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 ↗2006 Buick Lucerne suspension problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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 preliminary information bulletin provides a procedure for suspension connector diagnosis and replacement due to the magnetically controlled suspension electrical connector not seated.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Information Regarding the Differences Between Fluid Leakage and Seepage This bulletin is intended to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak and what is considered seepage. Improper diagnosis may lead to unnecessary component replacement. Use the following information to determine if the condition is normal acceptable seepage or a defective component
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Front strut failures dominate this cluster. Owners describe struts rusting through at mounting flanges on garage-kept vehicles with minimal surface corrosion elsewhere—one strut collapsed while driving, causing the car to veer into oncoming traffic and destroy a new Michelin tire. Magnetic ride suspension models show coil spring support plate failure. A second owner had the driver-side strut fail, then the passenger side failed six months later. Strut replacement costs range $250–$899 depending on whether magnetic ride is equipped.
Premature tire wear is documented at roughly 20,000 miles on Continental ContiProContact tires. Front tires go bald, rears wear excessively, well before normal service life. One owner reports wheel wobble on grooved highway pavement at 65 mph, forcing the car to weave.
Chronic pulling to the right at 20+ mph affects multiple vehicles. Dealers have aligned the vehicle multiple times, replaced tires, rebuilt steering racks, and even installed shims—none fixed it. One vehicle's StabiliTrac warning light flickered, then traction control activated, triggering involuntary braking at 50 mph. A GM-certified technician's diagnostic scan found no fault codes.
A lower control arm broke at 20 mph, collapsing the suspension. GM has declined warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles.
Failure modes owners describe
Strut Housing/Mounting Flange Rust-Through and Collapse
Front struts rust through at mounting flanges, causing the strut housing to fail and the front suspension to collapse. On magnetic ride suspension models, the coil spring support plate can fail, allowing the strut housing to contact the tire. Owners report localized rust despite garage storage with little surface corrosion elsewhere on the vehicle.
When: Premature failure on out-of-warranty vehicles; one owner reports failure on a new 2006 Lucerne; another strut failure occurred 6 months prior to a second failure on the same vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking sound from front suspension; Front suspension collapse; Tire tread worn below minimum safety specifications; Loss of vehicle control and veering into oncoming traffic; Tire destruction from strut contact
Repairs/costs cited: Strut assembly replacement required. Owners report shim insertion (5 mm thick) attempted on some vehicles; replacement costs cited as $250–$899 depending on part (magnetic ride struts).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: General Motors refused warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicle. Manufacturer stated no assistance could be provided until further wear occurred on tire-wear complaint.
Excessive Tire Wear
Tires wear excessively and prematurely, with front tires becoming extremely bald and rear tires extremely worn. Complaint documents tire failure at approximately 19,940 miles on Continental ContiProContact tires (size 235/55/17), well below normal tire life expectancy.
When: Approximately 19,940 miles; vehicle mileage 46,200 at complaint submission.
Symptoms owners cite: Front tires extremely bald; Rear tires extremely worn; Excessive tire wear unrelated to normal driving conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Tires were not replaced; no cost cited by consumer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no assistance could be provided until further wear occurred.
Front-End Vibration and Wobble
Front suspension produces vibration during normal driving; on grooved pavement, front wheels wobble severely, forcing the vehicle to weave and making steering difficult to control. One new vehicle exhibited front-end vibration immediately after delivery.
When: New vehicle delivery; grooved pavement at highway speeds (65 mph); vibration reports at speeds 20+ mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Front-end vibration; Front wheel wobble on grooved pavement; Vehicle weave and loss of control on textured road surfaces; Difficulty holding steering wheel steady; Steering feels sluggish; Vibration at speeds over 40 mph
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports wheel alignment performed at dealer resolved vibration; dealer referenced Service Bulletin NR. 000310007G. Another owner reports dealer rotated tires and performed multiple wheel alignments without resolving the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer claimed all Lucernes exhibit this vibration and recommended 500-mile break-in period; later performed wheel alignment to correct it.
Vehicle Pulls to the Right
Vehicle continuously pulls to the right at speeds 20 mph or higher, without warning. Problem persists across multiple repair attempts including alignment, tire replacement, and steering rack work. One owner reports installing a 5 mm shim without resolving the issue.
When: During normal driving at 20+ mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous pulling to right at 20+ mph; Pulls to right while accelerating at various speeds; Problem unpredictable and recurring
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed multiple wheel alignments (4 documented), rotated tires, replaced tires, rebuilt steering rack and pinion, and installed 5 mm shim. Despite repairs, problem persisted and cause could not be determined.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer alerted but no specific response or recall documented.
Lower Control Arm Breakage
Passenger side front lower control arm breaks during low-speed driving, causing complete suspension collapse and loss of steering control. Vehicle forced to side of road, striking mailbox and tree.
When: At 20 mph during normal driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden suspension collapse; Loss of steering control; Vehicle pushed to side of road
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided by owner.
StabiliTrac and Traction Control Malfunction
StabiliTrac warning light illuminates and extinguishes intermittently over weeks. Traction control light activates, and vehicle begins applying brakes involuntarily at 50 mph with loud audible noise. Diagnostic scan by GM-certified technician reveals no fault codes or components requiring replacement despite symptoms.
When: Initial warning light followed by traction control activation approximately one month later.
Symptoms owners cite: StabiliTrac warning light intermittent; Traction control light activation; Involuntary braking at 50 mph; Loud brake-pressing noise audible at wheel hubs; Vehicle shaking and vibration during braking
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed; owner parked vehicle and drove alternative vehicle instead.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM-certified technician diagnostic scan showed no fault codes or parts needing replacement.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2006 Buick Lucerne?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 10,800 and 75,350 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,800; a quarter make it past 75,350. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.