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moderate Owners of the 2006 Buick LaCrosse have filed 26 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 74,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 LaCrosse | 51 |
| 2006 LaCrosse (this page) | 26 |
| 2007 LaCrosse | 22 |
| 2008 LaCrosse | 14 |
| 2010 LaCrosse | 17 |
Among the 11 model years of Buick LaCrosse in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 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 ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavaila
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a revision for 12-02-32-002 to add the 2013-2014 model years, add noise as a possible condition and add a Note in the Instructions section.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners report a cascade of steering failures on the 2006 LaCrosse. The steering intermediate shaft is the most critical concern—it breaks at low speeds, causing complete steering loss; one vehicle needed three replacements within 19,635 miles of ownership (TSB 01-02-32-001). The power steering pump fails due to a design flaw: a rigid mechanical coupling between the pump and the frame-mounted pressure line cannot absorb engine vibration, causing the coupling to disintegrate at highway speed, resulting in total power steering loss.
Chronic power steering fluid loss is widespread; owners report topping off fluid every other day to weekly, suggesting persistent leaks in the pump, reservoir, or rack-and-pinion. The steering column produces constant grinding, squeaking, or clunking noises—particularly from the intermediate shaft when turning—that mechanics cannot diagnose or repair permanently.
Front-end components wear prematurely: tie rods wear out by 80,000 miles, stabilizer bars stress-fracture at connection points, and wheel bearings deteriorate. Owners report severe shimmy and vibration causing premature tire wear (one owner replaced 16 tires). Steering becomes tight and hard to turn, with some vehicles pulling sharply to the right despite multiple alignments. Dealerships have been unable or unwilling to address these issues, and at least one recall campaign lacked available parts.
Same Buick LaCrosse steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Steering knuckle previously replaced under warranty; noise has returned and worsened over 1-2 years. Indicative of premature wear or defective replacement part.
When: 1-2 years of progressive noise; original failure years prior
Symptoms owners cite: consistent knocking/grinding noise from front end; noise worsens progressively
Repairs/costs cited: Original replacement covered under warranty; recurrent issue requires another replacement
Mechanical coupling between power steering pump and high-pressure line disintegrated while driving at highway speed. Root cause identified as poor design: rigid bolt connection between pump and engine to frame-mounted line with no flexible fitting to absorb vibration. Pump eventually fails entirely.
When: 70 mph highway driving at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: complete power steering loss while driving; loss of steering assist
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanical coupling disintegrated; pump required replacement. Driver module replaced as temporary fix per one update.
Power steering fluid depletes rapidly, requiring frequent top-offs every other day to every week. Suggests internal leak in rack-and-pinion, pump, or hose connections. Owners cannot afford full rack-and-pinion replacement and warranty does not cover the part.
When: Early in ownership; one case at 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: power steering fluid level dropping rapidly; must refill frequently
Repairs/costs cited: Rack-and-pinion replacement suspected but too expensive for owners; power steering reservoir depletion noted at 120k miles
Power steering pump develops a leak, creating a whining or grinding noise when turning. Pump was replaced at dealer but failure recurred, suggesting systemic design flaw rather than isolated defect.
When: 80,000 miles reported; timing unclear if universal
Symptoms owners cite: loud knocking/whining noise while turning; power steering pump leaking; noise recurs after pump replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replaced at dealer; failure recurred within 4 months
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not included in NHTSA Campaign 09E005000 (STEERING)
Steering intermediate shaft broke at low speed, causing complete loss of steering control. Vehicle crashed into curb. Dealer replaced shaft and SIR coil. TSB reference indicates this is a known recurring issue with at least three replacements on one vehicle within 19,635 miles of ownership.
When: 5 mph low-speed driving; one case at 40,500 miles; another vehicle at 7,048 miles, 14,600 miles, and 19,635 miles (three replacements by 2009)
Symptoms owners cite: complete steering lock-up and control loss; steering becomes unresponsive
Repairs/costs cited: Intermediate shaft and SIR coil replaced; vehicle realigned. One customer needed three replacements within 19,635 miles of ownership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA# 618086; Buick TSB #01-02-32-001
Grinding noise from steering shaft when turning, particularly during winter or when attempting turns at low speed. Dealer lubrication provided temporary relief but noise returned within 4 months. Suggests wear in shaft bearing or coupling.
When: Low speed turning; reported at 11,000 miles and recurring within 4 months
Symptoms owners cite: grinding noise when turning; noise progressively worse during single day; noise recurs after lubrication
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer lubricated steering; noise returned within 4 months
Clunking noise from upper intermediate steering shaft while turning steering wheel. Started in first year of ownership as rare winter occurrence, now happens continuously. Multiple owners report same issue online.
When: From first year of ownership; rare in winter, now frequent
Symptoms owners cite: clunk noise from upper intermediate steering shaft when turning; frequency increased over time
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner contacted Buick; response not documented
Squeaking or rubbing noise from steering column when turning steering wheel, described as sounding like tire squeal. Occurs at all speeds and on slightest turn. Worsens over time. Mechanics unable to diagnose root cause.
When: From first year or early ownership; worsens progressively
Symptoms owners cite: squealing or squeaking noise from steering column; rubber rubbing sound; occurs at any speed and on minimal turn; noise worsens over time
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple mechanics unable to diagnose; no repairs documented
Steering column locked at low speed and made abnormal humming sound. Diagnosed as power steering reservoir depletion. Part unavailable, vehicle not repaired.
When: 10 mph low-speed driving; 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: steering column locks; abnormal humming sound from steering; steering becomes immobile
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering reservoir needed replacement but part unavailable
Tie rod and wheel bearing wear causing severe front-end shake and vibration at highway speeds, creating feeling that tire was detaching. First repair shop did not perform replacement as recommended. Second shop confirmed repairs were not done.
When: 50 mph highway driving; 113,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: severe shaking and vibration; feels like front passenger tire detaching; vibration at highway speed
Repairs/costs cited: Tie rod and wheel bearing replacement recommended but not performed by first mechanic
Severe front-end shimmy and vibration causing premature tire wear. Tires replaced 16 times with no improvement. Vibration so severe driver physically shakes while driving. Vehicle floats on curves and flat highways.
When: Progressive over vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: severe shimmy and vibration; premature tire wear; driver shakes while driving; vehicle floats on curves; poor steering control
Repairs/costs cited: 16 tires replaced without resolving underlying issue
Complete tie rod assembly worn out prematurely at only 80,000 miles. Certified mechanic assessment indicates defective parts or design.
When: 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: tie rod assembly worn out
Repairs/costs cited: Complete tie rod assembly replacement needed
Front stabilizer bar stress fractured at connection point to lower control arm. Failure creates front-end noise suggesting broken stabilizer. Related to poor connection design or defective material.
When: Long-term stress failure; 1-2 years of worsening noise
Symptoms owners cite: front-end clunking noise suggesting broken stabilizer; stress fracture visible at connection point
Repairs/costs cited: Stabilizer bar connection fractured at lower control arm attachment
Rack and pinion assembly determined faulty by certified mechanics. Likely root cause of steering noise, poor control, and in some cases fluid loss or tight steering.
When: Variable; one case at 120,446 miles
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal noise from front end while turning; steering problems
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion and motor mounts replaced; repairs performed at independent shop
Vehicle pulls sharply to right despite multiple wheel alignments. Owner and online discussion groups attribute to steering sensor or computer interface issue. Dealerships and Buick response teams unable or unwilling to address.
When: 10+ years of pulling
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle pulls sharply to right; persists despite multiple alignments; risk of lane drifting
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealership contacts and Buick California response team unable or unwilling to provide solution
Power steering assist absent when making left turns while fluid level drops continuously. Suggests internal malfunction in steering system or contaminated fluid.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: no power steering when turning left; power steering fluid level drops continuously
Repairs/costs cited: Fluid must be topped off weekly
Steering becomes tight and hard to turn front wheels, accompanied by whining and grinding noise. Noise sounds like rubbing inside steering column. Multiple mechanics unable to diagnose; issue occurs across range of speeds.
When: Unspecified; occurs 0-60 mph
Symptoms owners cite: steering tight and hard to turn; whining noise when turning; grinding noise; rubbing sound in steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple mechanics unable to identify cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Buick contacted; unable to provide solution
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 74,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering 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.