Car and Truck Fix it Right the First Time Issues
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Buick Lucerne cruise control problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
2crashes
1injury
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe repeated unintended acceleration, most alarming when cruise control is active or being resumed. One driver was doing 70 mph on cruise, braked to pass a slow trailer, then the car took off to 93 mph before responding to repeated brake taps; another hit over 115 mph while passing and nearly lost control. Low-speed incidents also occur—vehicle suddenly accelerates while backing into parking spots or pulling into driveways, lasting only a few seconds but requiring firm brake pressure to stop.
A handful report the opposite problem: the car won't move forward after coming to a stop, even with the accelerator pressed and no stall. One owner had the powertrain control module replaced but the failure came back within a month.
Cruise control also fails to disengage in some cases, especially downhill, leaving the vehicle unable to slow. Dealers consistently inspect vehicles, find no fault, retrieve no diagnostic codes, and sometimes claim the behavior is by design. One owner reports a speedometer visibility problem on the left side at low speeds, rendering cruise control speed readout difficult to see; the dealer replaced the remote sensor with no fix, and the manufacturer said the design cannot be changed.
All these events are unverified owner allegations reported to NHTSA.
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration while cruise control active or resuming
Vehicle suddenly accelerates to high speeds (93 mph, 115+ mph, 90 mph) when cruise control is engaged, being resumed, or after brake application. Owners report brake pedal application has little to no effect, requiring repeated hard brake taps or sustained pressure to regain control. One owner felt a slight something in the gas pedal after an event, though the pedal was not visibly stuck or depressed.
When: Variable mileage; reported from 1,000 to 88,000 miles on same vehicle; incidents span from early ownership through later years
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden, uncontrollable acceleration to 90+ mph; Brake pedal unresponsive or slow to stop vehicle; Vehicle continues accelerating despite brake application; Occurs with or shortly after cruise control use; Unpredictable timing; catches driver off guard
Repairs/costs cited: Buick dealerships inspected multiple vehicles and found no mechanical faults; one owner had powertrain control module replaced, but same acceleration events recurred within a month. Check engine light did not illuminate in cases checked. No diagnostic codes retrieved.
Loss of acceleration or inability to move after stop
Vehicle fails to accelerate when driver presses accelerator pedal after coming to a complete stop. Engine does not stall, but vehicle refuses to move forward. Occurs intermittently. Dealership found no problem and could not duplicate issue; check engine light did not illuminate.
When: Occurred at 1,000 miles on vehicle with 9,500 miles total odometer reading
Symptoms owners cite: No forward motion when accelerator pressed after stop; Engine running but unresponsive to throttle input; Intermittent nature; does not happen every time; No check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership installed vehicle event data recorder and captured four snapshots of the failure. Powertrain control module was replaced; problem resolved for about one month, then recurred.
Cruise control fails to deactivate
Cruise control remains active and does not disengage when expected. Vehicle continues at set speed or continues accelerating downhill without slowing despite driver attempts to disable cruise.
When: Reported at 88,000 miles; one incident during downhill driving
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control will not turn off; Vehicle maintains or increases speed downhill; Driver cannot disengage cruise control manually
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer determined vehicle was designed that way (cruise control behavior on downhill); manufacturer offered no corrective action
Sudden acceleration during low-speed maneuvers
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly while owner is slowly backing into parking spot, parking garage, or drive-thru. Accelerator appears to activate on its own. Brief events lasting 5 seconds or less; requires hard brake application to prevent collision or property damage.
When: Occurred at least 4 times over a 4-year period; one at approximately 23,000 miles; one at low speed with no mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator engages without driver input during parking or low-speed approach; Vehicle lurches forward or backward unexpectedly; Brief duration (few seconds); Floor mats checked and ruled out as cause
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle caused uncontrolled reverse when shifted to drive; dealership could provide no diagnostic codes but blamed engine. No repairs completed in reported cases.
Speedometer visibility issue affecting cruise control operation
Left side of speedometer cannot be seen while driving at 10–50 mph during daytime, making it difficult to monitor speed or verify cruise control function. Dealer replaced remote sensor without resolving issue.
When: Started at 2,700 miles; continued to 5,430 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot on left side of speedometer display; Visibility loss at low to moderate speeds during daylight; Cruise control speed indication not visible
Repairs/costs cited: Remote sensor replaced by dealer; problem persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle was designed that way and nothing could be done
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2006 Buick Lucerne?
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 cruise control problem on the 2006 Buick Lucerne?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 6,400 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 6,400; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/Lucerne.
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.