Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2016 | 6 | 13% | 78,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 16% | 15,000 miles |
| 2014 | 8 | 13% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 4% | 5,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 2% | 87,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 7% | 46,000 miles |
| 2010 | 16 | 8% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 27 | 25% | 50,000 miles |
| 2008 | 77 | 31% | 50,000 miles |
| 2007 | 18 | 7% | 48,000 miles |
| 2006 | 38 | 13% | 62,000 miles |
| 2005 | 34 | 11% | 75,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On June 22,2026, I was involved in a frontal impact collision while traveling at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure of the entire occupant restraint system. Despite a severe, high-speed frontal impact, the frontal airbags failed to physically deploy, and the seatbelt pretensioners failed to tighten, leaving the seatbelts completely loose. Crucially, the dashboard instrument cluster displayed a message indicating that an airbag deployment event had occurred. A check of the VIN shows no open recalls, meaning the GM SDM software update (NHTSA Campaign 16V651000) was likely marked as completed by a prior owner. However, the system completely failed to function as designed during a major crash, mimicking the exact symptoms of the original defect. …
The contact owns a 2016 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, another vehicle spun uncontrollably and crashed into the driver's side door of the vehicle and the door caved in. The contact hit the left side of her head against the front driver's side window. The air bags failed to deploy. The fire department assisted the contact out of the vehicle by cutting the driver-side door. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of emergency units. The contact sustained soreness on the left side of her body, from the neck down to the legs. The contact also sustained bruises on the left side. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact associated the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V437000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 35-40 MPH, a deer struck the front driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The driver's side steering wheel air bag deployed, but did not fully inflate. There were no injuries. A police report was filed and the insurance company was notified. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where and was awaiting inspection from the insurance company. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V651000 (air bags, seat belts). The contact had a repair appointment at a local dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 25 MPH, another vehicle drove through a stop sign and crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000. Updated 01/17/2017
Was in a accident 2/16 speed limit 40 driving on city street. Car in front of me stopped in middle of the rd and started backing up tried to avoid collision and still had impact. The airbags did not deploy and the car engine seemed to accelerate instead of slow down. I had this happen one time before while breaking but then it switched back and drove normal called dealership and they said no recalls. My car was a total loss front impact no airbags deployed
Failed component is the passenger airbag presence module. Failure of the presence module compromises the deployment of airbags. Failure of airbag confirmed by Vetter-McGill Chevrolet, Three Rivers, Michigan. Module component failure confirmed by Chevrolet dealer. Passenger airbag warning light prompted appointment with Chevrolet dealer to determine why the passenger airbag warning light was illuminated. Upon inspection and testing,Vetter-McGill determined the passenger airbag presence module failed, rendering the airbags inoperative. They also stated that replacement part is no longer available from GM due to its manufacture being discontinued. How is an auto manufacturer allowed to discontinue a vital safety component, rendering the vehicle undriveable due to potential risk of serious injury, or worse, in the event of a collision?
I was driving and service power steering message came on and all of a sudden my steering wheel got so hard i couldn't even turn my wheel it was so hard to pull over i put my hazard lights on so i could let traffic know im having trouble with my car it happened 3times the first time 2020 second time 2021 and 2022
Related recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Air bags › Side/window
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015.
Air bags › Frontal
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
Remedy: Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (GM) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in GM's letter to…
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Lacrosse years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (77), 2006 (38), 2005 (34), 2009 (27) and 2007 (18) model years. Airbag complaints make up 31% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Buick Lacrosse airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 17V-437 (sensor/control module-inactive, Jul 10, 2017); 15V-666 (side/window, Oct 16, 2015); 06V-417 (frontal, Oct 31, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Lacrosse airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal › sensor/control module (11 mentions), followed by the frontal (9).
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.