Most common 2011 Buick Lucerne problems
Share of the 49 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Buick Lucerne complaints by model year
Best Lucerne years: 2010, 2011, 2009. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007, 2008. Compare all years →
2011 Buick Lucerne recalls (2)
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 system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
General motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 dts and Buick lucerne vehicles equipped with v8 engines. The starter or alternator cable is in contact with the power steering return line.
Remedy: Dealers will secure and if necessary reroute the lines to prevent contact. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on November 19, 2010.
What 2011 Buick Lucerne owners say
Electrical system all 23 →
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle failed to start-up without warning. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the circuit board which was in the rear back seat. The contact stated that the rear seat latches had rubbed against the circuit box, causing the circuit to overheat. The circuit board was replaced. The contact then stated that upon entering his vehicle while in a parking lot, blueish colored smoke was coming from the vehicle. The contact removed the back seat and saw that the circuit board had started melting. The Police were first called to the scene and the Fire Department then arrived and was able to extinguish the smoke before the circuit board caught on fire. Neither a Police report nor a Fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it remained. …
The vehicle's instrument cluster appears to be a non-original unit that may not be correct for the model year. The cluster is responsible for displaying the odometer and communicating with other vehicle systems. After purchase, I observed that diagnostic scan tools could not consistently access or communicate with multiple modules, and an experienced mechanic indicated the instrument cluster may be incompatible with the vehicle's configuration. Because the odometer reading is displayed through this component, there is concern that the mileage may not be independently verifiable. The vehicle otherwise operates, but diagnostic communication inconsistencies raise questions about the reliability of system-level data. Additionally, there does not appear to be any service documentation indicating that the instrument cluster or odometer system was replaced, repaired, or recalibrated. …
Engine & cooling
2011 Buick Lucerne. Consumer states issues with vehicle and describes a crash the consumer stated there was a very loud noise emitting from the vehicle which lasted about 30 to 60 seconds. Two days later, the noise returned, but it sounded as though steel was breaking. A week later, the consumer and his wife were involved in an accident. The police stated the consumer made an illegal u-turn and therefore, the vehicle was t-boned. The consumer believed he and his wife were inhaling toxic fumes and possibly passed out. After the accident, there was a muffled explosion that came from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Lucerne. While driving 60 MPH, the engine stalled and the steering wheel seized without warning. It took the contact several minutes to restart the vehicle. The failure occurred on several occasions and, each time the vehicle stalled, the contact was locked inside the vehicle due to the electronic lock system within the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact serviced the vehicle himself and found that the wiring harness had melted and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
Fuel pump relay is overheating to dangerously high temperatures. At least 211 F degrees. Causes the fuel pump fuse to melt leaving me stranded. Immediate replacement of the 20 AMP fuse is necessary to get the car running again. The fuel pump relay gets really hot even if the AC is not on. Waited for hour and a half in near 100 F degree heat for a tow truck to it home. I'm lucky the car did not catch on fire. I know quite a few of the Buick Lucerne's have had recalls regarding this item. Picture of the actual car is included. No police report was necessary as this was a breakdown situation. This has utterly disrupted my life because I do not have access to a car with good air conditioning until this problem is repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and an electrical burning odor was present inside the cabin. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump relay had overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 160,000.
2011 Buick Lucerne engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 26 / 21 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Buick Lucerne a good car?
Based on 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Lucerne rates better than average: 69% 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 2011 Buick Lucerne?
The electrical system — 23 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (6) and fuel & propulsion system (6).
How many recalls does the 2011 Buick Lucerne have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2011 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 2011 Buick Lucerne problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 56% 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.