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 2009 Buick Lacrosse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 .. …
I was driving on parkway in nassau county at 11:30 am on 7/2/15 on a sunny day and the windshield wipers started going up and down slowly, I had not put them on. While driving I tried to stop the wipers to no avail. The computer on dashboard stated 'open hood' but as I was driving the hood was definitely not open. I later realized the computer was saying... Open the hood. A few moments later I saw smoke coming out of the passenger side of the hood and the computer said something like 'system failure'. I immediately pulled over, turned off the car and took the keys. The windshield wipers were still moving even though the car was off and keys were out of the ignition. A volunteer firefighter from local area saw my car, pulled over, opened the hood and used an extinguisher on the fuse box which was smoking badly although we didn't see flames. …
We have experienced multiple electrical problems with our 2009 Buick Lacrosse. It first appeared as a bad battery which was replaced. Using the in-car digital readout, we began to see strange voltage readings in the car. The voltage would some times read as low as 12.6 volts and then would start a steady climb up to 14.4 volts. It might stay that way for hours or might slowly drop to the low level. At the low level, we have noticed that multiple items like the speed control and the air conditioning would not work until the voltage was at the high level. We have had an episode where the low beam would not operate until I switched the high beam on and them switched to low beam. We have received the recall noticed on that item. Other strange things are happening like the radio changing stations on its own. The passenger seat indicator reads false at times when traveling. …
The owner had been smelling a bad odor when she arrived at her destination in a mall parking lot. The odor did not fade when the vehicle engine was turned off and subsequently opened the hood. Black smoke was seen coming from the fuse block. Upon removing the cover to the fuse block, the owner observed a small fire which caused damage to the wiring harness. The vehicle was later examined by an independent engineering consultant who identified the origin of the fire. The origin was placed at the # 35 position in the fuse block which was occupied by the hdm module. It was later learned from the owner that an unexplained headlight outage had occurred sometime prior to the fire and that turning off the engine and restarting the vehicle caused the headlights to come on again. The event never occurred again. …
Dash lights fade in and out while driving. Nothing seems to cause it they just go out making it impossible to see the speed, read the OnStar directions or see the mileage. Sometimes mileage only will show, sometimes mileage only does not show. Biggest problem is that the speedometer does not show. This is an on going problem. It is not possible to safely drive this car at night. On occasion there are no display lights of any type showing in the car - the car is in total darkness inside. The problem does occur during the daytime as well but if the sun is out it is not such a big problem. I have talked to friends who have the same problem with their vehicles. This is a safety issue but I have been unable to get GM or my car dealership to acknowledge this problem exists. …
In January of 2015 the electronic door lock system began to malfunction. The remote first failed to control the right rear door. Then the malfunction spread to the left front door lock. The situation became worse until the entire locking system could only be controlled manually. Even then the physical key control frequently malfunctioned. Safety hazards were created including locking the keys inside an unoccupied running vehile, being totally unable to unlock the vehicle, and generally inconsistent ability too maintain control over the vehicles locking status. Approximately $1,000 dollars have been spent using genuine GMC parts to correct the problem. It is still unstable and in a deteriorated condition.
Takata recall.. All of my warning dash lights are on at times or the whole dash, radio and everything go out then comes back, the ignition has been pausing before it turns over, the front end of the car rattles, ABS, t/c and air bags warning lights are almost always on.. I have replaced 1000.00s of dollars to fix the problem and nothing changes. I have replaced the wheel hubs, ignition module, the 700.00 part for the ecbm, nothing changes, I believe its an electrical problem that no one has been to find. It doesnt matter if the car is stationary, in motion or where I am driving. I need help with my car, please. I dont have pictures , can you please help me
The air bag light comes on intermittently. I took it in for service, and was told it would be $1300 to replace the passenger presence module. I've seen other complaints online regarding this same item. I've also had issues with the automatic locks. It initially started with the passenger front door, and has now progressed to all the doors. The price I was given to repair this was $1600. Again, I've seen numerous online complaints concerning this item. This is my 3rd Buick, and I do not intend to buy another one. It seems once the warranty expires, several costly repairs are incurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the key partially disengaged from the ignition switch and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle rolled to the bottom of the incline and then restarted. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system); however, the part needed to perform 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 approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
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 2009 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Buick Lacrosse, 29% of the model year's 106 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 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.