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moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Of the 7 model years of Buick LaCrosse we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 24.
Pushing on the pedal will not apply the brakes and a vehicle crash could occur without prior warning.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides technicians with a brake lathe calibration procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0442. Technician will need to review Techlink article from May 2013 titled "Using the Evaporative Emissions System Tester" Technician will need to follow these steps to help diagnose the issue. First after the P0442 has been verified do not disturb any of the fuel system components. The technician now can use the scan tool to close the Evaporative Emissions System. If possible change the tank pressure sensor units from inch_H2O to milimeter_Hg for better resolution. Now the vehicle can be star
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners describe five distinct brake problems on the 2005 LaCrosse. First, rotors warp prematurely, causing vibration and pulsation during braking. Dealers machine the rotors rather than replace them, and the shaking returns. Second, brake pads fail rapidly—sometimes within 5,000 miles—with noise and reduced stopping power; GM has service bulletins for this issue but doesn't notify owners. Third, the ABS system becomes unreliable: the warning light stays on, brakes require repeated pumping, and one owner had wheel speed sensors replaced six times without fixing it. A corroded wheel speed sensor was identified and fixed in another case. Fourth, brakes pull hard to one side when applied, in one case severe enough to make the steering wheel yank out of the driver's hands and cause a skid. Finally, the brake booster push rod clip (recall campaigns 05V156000 and 14V291000) can separate, risking total brake failure. Multiple owners received recall notices but dealerships couldn't obtain parts for weeks, leaving vehicles in unsafe condition during the wait.
Rotors warp prematurely, causing vibration when braking. One owner reported rotors made of poor material; dealerships respond by machining rotors rather than replacing them.
When: Early in ownership; one case noted at 3,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle shaking when brakes applied; vibration at low speed (10 mph); pulsating brakes
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors machined at dealership; owner reports rotors remachined multiple times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM noted brake pad crystallization issue in one case; directed dealer to stop further brake work on 6-30-05
Brake pads wear out or fail rapidly, sometimes crystallizing. Noisy brake operation reported in multiple cases. Service bulletins exist but GM does not proactively notify owners.
When: Early in vehicle life; one case at 5,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: grumbling or erratic noise from brakes; brakes not performing properly; increased stopping distance
Repairs/costs cited: Pads replaced multiple times; owners report defective pad design; service bulletins available but not advertised by GM
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin exists but not distributed; owner had to complain to get attention
ABS warning light illuminates and brake behavior becomes unpredictable. System activates at inappropriate times or fails to provide full stopping power. Wheel speed sensor corrosion identified in at least one case.
When: Around 64,000 miles in one documented case; intermittent throughout ownership in others
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; abnormal sound when brakes depressed; brake pedal requires repeated pumping; ABS activates early at low speeds; significant loss of braking force; traction control light comes on intermittently
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel bearing sensors replaced up to six times without resolving the issue in one case; corroded wheel speed sensor replacement corrected the problem in another case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate failure in at least one case; manufacturer made aware but no specific remedy documented
Vehicle pulls to one side when brakes are applied, sometimes severely enough to cause loss of steering control. Brakes may hesitate or not respond evenly.
When: At 100,000 miles in one case; early in ownership in another
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle pulls hard to the right when braking; steering wheel breaks away from driver's hands; vehicle enters wild skid; brakes hesitate to stop; hard braking causes severe pulling
Repairs/costs cited: One case also involved tie rod and wheel hub replacement plus brake drum resurfacing without resolving the issue
Recall campaign 05V156000 and 14V291000 address a bent brake booster push rod clip that can separate from the brake pedal arm, causing complete brake failure. Multiple owners report extended delays in obtaining recall parts.
When: Identified during recall campaigns; not failure-driven
Symptoms owners cite: recall notification received; no active failure in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Parts required for recall not available for weeks or longer; one owner waited two weeks before getting repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaigns 05V156000 and 14V291000 issued; manufacturers exceeded reasonable repair timeframes per owner complaints; parts availability issues persisted months after recall notification
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 3,500 and 64,000 miles, with the median around 35,650. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,500; a quarter make it past 64,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.