2006 Buick lacrosse safety recall for key ring. *mw the consumer stated after she returned home from having the recall performed, she discovered one of the keys did not work. *jb the consumer stated the headlights went out twice, while driving. She received a recall notice regarding the headlights. However, she was informed the parts were not available. Also, the dash lights were inoperative.…
2006 Buick LaCrosse electrical problems
severe 79 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
79
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
5crashes
5fires
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 79 electrical complaints filed for the 2006 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 13 model years of Buick LaCrosse we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 79.
Owners have filed 79 electrical 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2006 Buick LaCrosse has pervasive electrical gremlins causing intermittent headlight failures (fire hazard), brake system false faults (can reduce braking power mid-drive), engine stalls without warning, and airbag deployment failures in crashes. Multiple owners report being denied warranty coverage and waiting months for recall parts. This is a safety liability vehicle with unresolved systemic electrical issues.
Owners consistently describe an electrically unstable vehicle with cascading failures that dealerships struggle to diagnose or repair. Low-beam headlight wiring overheats and melts, creating visible smoke and fire risk; headlight modules fail and recur even after replacement. A fuse box caught fire and melted while driving. Engine stalls without warning at highway speeds—one driver lost power steering and brakes mid-drive, another crashed after stalling.
Dashboard and instrument panel lights flicker or go dark unpredictably, making gauges invisible. Brake system fault warnings trigger intermittently, sometimes causing the brake pedal to pulse and lose stopping power when you're already braking—multiple owners report near-accidents. Airbag sensors malfunction, failing to deploy in actual crashes or illuminating warnings randomly. Door locks won't unlock, trapping occupants; one owner had to crawl out the passenger side. Check Engine lights stay on due to codes that persist even after part replacement.
Dealers repeatedly refuse to diagnose under warranty or acknowledge these as known issues, telling owners faults must be diagnosed out-of-pocket. Even when recall notices arrived (14V355000 for electrical, 14V755000 for lighting), parts remained unavailable for months, leaving owners driving unsafe vehicles. The electrical system appears to have fundamental design or manufacturing flaws that manifest across multiple vehicle systems simultaneously.
Same Buick LaCrosse electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Secondary Air Injection (P2440) Fault Light & Remote Starter Disable
Check Engine Light (SES) illuminates due to diagnostic code P2440 (secondary air injection valve stuck open). Dealership replacement of valve and/or air pump provides only temporary relief; fault code and light return within weeks. New OEM valve installed by owner also fails to clear code. When light is on, remote vehicle starter becomes inoperative.
When: Years of recurrence; light on continuously for extended periods
Symptoms owners cite: SES light on constantly; Remote starter won't work when light is on; P2440 code repeats after repair
Codes mentioned: P2440
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced valve and air pump under warranty; owner later purchased and installed new valve—neither resolved fault code
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused warranty work on repeat failure, citing parts barely covered first time
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor Malfunction
Passenger front seat airbag sensor operates erratically, registering presence inconsistently regardless of occupant weight or environmental conditions. Sometimes fails to detect a 160 lb adult, treating them as a child and disabling airbag. Intermittently illuminates airbag warning light on dash while airbag system shows as off. Dealership 'fix' was temporary; problem recurred shortly after.
When: Years of intermittent operation; unrelated to temperature or season
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag not activating for adult passenger; Airbag warning light illuminates unexpectedly; Inconsistent sensor detection independent of occupant
Codes mentioned: B00921
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership lubed seat connector and cleared DTC; noted possible PPS module needed if light returns. Light did return.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership initially covered under warranty, then refused out-of-warranty service
Electrical Gremlins: Brake System & ABS False Faults
Vehicle exhibits intermittent electrical faults causing spurious 'Service Brake System' and 'Traction Control Off' warnings on dash. Faults triggered by vehicle motion, bumps, rain, or wet roads with no predictable pattern—can occur once per outing or five times in 20 seconds. When brakes are applied during fault event, brake pedal pulses and feels spongy, reducing stopping power and creating accident hazard. ABS warning light may remain illuminated after event. Owners report near-accidents from compromised braking during faults.
When: Intermittent, unpredictable; can happen during rain/wet conditions or after bumps; mileage around 48,000+
Symptoms owners cite: 'Service Brake System' message with chime; 'Traction Control Off' message; Brake pedal pulsing and sinking when fault occurs; Reduced braking capability during fault; ABS light stays on after fault; Dash lights flicker during event
Codes mentioned: ABS-related
Repairs/costs cited: Certified mechanic diagnosed hub needing replacement; repair performed but failure recurred. No second repair completed.
Power Door Lock & Actuator Failure
Automatic door locks malfunction across all doors. Locks engage when shifting to Drive but refuse to unlock when shifting to Park or when unlock button is pressed. Manual door release also fails on driver and rear driver doors, trapping occupants inside vehicle. Corroded cable on driver side was replaced, but same failure later appeared on rear driver side. Temporary workaround: pounding interior door panel in specific spot may release mechanism. Owner reports being trapped inside vehicle multiple times and having to escape through passenger side.
When: Multiple instances over vehicle ownership; rear driver door failure after front cable replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic locks won't unlock in Park or via button; Manual door release inoperative—doors won't open from inside or outside; Doors intermittently work after physical impact to panel; Corrosion on door cables
Repairs/costs cited: Driver side door lock cable replaced for $300 dealer cost; rear side door cable replacement needed but owner declined due to expense. Door actuator replacement at $300 cited.
Headlight Wiring Fire Hazard & Low-Beam Failure
Headlight wiring overheats and melts, with visible smoke from headlight assembly. No aftermarket bulbs or wiring installed. Melted wire insulation causes wires to short and touch, creating fire hazard. Low-beam headlights fail intermittently or completely; high beams remain functional. Some vehicles show relay catching fire. Fuse box under hood also melts in related incidents. Failures occur across broad mileage range (16k to 114k+ miles). Owners note this is a safety hazard preventing visibility and risk of fire while driving at night.
When: Intermittent then permanent failure; mileage varies 16k–114k; some early as 48k
Symptoms owners cite: Low-beam headlights fail intermittently or completely; High beams remain operational; Visible smoke from headlight assembly or fuse box; Melted fuse box and wiring harness; Relay switch catches fire; Headlights dim when turn signals engaged
Repairs/costs cited: Headlamp driver module replaced (multiple times in some cases with recurrence); fuse box and wiring harness replacement required. Owner paid $300–350 for module replacement. Melted fuse box required full replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM recall 14V755000 (Exterior Lighting) issued, but parts were unavailable for extended periods, leaving owners without remedy. Owner states manufacturer gave runaround with irrelevant diagnostic questions.
Instrument Panel Lights Intermittent Failure
Instrument panel illumination fails intermittently, making dashboard gauges and warning lights invisible to driver. Failure occurs most often on cold start but can happen while driving. Lights may remain off 5 minutes to an hour before coming back on. Pattern is unpredictable and makes it impossible for dealer to diagnose since lights return to normal before arriving. Multiple owners report same issue across model year.
When: Intermittent, roughly 2 times per month; primarily on cold start
Symptoms owners cite: Dash lights fail to illuminate on startup or while driving; Speedometer and instrument panel invisible during failure; Lights eventually return without driver action
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer refuses to diagnose, claims lights are supposed to work this way
Ignition Switch/Key Stuck or Won't Turn
Ignition key becomes stuck in ignition or is very difficult to turn from Off to On position. Problem occurs intermittently over years. In at least one case, key was unable to turn and engine would not start, triggering security warning light. Related to broader ignition system electrical faults.
When: Intermittent over years; one instance at 80k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key difficult or impossible to turn in ignition; Security warning light illuminates; Engine fails to start; Remote door unlock also fails in same event
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V355000 (Electrical System) issued post-failure
Airbag Non-Deployment in Crashes
Airbags fail to deploy in significant vehicle crashes despite impact warranting deployment. One documented case: driver struck utility pole at 60 mph, front and side curtain airbags did not deploy, resulting in severe traumatic brain injury, coma, and long-term disability. Another: 65 mph rear-end collision into vehicle did not trigger airbag deployment. Related to ignition switch failure (key can turn off ignition during crash) or electrical system faults that cut power to airbag system during impact.
When: At time of crash; one incident 2/16/19; another at ~80k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags fail to deploy in serious crashes; Vehicle loses power during crash (ignition shutdown); Occupant sustains severe injuries without airbag protection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V355000 (Electrical System) issued; manufacturer stated crash location would not warrant airbag deployment in one case (disputed by complainant)
Engine Stall Without Warning
Engine stalls unexpectedly while driving at various speeds with no warning. Vehicle can usually be restarted. One owner stalled while going 45 mph on four-lane highway and lost power steering and power brakes; another stalled in reverse on downhill grade and crashed into pole; another stalled at 35 mph and crashed into exit barrier causing back and neck injury to driver. Dealer diagnosis of computer reprogramming provides only temporary fix; stall recurs. One case required moving connections at starting module to restore function.
When: Multiple incidents at various speeds; one at 43k, one at 77k, one at 120k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving without warning; Vehicle restarts normally after stall; Loss of power steering and power brakes during stall; Engine stops completely mid-drive
Repairs/costs cited: Computer brain reprogrammed by dealer; failure recurred. Starting module connectors reseated in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V355000 (Electrical System) mentioned in one case
Brake Pedal Hard/Spongy With Reduced Braking
Brake pedal becomes stiff or spongy with delayed or reduced stopping capability. In one case, while driving 45 mph brake pedal depressed but became stiff with delay in stopping distance; ABS, Traction Control, and Brake warning lights illuminated. Related to broader electrical gremlins affecting brake system.
When: At 150k miles in one documented case; linked to intermittent electrical faults
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal stiff or spongy; Delayed or reduced stopping distance; ABS and brake warning lights illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic could not determine cause; vehicle not repaired
Fuse Box Fire & Windshield Wiper Malfunction
Fuse box caught fire and melted while windshield wipers activated on their own during driving. Operator smelled smoke, pulled over, found smoke coming from under-hood fuse box. Battery disconnection did not stop smoke. Fuse box partially melted with visible damage. Wipers extended over windshield and would not function. Fuse box and wiring harness required replacement.
When: While driving; no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from fuse box under hood; Fuse box partially melted; Windshield wipers activate without driver input; Wipers extended over windshield and inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse box and wiring harness replaced
Headlight Module & Relay Failures
Headlamp driver modules fail, requiring replacement. In some cases, replacement provides only temporary fix and failure recurs. Relay switches also fail, particularly in fog light circuit. Low beams and all exterior lighting (low beam, high beam, day time running lamps, emergency/hazard lights) fail intermittently across different vehicles.
When: Intermittent failures; mileage ranges 63k–106k
Symptoms owners cite: Low-beam headlights fail intermittently or permanently; All exterior lights fail intermittently; Module replacement provides temporary relief only
Repairs/costs cited: Headlamp driver module replaced multiple times; relay switch replaced in some cases. Parts cost varies; $300+ for module at dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V755000 (Exterior Lighting) issued; parts unavailable for extended periods
Synthesized from 79 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Buick lacrosse. The contact stated that the key was getting stuck in the ignition and was difficult to turn. In addition, the low beam headlights failed to function properly. The dealer (coggin Buick GMC in jacksonville, 7245 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244, (904) 638-1115) was notified. The dealer did not provide a specific remedy to diagnose the vehicle other…
Low beam headlights on both sides stopped functioning. High beams still work. Verified that bulbs and/or fuses were not the problem. Same issue as NHTSA recall 15v519000 gm recall 14291. Contacted gm who claimed my particular car was not included in recall. As mentioned in previous comments, that makes no sense. If its the same problem as other recalled cars had why isn't my car also recalled? In…
2006 Buick lacrosse regard gm safety recall. *mw the dealer informed the consumer, the parts were not available. Recall 3 14v355000. *jb
Driving at 45mph, smelled smoke from what appeared to be an electrical fire. Approximately 1/2 mile driving time, the engine and all power cut off. Got someone to help push the car off road when another person notice there was a fire coming from underneath the engine. Fire department was dispatched but engine was completely engulfed by the time they got there to put out the fire. Police and fire…
2006 Buick lacrosse. The consumer stated the recall letter was dated august 2014. However, she received the letter on october 7, 2014. *ta
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2006 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 79 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 55,000 and 116,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 116,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.