Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Buick Lucerne owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
The car cuts off whwn you're driving it without warning. I have had the crankshaft position sensor replaced two times and it continues to fail. There are even reports in the internet that list this as a problem with this vehicle. I am afraid that someone will hit me from the rear and cause me injury or death. I am about to have this sensor replaced for a third time. It's absolutely ridiculous that I have to keep spending money out of my pocket for the same thing over and over again. This incident is a continual problem. It doesn't matter if you're stopped or driving it just happens out of the blue with no warning.
I am writing a complaint to inform you about my 2006 Buick Lucerne, VIN number [redacted]. It has a defect. The car has been accelerating at various times. Also, the car has turned off twice while I was driving. The first time was while I was driving in the parking lot at my job and the second time was on May 24, 2017 as I was just starting to pass the blinking lights. I really feel that the car is no longer safe to be driven after the recall in 2015. I honestly would like the problem fixed as soon as possible for my safety and the safety of others. This car is unsafe and I would prefer to have the value of the car instead of the car being repaired. The car was supposedly fixed after the recall and the same problem is still happening. It is my opinion that this car cannot be repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. The contact noticed oil leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the head gasket failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000. Consumer stated vehicle diagnosed oil lead can only be fixed by having the engine replaced.
Aluminum v8 engine leaking oil profusely. Now getting smoke and odor while driving. My concern is that oil is leaking on to the hot exhaust manifold and could possibly ignite. I suspect engine bolts need to be retorqued which would necessitate engine removal to accomplish. This is a major design flaw which needs correcting. Leaks occur during all phases of operation. The leaks first became evident several years ago and have progressively worsened since.
This 2006 Lucerne engine shuts off while in motion without warning. It has shut off four times this year and two times last year. The last time it shut off, was April 11, 2017 5:00 pm central standard time on a busy city street. My wife is not strong enough to steer this car when the engine shuts down. When she had restarted the engine she was so nervous until she accidentally turned the wrong way onto a busy by-pass.
While passing a vehicle, accelerator immediately accelerated the vehicle to over 115 MPH quickly, and the speed continued to climb. Could not deaccelerate. Both feet on the brake, no luck, shifted to 1st gear, no luck, pushed many buttons on steering wheel, no luck, accepted the fact that this was going to be a high speed deliberate rollover. Finally at the last possible moment, throttle disengaged.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off. After restarting the engine, the vehicle continued to shut off. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 67,000. Updated 12/20/16 updated 12/27/16.
I replaced my sensor and my thermostat because the dashboard said the car was overheating after replacing it the dashboard continues to say the car is overheating. It's doing it while driving on public street and highways
Tl contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that at 6,000 miles, the check engine light illuminated. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the motors wiring harness had fallen into the manifold and burned some wires. The vehicle was repaired in August of 2006. In September of 2006, while driving on the interstate, the vehicle suddenly shut off in the middle of traffic. In October of 2006, the vehicle would not start again. She took the vehicle back to the mechanic, but no failures were found because the vehicle started immediately. Two weeks later, the vehicle failed to start again. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and it would not start for them as well. The mechanic stated that the ignition wire code appeared when the vehicle was diagnosed and they made the repair. …
Engine complaints in other Lucerne years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Buick Lucerne?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Buick Lucerne, 10% of the model year's 330 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Buick Lucerne engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Buick Lucerne, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Buick Lucerne engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.