2005 Buick LaCrosse Problems, Recalls & Reliability
415 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2005 Buick LaCrosse, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 89/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 92,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2005 sits among all LaCrosse years
What owners report
“My head lights won't come on and my air bag light comes on and off all day long while driving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 LaCrosse
“While driving the car down the road it will "randomly" shut off. Giving no indication other then dimming lights. Neither the dealership or the garage i went to can explain it. The power steering doesnt work and has almost caused me to crash on the highway and town roads.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 LaCrosse
“The consumer received a recall letter in the mail regarding a problem with the brakes.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 LaCrosse
“2005 buick lacrosse airbag light tentatively turns on. This model has airbag recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2005 LaCrosse
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 285 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 65,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 28,000 and 100,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x…
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at…
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.…
Fix: 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.…
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL…
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT…
Fix: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIN COULD HAVE BEEN BENT WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED. A BENT CLIP MAY COME OFF, ALLOWING THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD BUSHING AND RETAINING CLIP AND, IF THE CLIP WAS MISSING, A NEW BRAKE PEDAL ARM ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2005. OWNERS…
Technical service bulletins
576 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2005 Buick LaCrosse. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2005 LaCrosse TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2005 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
The 2005 Buick LaCrosse drew 415 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 89/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2005 Buick LaCrosse problems?
The top reported problems for the 2005 Buick LaCrosse are electrical (170 complaints), steering (51), and brakes & stability (39).
At what mileage do 2005 Buick LaCrosse problems show up?
Owners most often report 2005 Buick LaCrosse problems around 65,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 28,000 and 100,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2005 Buick LaCrosse. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.