice about this issue but I see numerous complaints about the same issue in forums on line. Issue 2. The lights on the dash speed, warning info, radio light dim for no reason. Issue 3 door locks do not work from key fob or inside car have to work manually the passenger side air bag turns off even when some one in the seat. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014.
Electrical complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Buick Lacrosse, 34% of the model year's 250 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.