2011 Buick Lucerne Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Buick Lucerne ranks 5th of 6 model years with a complaint index of 20 and earns a Best verdict relative to other Lucerne years. It has 49 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #5 of 6 Lucerne years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 49
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2011 Buick Lucerne problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System23 (47%)
- Engine11 (22%)
- Fuel System6 (12%)
- Brakes5 (10%)
- Other3 (6%)
- Structure & Body3 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (6%)
- Steering2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration at very low speeds (around 3-5 mph) that ended in a crash into a wall.
- Owners describe a loud noise from the engine, sometimes described as sounding like breaking steel, occurring before other failures.
- A fuel pump relay reportedly overheated, causing a no-start condition and an electrical burning smell inside the cabin.
- Some owners report the vehicle would not start and the key fob stopped working, with one owner becoming locked inside the car.
- Windshield glass was reported to be visibly distorted near the bottom on a new vehicle, causing nausea while driving.
- Owners report the rear park-assist system flashing intermittently and failing to beep as intended.
2011 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.
2011 Buick Lucerne fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,350
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- 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.
2011 compared with other Lucerne years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Buick Lucerne reliable?
- Relative to other Lucerne model years, the 2011 ranks well: it has a complaint index of 20 and ranks 5th worst out of 6 years, earning a Best verdict. It logged 49 complaints and 2 recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick Lucerne?
- The top problem area is the Electrical System, accounting for 47% of complaints (23 of 49), followed by Engine issues at 22% (11 complaints) and Fuel System issues at 12% (6 complaints).
- Does the 2011 Buick Lucerne have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Lucerne, both involving the Electrical System: one for airbag-related key ring issues and one for a starter/alternator cable contacting the power steering return line. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2011 Lucerne compare to other years?
- The 2011 has a complaint index of 20, much lower than 2006 (100, Avoid) and 2008 (80, Avoid). Only 2010, with a complaint index of 0 and a Best verdict, ranks better among the 6 years with data.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2011 Lucerne?
- Electrical System complaints show a median mileage at failure of 106,000, while Engine complaints show a much lower median mileage of 18,723.