Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the engine shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle restarted independently after 10-15 minutes. The messages "Reduced Engine Power", "Starting Disabled", "Service Throttle", "Service Stabili-trak Soon" were displayed, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20-30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two occasions, and the dealer retrieved diagnostic test codes: P2138 and P2122. The dealer replaced the throttle body and the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure mainly recurred while making left turns. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, oil leaked from underneath the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that 16 different oil seals had failed, which caused oil to leak from the engine. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 13,000.
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.
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. …
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated, and the message "Add Engine Oil" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred immediately. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the TCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred approximately a week later. The vehicle was then towed to the same independent mechanic, where it was determined that the coil pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. …
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed the vehicle lost motive power with the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Lucerne years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (33), 2008 (28), 2007 (22), 2009 (10) and 2010 (7) model years. Engine complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Buick Lucerne engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Buick Lucerne model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Buick Lucerne engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (7 mentions), followed by the exhaust system › emission control (2).
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.