This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Buick LaCrosse airbags problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
3crashes
2injuries
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
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 ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a pervasive intermittent airbag warning light that comes on and off randomly while driving, parked, or on inclines—regardless of whether the passenger seat is occupied. Dealers clear diagnostic codes temporarily, but the light returns. Multiple owners quote $1,200–$2,500 for sensor replacement under the seat without any guarantee the fix will hold; GM initially covered diagnostics in one case but identified a faulty Personal Body Module (~$1,300).
A separate problem affects lighter-weight passengers: the airbag sensory light fails to illuminate when a passenger weighs less than about 100 pounds (one owner reported 98 pounds; another's wife using a medical support cushion). Seat sensors and frontal airbag sensors were replaced without success. GM stated there is no weight standard and later claimed nothing could be done.
One owner reported metal fragments from deployed airbags causing puncture wounds after a low-speed collision, suggesting a defect in airbag construction. A recall (#07003) for side/curtain airbag non-deployment exists but was bungled—dealers refused to complete it because they incorrectly claimed the vehicle lacked side airbags. Parts availability is also an issue: GM had no driver-side curtain airbags in stock or production pipeline for a four-year-old vehicle needing repair.
Same Buick LaCrosse airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent airbag warning light (passenger side)
The airbag indicator light flashes or stays on intermittently, occurring while driving, parked, or in motion on inclines. Owners report the light cycles on and off regardless of seat occupancy, suggesting an electrical or sensor malfunction rather than an actual safety issue. Multiple dealers cleared codes temporarily without resolving the underlying problem.
When: Throughout vehicle operation; some instances noted at 45,544 miles and 77,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light comes on intermittently; Light cycles on and off without clear trigger; Light persists whether passenger seat is occupied or vacant; Occurs while driving, parked, or on inclines; Diagnostic code B0092 reported in at least one case
Codes mentioned: B0092
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quoted $1,200–$2,500 for sensor replacement under the passenger seat without guarantee of resolution. GM paid for diagnostics in one case (Personal Body Module replacement ~$1,300). Multiple attempts to clear codes failed to prevent recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #07003 mentioned for side/curtain airbag non-deployment; however, dealership confusion about vehicle configuration prevented proper repair. Dealers advised owners to monitor the light and return if it reappeared. GM stated in one case that the vehicle was 'too old and had too many miles' to warrant repair.
Passenger airbag sensor fails to detect light-weight occupants
The airbag sensory light does not illuminate when a lighter-weight passenger (98 pounds reported) occupies the front passenger seat. Frontal airbag sensors were replaced but continued to fail detection for lighter passengers. The light illuminates normally when heavier passengers are seated, indicating a weight threshold or calibration problem.
When: At low mileage (871 miles at time of initial report); also reported when vehicle used with passenger needing seat cushion due to medical condition
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light fails to illuminate when lighter-weight passenger sits in seat; Light illuminates normally when heavier passengers sit in seat; Appears to be weight-dependent malfunction; Occurs with passengers using medical support cushions
Repairs/costs cited: Frontal airbag sensors were replaced without resolving the problem. Seat sensor replacement performed at Palm Auto Mall Buick in 2010 also failed to fix the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM stated there is no weight standard for airbag deployment or light illumination. GM later stated in 2012 there was nothing they could do to remedy the problem.
Airbag module electrical faults and replacement cycles
The airbag module itself fails intermittently, triggering warning lights. In one case, the module was replaced twice at a dealer, but the failure recurred after each replacement, suggesting either a deeper electrical problem or defective replacement parts.
When: Unknown mileage; failure recurred multiple times after replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator light flashes on and off intermittently; Failure recurs after module replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag module replaced twice by Van Buren Buick GMC. The failure recurred each time. Final repair was completed at owner's expense after GM declined further warranty support.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle was 'too old and had too many miles' to warrant repair after second replacement failure.
Airbag inflation defect producing metal fragments
Following a low-speed collision (3 mph), airbags deployed and produced puncture wounds believed to be metal fragments from the airbag assembly. This represents a potential safety defect in airbag construction or inflation mechanism that can injure occupants upon deployment.
When: At approximately 70,000 miles during a collision event
Symptoms owners cite: Puncture wounds present after airbag deployment; Metal fragments embedded from airbag assembly; Occurred during low-speed (3 mph) collision
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was destroyed; no repair attempted. Injury assessment not detailed in narrative.
Recall repair incomplete due to dealer misidentification of vehicle configuration
A dealership incorrectly refused to complete recall #07003 (side/curtain airbag non-deployment) because they claimed the vehicle did not have side airbags, despite the owner demonstrating that it did. A second dealer was unable to understand how to perform the recall repair. The vehicle was never properly serviced for the recall.
When: At 3,850 miles (failure mileage reported as 3,730)
Symptoms owners cite: Side/curtain airbags may not deploy in side-impact collision; Recall repair not completed due to dealer error
Repairs/costs cited: Repair order stated only partial repair completed. Second dealer could not understand repair procedure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #07003; GM case #71-506543527 opened. Manufacturer promised to contact dealer but situation was not resolved. Owner advised to take vehicle to another dealer.
Driver-side curtain airbag parts unavailable
A repair facility was unable to complete repairs on a 2007 Lacrosse because GM did not have driver-side curtain airbag assemblies in stock and had none scheduled for production. The part was unavailable nationally for weeks, leaving the vehicle without critical safety equipment.
When: Four years after vehicle manufacture
Symptoms owners cite: Missing or damaged driver-side curtain airbag; No replacement parts available from manufacturer
Repairs/costs cited: Repair could not be completed; facility waiting several weeks for part that was not available nationally.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Buick lacrosse. While driving at various speeds, the air bag indicator flashed on and off on the front passenger side. The vehicle was taken to van buren Buick GMC (866-223-5291, located at 2257 jericho turnpike, garden city park, ny 11040) where the air bag module was replaced. The failure recurred and the part was replaced again by the same dealer. The failure…
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 26,182 and 68,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,182; a quarter make it past 68,000. 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/2007/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.