Most common 2009 Buick Lacrosse problems
Share of the 106 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Lacrosse complaints by model year
Best Lacrosse years: 2019, 2018, 2017. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008. Compare all years →
2009 Buick Lacrosse recalls (2)
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.
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.
What 2009 Buick Lacrosse owners say
Lights all 47 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:14V755000 (exterior lighting); however, the contact stated that the recall remedy was not effective. When the contact opened up the panel where the module was replaced, he discovered that the fuse panel was burning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000. Updated 04/13/15 updated 9/21/2017
Driving home at 11 pm in the dark and lost headlights completely first time in sept 2014 then again in October 2014 and most recently 3 times in May 2015 all 3 times I was driving 55 MPH in the dark and last one was in pouring rain.. Luckily there were street lights each time ..I pulled over quickly ,blindly as the dash lights went out, too, so I couldn't see where the 4 way flashers were to turn them on ..I got out and looked got back in shut car off started it back up and the headlights came back on ..the most recent time and the first time I had no high beams either ..literally no lights for 30 seconds to 3 minutes .. Had there been traffic I May have been in an accident or if not for streetlight in pouring rain I would have ended up in a ditch or worse .. …
Electrical system all 31 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:14V755000 (exterior lighting); however, the contact stated that the recall remedy was not effective. When the contact opened up the panel where the module was replaced, he discovered that the fuse panel was burning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuse panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000. Updated 04/13/15 updated 9/21/2017
Driving home at 11 pm in the dark and lost headlights completely first time in sept 2014 then again in October 2014 and most recently 3 times in May 2015 all 3 times I was driving 55 MPH in the dark and last one was in pouring rain.. Luckily there were street lights each time ..I pulled over quickly ,blindly as the dash lights went out, too, so I couldn't see where the 4 way flashers were to turn them on ..I got out and looked got back in shut car off started it back up and the headlights came back on ..the most recent time and the first time I had no high beams either ..literally no lights for 30 seconds to 3 minutes .. Had there been traffic I May have been in an accident or if not for streetlight in pouring rain I would have ended up in a ditch or worse .. …
Air bags all 27 →
The passenger airbag light started coming on and going off intermittently. After several weeks of this, it was on every time the car is driven. Testing by an ASE certified mechanic revealed that the permanent light results in no front seat airbags. The failed part is the seat presence sensor. The part is - and hasn't been for quite a while - manufactured by GM. Aftermarket parts are costly and the installation cost is in the hundreds of dollars. Research indicates that this is a well-known and long reported issue. Why not a recall years ago? Other than brakes and steering, could there be any more unsafe components than those affecting airbags? The only remedy other than continuously replacing the faulty part, is a bypass module. If it functions correctly, the airbag will deploy regardless of passenger weight. This puts any child or underweight rider in danger. …
The air bag light on the dashboard is on all the time.It is available for inspection at any time. I do not know if the bag will go off at any time or does it mean that it won't go off on impact. I am nervous about having someone for a passenger. I have informed the dealership of the problem and they did confirmed the problem, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or others. The light came on the day after I bought the car from the dealership and it has been on every cents.
2009 Buick Lacrosse engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 28 / 21 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Buick Lacrosse a good car?
Based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Lacrosse rates average: 25% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Lacrosse at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Buick Lacrosse?
The lights — 47 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the electrical system (31) and air bags (27).
How many recalls does the 2009 Buick Lacrosse have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2009 Buick Lacrosse, the most recent from August 14, 2015 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Lacrosse?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2018 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007 and 2008. See the full Buick Lacrosse years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Buick Lacrosse problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.