Fuel System complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
We have a Buick Lucerne 2010. We went out it would not start. Tow it to dealership they replace the fuel pump. We did. Get it home next day it will not start again. Tow it to dealership again. This time they find melted wire connectors. Under back seat and on a fuse box.They replace them it starts and melt them again. This time they call to junk yards to get a used fuse box and connectors. Because of cost. The junk yards did tell them it's a known problem with these cars and they sell these fuse boxes and connectors sell as fast as they get them. We said no used parts on this car. Come to find out that GM now's about this problem. And has not done anything about it. They meaning GM. Has even put out papers on the internet as how to try and fix it. Such as cut the insulation around the fuse box.And even cutting the seat belt bracket. My wife drives this car everyday. …
See GM Bulletin # 15-na-051 Vehicle died, required tow, found out due to fuel pump relay per bulletin cited above. Rear seat bracket interfered with fuse box, disabling vehicle requiring tow. Vehicle repaired at owners cost. Due to safety factor involved, the seriousness of the situation, for what portion of the costs of repair will the manufacturer be responsible?
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.
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.
-The electrical system failed, causing the fuel pump to not work properly due to design flaw in the backseat putting pressure on the fuse box which is located under the backseat. The spot where contact is made to the fuse box, is where the fuel pump relay is. Pressure from the seat bracket (with or without a passenger in the seat) causes the pump replay to not make proper contact with the terminal, therefore causing the power to arc and get so hot that the relay starts smoking, melting the relay, fuse box and surrounding fuses and leaving black scorch marks on the inside of the lid to fuse box and making the car smell like burnt plastic. …
Fuse box (rear) 2008 Buick Lucerne CXL. FUEL PUMP Relay burns fuses out quickly. The fuse box located under the back seat has been having issues of burning where the fuel pump relay is located. It then in turn shorts out the fuse box which keeps needing to be replaced. This is a safety issue as it catches fire under the back seat. Fuse box has been replaced before and continues to have issues and melts, causing the vehicle to die in mid traffic, does at stop lights or even just parked and running it dies out and smells like burning plastic. The fuse box has caught fire several times. The issue has been confirmed by several mechanics and dealerships. Also there is a history of electrical problems with the rear fuse box in carfax. There was no warning, and now the check engine light is illuminated. We bought the vehicle last year in June of 2024. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Lucerne years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (62), 2009 (45), 2010 (12), 2006 (7) and 2011 (6) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Buick Lucerne fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 16% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the delivery › fuel pump (13 mentions), followed by the storage › fuel gauge system (1).
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.