YearToAvoid

2010 Buick Lucerne Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

0/100

#2 most-complained of 2 Lucerne years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2010 Buick Lucerne has 54 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls, ranking as the worse of the 2 model years tracked. Electrical System issues lead with 19 complaints (35% share), including fuse box melting and burning odors, alongside 2 recalls tied to electrical/airbag and starter cable wiring.

Complaints
54
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 2
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 26 hwy

Top 2010 Buick Lucerne problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System19 (35%)
  2. Fuel System12 (22%)
  3. Structure & Body11 (20%)
  4. Engine10 (19%)
  5. Steering9 (17%)
  6. Brakes6 (11%)
  7. Airbags3 (6%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain2 (4%)
  9. Other1 (2%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Fuse box and fuse box relay overheat and melt, sometimes producing a burning odor in the cabin.
  • Vehicle fails to start, with a burned-out fuse traced to the fuse box even after replacing the fuel pump.
  • Frontal and driver side airbags fail to deploy during a low-speed crash.
  • Brakes and power steering fail suddenly while pulling out of a driveway at low mileage.
  • Power steering and braking are lost simultaneously after being struck from behind, preventing the driver from steering or braking.
  • Power driver's seat unexpectedly drops to the floor and will not hold its set position despite repeated dealer visits.
2010 Buick Lucerne complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2010Jun 2011Feb 2014Jun 2015Jul 2017Jun 2019Nov 2020Jan 2024
75 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2010 to Aug 2025; peak Dec 2014 (4).

2010 Buick Lucerne recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict054220
2011No verdict10049219.5

All Buick Lucerne years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Buick Lucerne reliable?
NHTSA lists 54 owner complaints and 2 recalls for the 2010 Lucerne, with Electrical System problems making up 35% of complaints. Among the 2 model years tracked, 2010 ranks as the worse year based on complaints and recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Buick Lucerne?
Electrical System issues top the list with 19 complaints (35% share), followed by Fuel System (12 complaints, 22%), Structure & Body (11 complaints, 20%), and Engine (10 complaints, 19%).
Does the 2010 Buick Lucerne have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2010 Lucerne, both tied to the Electrical System. One involves an airbag-related key ring issue, and the other involves starter or alternator cables contacting the power steering return line.
At what mileage do 2010 Lucerne electrical problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints is 71,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.