2010 Buick Lucerne Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2010 Buick Lucerne has a complaint index of 0, the lowest among the six model years with data, and ranks 6th worst (best overall) with a Best verdict. It has 54 complaints and 2 recalls, both tied to the electrical system.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #6 of 6 Lucerne years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 54
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2010 Buick Lucerne problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System19 (35%)
- Fuel System12 (22%)
- Structure & Body11 (20%)
- Engine10 (19%)
- Steering9 (17%)
- Brakes6 (11%)
- Airbags3 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (4%)
- Other1 (2%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the fuse box overheating and melting, sometimes with a burning odor in the cabin.
- Some describe sudden loss of steering and brake assist while pulling out of a driveway.
- Frontal and side airbags reportedly failed to deploy during low-speed frontal crashes.
- Power seats have been reported to unexpectedly drop backward while driving and could not be repaired after multiple dealer visits.
- A few drivers noted the fuel pump was replaced for a no-start condition, but the underlying fuse box fault continued.
2010 Buick Lucerne recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V355000Jun 23, 2014Electrical System3,141,731 vehicles
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. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
- NHTSA 10V553000Nov 5, 2010Electrical System13,780 vehicles
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. If either the starter or alternator cable is contacting the power steering return line, the cable could wear through the line, causing a power steering fluid leak.
Risk: A power steering leak could result in a loss of power steering, increasing the risk of a crash, and/or the leak onto hot engine parts could cause an engine compartment fire.
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. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, buick at 1-866-608-8080 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
2010 Buick Lucerne fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Lucerne years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Buick Lucerne reliable?
- Among Buick Lucerne model years with data, 2010 has the lowest complaint index (0) and carries a Best verdict, with 54 complaints and 2 recalls reported to NHTSA.
- What problems does the 2010 Buick Lucerne have?
- NHTSA complaints point mostly to the electrical system (35% of complaints, including fuse box overheating), the fuel system (22%), and structure & body issues like seat and head restraint problems (20%).
- Does the 2010 Buick Lucerne have any recalls?
- Yes, two recalls, both involving the electrical system: one about a starter/alternator cable contacting the power steering line, and one about key fob movement affecting airbag operation.
- How does the 2010 Lucerne compare to other years?
- The 2010 model ranks 6th worst of 6 years tracked, meaning it has the fewest reported problems relative to other Lucerne years, alongside 2011 which also earns a Best verdict.
- What is the median mileage for failures in the 2010 Lucerne?
- Across all reported problems, the median mileage at failure was 56,576 miles, with electrical and fuel system issues appearing later, around 71,000 to 73,900 miles.