GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Buick LaCrosse powertrain problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handling of assembly returns for Canadian Dealers only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2005 Buick LaCrosse report two main powertrain issues. The first is erratic shifting and transmission failure. Complaints describe loud clunking when shifting into Drive, delayed or hard gear engagement, and complete transmission failure requiring rebuild. One owner reported the transmission failed at 81,000 miles after the dealer dismissed early hard-shifting symptoms; another had the transmission rebuilt, only to have it fail again. A third owner reported the vehicle would only access 1st, 2nd, and Reverse gears, with Drive inoperable. The second issue is sudden loss of power during acceleration. Owners report the car won't accelerate or will lose power abruptly, lasting anywhere from a few seconds to 10 minutes. One owner noted this happens consistently between 50 and 60 mph; another experienced it while merging onto a highway, nearly causing an accident. No diagnostic trouble codes appear, and dealerships have stated they cannot replicate the problems or find causes. One complaint mentions a burning-wire smell accompanying transmission warning light illumination and jerky automatic shifting. Dealers have attributed one loss-of-power issue to a possible wireless accelerator but refused to replace it without being able to reproduce the failure.
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission hard shifting and failure
Transmission exhibits delayed engagement, loud clunking when shifting into Drive, and complete transmission failure requiring rebuild. Some vehicles affected multiple times.
When: Failures reported at 73,000, 81,000, and 118,000 miles. Hard shifting precedes complete failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clunking noise when shifting into Drive; Vehicle feels out of gear during shift; Engine revs before proper gear engagement; Abnormal shifting; Hard shifting; Transmission stops working
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported transmission rebuild cost $2,500. Another owner had transmission rebuilt, but failure recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated vehicle was working properly despite owner complaints; refused to acknowledge transmission problem until complete failure occurred.
Sudden loss of power during acceleration
Vehicle loses power or refuses to accelerate without warning, no diagnostic codes appear. Occurs both at low and high speeds. Duration varies from seconds to 10 minutes.
When: Occurs intermittently; one owner reports consistent failure between 50–60 mph; one incident during highway merge.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power; Car will not accelerate; Car does nothing for several seconds before bucking; Power loss during speed increase; Engine dies; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership suggested possible wireless accelerator issue but refused to replace without being able to reproduce problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable or unwilling to find cause; stated they cannot duplicate problem.
Transmission electrical/thermal issue with jerky shifting
Burning-wire smell, transmission warning light illumination, and jerky automatic shifting occur together, suggesting possible electrical or thermal transmission malfunction.
When: Timing not specified in complaint.
Symptoms owners cite: Burning-wire smell; Transmission warning light illumination; Jerky automatic shifting
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2005 Buick LaCrosse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2005 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 73,000 and 118,000 miles, with the median around 83,371. A quarter of owners report trouble before 73,000; a quarter make it past 118,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Buick/LaCrosse.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.