2009 Buick Lucerne Problems & Complaints

Average30% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Lucerne at the same age

Owners have filed 128 complaints about the 2009 Buick Lucerne with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Lucerne at the same age. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (76 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

128complaints
2recalls
6crashes
17fires
5injuries
0deaths

Most common 2009 Buick Lucerne problems

  • Electrical system~85,000 miles
    7659%
  • 4535%
  • Engine & cooling~72,000 miles
    108%
  • Body & structure~119,000 miles
    86%
  • Stability & traction control~77,000 miles
    65%
  • Steering~60,000 miles
    65%
  • Air bags~40,000 miles
    54%
  • Speed control & acceleration~6,000 miles
    54%
  • Other / not specified~62,000 miles
    43%
  • Locks & latches~37,000 miles
    32%
  • Brakes~65,000 miles
    32%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~147,000 miles
    32%
  • Seats~3,000 miles
    22%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~97,000 miles
    22%
  • Wheels & tires~96,000 miles
    22%
  • Lights~0 miles
    11%
  • Seat belts~1,000 miles
    11%
  • Suspension~97,000 miles
    11%

Share of the 128 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 →

2009 Buick Lucerne recalls (2)

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…

What 2009 Buick Lucerne owners say

Electrical system all 76 →

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspection he became aware that one of the relays from the electric fuel pump under the rear passenger's seat needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the fuel pump relay prong base had melted due to overheating. In addition, the contact stated that the fuse was a 10.01 AMP instead of a 5 AMP which could have caused the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred 2 days later. The manufacturer was made not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

66,000 miles · Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the fuel pump relay overheated and burned the fuse box. The accelerator pedal and steering wheel became inoperable. The contact was able to control the vehicle and park the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact replaced the relay, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact called the local dealer and was advised to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

170,000 miles · Mar 2023

Fuel & propulsion system all 45 →

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to safely drive onto the shoulder, and the tow truck was contacted. The vehicle was later towed to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel relay had failed. The contact was informed that the relay had failed due to the location under the driver's side rear seat, and while touching the motor terminal. The contact stated that there was a TSB associated with the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

70,000 miles · Dec 2025

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the fuel pump was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The fuel module was replaced by the contact but the failure reoccurred. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and had the vehicle towed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 41,000.

41,000 miles · Jul 2023

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the fuel pump relay overheated and burned the fuse box. The accelerator pedal and steering wheel became inoperable. The contact was able to control the vehicle and park the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact replaced the relay, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact called the local dealer and was advised to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

170,000 miles · Mar 2023

While driving in petoskey the car started to miss an backfiring then the motor stop running. I couldn't stop or steer the car. After I got the car finely stopped the car wouldn't start up an I could smell like wire burning. I had the car delivered to an auto shop brown motors in harbor springs mi. After the diagnosis they found that the fuse block under the rear seat was burned up at the fuel pump fuse, an was on fire at one time.. The fuse block was beyond fixing an needed a new one installed. There was a recall on the ignition switch, but this isn't what is wrong with these cars, I don' believe that the ignition switch on there recall are what is wrong, I believe that the fuse block is what wrong with there recalls when the fuse shorts out the fuel pump stops an so does the car motor. …

108,000 miles · Feb 2015 · fire

2009 Buick Lucerne engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.9L 6-cyl4-speed automaticFWD17 / 26 / 21
4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automaticFWD15 / 22 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Large car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Buick Lucerne a good car?

Based on 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Lucerne rates average: 30% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Lucerne at the same age. It is one of the best Lucerne years by this measure. 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 Lucerne?

The electrical system — 76 complaints, 59% of all complaints for this model year, most often about wiring › fuses and circuit breakers. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (45) and engine & cooling (10).

How many recalls does the 2009 Buick Lucerne have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2009 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 2009 Buick Lucerne problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 21% 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.