2006 Buick Lucerne Problems & Complaints

Avoid2.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Lucerne at the same age

Owners have filed 330 complaints about the 2006 Buick Lucerne with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 2.8× as many as a typical Lucerne model year at the same age, which makes the 2006 one of the Lucerne years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (101 complaints, typically around 38,000 miles). 4 recalls cover this model year.

330complaints
4recalls
29crashes
2fires
23injuries
1deaths

Most common 2006 Buick Lucerne problems

  • Electrical system~38,000 miles
    10131%
  • Body & structure~67,000 miles
    5918%
  • Steering~51,000 miles
    4313%
  • Air bags~81,000 miles
    3511%
  • Engine & cooling~70,000 miles
    3310%
  • Wheels & tires~50,000 miles
    258%
  • Locks & latches~67,000 miles
    247%
  • 216%
  • Brakes~52,000 miles
    206%
  • Suspension~46,000 miles
    165%
  • Lights~1,000 miles
    155%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~52,000 miles
    144%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~14,000 miles
    113%
  • Other / not specified~94,000 miles
    93%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~19,000 miles
    72%
  • Stability & traction control~75,000 miles
    72%
  • Seats~96,000 miles
    52%
  • Equipment & accessories~40,000 miles
    31%
  • A/C & heater~6,000 miles
    10%
  • Seat belts~40,000 miles
    10%

Share of the 330 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Buick Lucerne complaints by model year

2006200720082009201020113301642181285449
Owner complaints per model year, Buick Lucerne. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Lucerne years: 2010, 2011, 2009. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007, 2008. Compare all years →

2006 Buick Lucerne recalls (4)

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 14V-355 · Jun 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles

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 system

NHTSA recall 10V-240 · Jun 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles

GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009…

Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 08V-441 · Aug 28, 2008 · 857,735 vehicles

GM is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system.

Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com;…

Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections

NHTSA recall 06V-105 · Apr 5, 2006 · 12,862 vehicles

On certain vehicles equipped with a v8 engine,the power steering hose connectors May have been inadequately crimped which could result in a fluid leak.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering gear inlet hose. The recall began on March 29, 2006. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2006 Buick Lucerne:

Non-crash engine compartment fires

NHTSA investigation EA08010 · opened Jun 12, 2008 · closed Sep 8, 2008 · led to recall 08V-441

In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.

What 2006 Buick Lucerne owners say

Electrical system all 101 →

My power steering went out so my mechanic checked it out and said my pump went out so I bought a new power steering pump and pulley had it put on and that didn't fix the problem. The next day I went out of town to visit family and my car caught on fire due to the power steering fluid leaked all out on the motor and got hot enough to catch on fire. then my ignition stoped going all the way in park so I would have to disconect my battery cables so that it wouldn't run my battery down. The car wouldn't go all the way up in park making the ignition key wouldn't turn back far enough to shut my car off and lights

Sep 2022 · fire

I have a 2006 buick lucerne that loses power randomly as I'm driving whether its pulling outbjnto traffic, which could cause injuries possibly even death, or maintain a certain speed for any amount of time , it just randomly loses power and wont go for however long until it starts to accelerate again . Also if I'm at a red light or stopped waiting to pull out somewhere , although I have my foot on the break, my car begins to accelerate and almost pulling me out into traffic. I have a service engine light and the code reads h02s heating control circuit sensor but I've yet to have it inspected because there isn't a recall for my car on that problem even though I've heard and read many complaints with the same or similar issues

Sep 2021

Body & structure all 59 →

Defectives airbags. The side airbags didn't go off when I was hit on my driver side door. I dont feel safe in that vehicle. I was making a left turn and a truck was. Stopped at a yield sign where the road came to a t. I had the right of way to make my turn. As soon as I was making the turn the other driver drove foward hitting the driver side of my car totaled my driver door. The airbags on either side of the car never went off.

Body · 147,000 miles · Nov 2017 · crash · 2 injuries

On May 13, 2016 I went to open the driver's side front door. The car was stationary. To my utter surprise, the handle came completely off! On May 25, I took it to reichard, dealership. Since the car has only 54, 589 miles on it I asked the dealer for assistance in paying to fix it. He refused, saying "we get a lot of these. The manufacturer used plastic instead of metal and the plastic breaks." I asked the advisor to call general motors. She did and reported back to me that GM would not do anything. One of the advisors told me that I can expect the other three door handles to break as well. Since the car only has 54K miles, how could that happen? I have three other cars and only drive the Lucerne a few times a year, mainly on out-of-town trips. Therefore, I have driven the car only about 5,500 miles per year. I consider this a defect in the design and manufacturing of this vehicle. …

Body · 56,000 miles · May 2016

Steering all 43 →

I have 2006 buick lucerne.i paid over 800 dollars get brakes fixed.now they saying messed up again power steering messed up.the front passenger side where tire hits bump makes nise like strut.power steering fluid leaking brake fliud leaking.air bags.

Feb 2021

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering wheel abnormally moved side to side. The vehicle then veered to the left. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete barrier. The contact sustained injuries to his head, neck, and shoulder. The contact was advised by another driver that the front driver's side wheel buckled under the vehicle and the left rear wheel had completely detached from the vehicle. The contact sought medical attention after the crash. The police arrived to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body repair shop. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and sent an inspector to assess the vehicle. The contact stated that the intermediate steering shaft was replaced one week prior to the crash. The vehicle was not repaired. …

79,000 miles · Oct 2012 · crash · 1 injury

2006 Buick Lucerne engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.8L 6-cyl4-speed automaticFWD17 / 26 / 20
4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automaticFWD15 / 23 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Buick Lucerne a good car?

Based on 330 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Lucerne rates avoid: 2.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Lucerne at the same age. It is one of the Lucerne years we suggest avoiding. 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 2006 Buick Lucerne?

The electrical system — 101 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the body & structure (59) and steering (43).

How many recalls does the 2006 Buick Lucerne have?

There are 4 recalls for the 2006 Buick Lucerne, the most recent from June 23, 2014 (ignition). 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 Lucerne?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2011 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2007 and 2008. See the full Buick Lucerne years comparison.

At what mileage do 2006 Buick Lucerne problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 49% 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.