This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Buick LaCrosse airbags problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
3crashes
5injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 29 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 12 model years of Buick LaCrosse in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIR BAG INDICATOR ON WITH DTC B0077, B0078, OR B0092. UPDATED 6/4/10.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ON. UPDATED ON 12/13/07.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT ON WITH DTC B0081 OR B0092 SET IN PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) SDM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 LaCrosse's airbag system exhibits multiple distinct failure modes. The most commonly reported problem is the passenger-side occupancy sensor failing intermittently or entirely—sometimes failing to detect a seated passenger, causing the airbag indicator to turn off when it should be on. This happens at any temperature but is particularly pronounced below 55°F; owners report the sensor activating only after cabin heaters warm the interior. Sensor replacement has been attempted in several cases without resolving the underlying issue.
A second major complaint is an illuminated or flashing airbag warning light on the instrument cluster that dealers cannot diagnose or replicate, often with recommended repairs costing $1,000–$1,500 or more. Owners note that dealers sometimes claim the light is merely a display fault, yet diagnostic codes point to occupant sensing defects.
Less common but severe are two crash-related failures: airbags failing to deploy during actual collisions, and one documented inadvertent deployment of a curtain airbag as a passenger simply entered the vehicle while parked. One owner reports the VIN was excluded from NHTSA recall campaign 06V417000, suggesting incomplete remediation across the model line.
Same Buick LaCrosse airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger seat occupancy sensor fails in cold temperatures below 55°F
Passenger-side airbag sensor does not detect occupant presence at temperatures below 55°F, leaving the airbag disabled even when a passenger is seated. The sensor reactivates only after cabin temperature warms up.
When: Below 55°F ambient or cabin temperature; reported in January in Virginia
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag remains off despite passenger seated and bouncing in seat; Airbag indicator shows 'OFF' in cold conditions; Clicking sound heard when cabin warms and sensor activates
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers told owners this is normal operation
Passenger seat occupancy sensor works intermittently at any temperature
Passenger-side occupancy sensor fails to detect occupant presence intermittently regardless of temperature. The sensor may work normally for periods then randomly fail to activate the airbag for days or weeks at a time, even with the same passenger in the seat.
When: Intermittent; reported at various mileages (62,000 to 160,000) and temperatures (August 80°F); some ongoing since October 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator does not light when passenger seated; Sensor works sometimes, fails other times with same passenger and conditions; On/off control on passenger side quit reading 'on' with passenger present; Airbag light goes off then comes on randomly while driving
Codes mentioned: Intermittent module inside passenger seat
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost cited as $1,000 to $1,300; sensor replacement attempted but failed to resolve issue in at least one case; parts availability issues reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated that as long as airbag warning light is 'off,' all airbags are working; warned that if not fixed, airbags may deploy for no reason
Airbag warning light remains illuminated or flashes intermittently
Airbag warning indicator illuminates on the instrument cluster and either stays on continuously or flashes on and off intermittently while driving or parked. Diagnostic testing often points to sensor or occupancy module defects but dealers frequently cannot replicate or repair the issue.
When: Various mileages (26,000 to 160,000); reported in summer and cold months
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on instrument panel; Light goes off then comes back on randomly; Light flashes on and off repeatedly while driving; Light stays on continuously from vehicle start
Codes mentioned: Occupant sensing system defective, Air bag sensor/module failure in front passenger seat
Repairs/costs cited: Repair parts not available in some cases; sensor/module replacement recommended with costs reported over $1,500 in one instance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to diagnose; one VIN excluded from NHTSA Campaign 06V417000; manufacturer warned airbags could deploy inadvertently or fail to deploy in accident
Airbag fails to deploy in crash conditions
Airbag system fails to deploy during vehicle collisions when deployment would be expected. Reported in multiple crash scenarios including rollover at high speed and head-on crashes at moderate speeds.
When: At crash impact (documented mileages 26,000; speed-dependent incidents; one rollover with unknown mileage)
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during head-on crash at 30 mph; No deployment during high-speed rear-end with rollover; No deployment when vehicle accelerated uncontrollably and hit snow bank at 45 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not repaired; police reports filed
Inadvertent airbag deployment during normal operation
Driver-side curtain airbag deployed without warning while vehicle was stationary in park position with passenger simply entering vehicle and closing the door. Occupant sustained head and neck injuries requiring medical attention.
When: While stationary in park; mileage approximately 110,000
Symptoms owners cite: Curtain airbag deployed with no crash or impact; Deployment occurred as passenger entered and closed door
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired; towed to residence
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no follow-up documented
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 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 airbags problem on the 2006 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 43,500 and 83,000 miles, with the median around 63,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,500; a quarter make it past 83,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2006/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.