Buick Lucerne Best and Worst Years (2006–2011)
Buick Lucerne owners should avoid 2006 and 2008, which post the highest complaint indexes (100 and 80) out of 943 total complaints across 2006-2011. 2010 and 2011 rank best, while 2007 rates Good; electrical system problems make up 44% of all complaints.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 6
- 2006–2011
- NHTSA complaints
- 943
- Recall campaigns
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 74
- Fires reported
- 50
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Lucerne Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Buick Lucerne problems and recalls by year
Lucerne years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Buick Lucerne Index 100 · 330 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2006 Lucerne carries the highest complaint index (100) of any model year and ranks worst overall, with 330 complaints logged. Electrical system issues account for 33% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 20,000 miles. Structure and body complaints follow at 24% (median 66,622 miles), then engine at 16% (median 52,000 miles) and steering at 13% (median 51,193 miles). NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, including an airbag-related key ring issue and a wire harness recall shared with other GM models. Owners reported crashes tied to loss of steering control and unintended acceleration events.
2006 electrical system problems →2006 structure & body problems →2006 engine problems →
2008 Buick Lucerne Index 80 · 218 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2008 Lucerne has a complaint index of 80, the second-worst among the years covered, with 218 total complaints. Electrical system problems dominate at 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 77,301 miles, followed by fuel system issues at 28% (median 85,506 miles) and engine problems at 16% (median 60,000 miles). Three recall campaigns apply to this year, including the shared wire harness fix and a heated windshield washer fluid module recall tied to reported fires. Owners described sudden acceleration incidents and windshield wiper fluid system malfunctions, some involving crashes.
2008 electrical system problems →2008 fuel system problems →2008 engine problems →
Most common Buick Lucerne problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System416 (44%)
- Engine146 (15%)
- Structure & Body144 (15%)
- Fuel System135 (14%)
- Steering83 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires81 (9%)
- Airbags79 (8%)
- Brakes75 (8%)
- Other39 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers33 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Buick Lucerne years should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint data points to 2006 and 2008 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80, the two highest among the 2006-2011 Lucerne lineup.
- What are the best Buick Lucerne years?
- 2010 and 2011 rate Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 20, the lowest of all six model years. 2007 also rates Good with an index of 40.
- What is the most common problem on the Buick Lucerne?
- Electrical system issues are the top complaint category across all years, making up 416 of 943 total complaints, or 44%.
- Does the Buick Lucerne have recalls?
- NHTSA lists six recall campaigns across the 2006-2011 Lucerne, including electrical system and airbag-related recalls affecting 2006 and 2008 models.
- Is the 2009 Buick Lucerne reliable?
- The 2009 Lucerne rates Caution with a complaint index of 60, better than 2006 and 2008 but worse than 2007, 2010, and 2011.