This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Tire Radial Force Variation (RFV).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Buick Lucerne wheels problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $400 · see wheels across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
When does it fail?
Of the 11 wheels complaints filed for the 2007 Buick Lucerne, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA wheels complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 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 wheels 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 service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Vibration Shortly After Tires are Mounted/Preventing Vibration from Wheel Slip (Tire Sliding on Wheel).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe aluminum chrome wheels that peel, flake, and corrode, predominantly on the interior bead sealing surface where the tire meets the rim. The corrosion breaks the seal, causing tires to lose pressure slowly—some owners report 10 psi per day, others refill daily. Several replaced tires altogether and found the problem recurred, confirming the rim as the culprit.
Tire shops repeatedly applied temporary fixes—bead sealer and corrosion grinding—without long-term success. The permanent fix is rim replacement at $300–$480 per wheel. One owner reported GM assigned a complaint file number and offered cost-sharing for refurbished replacements, but the dealership never followed through. When another owner refused to accept the same defective design, GM declined further support.
Owners note these same wheels were recalled on Cadillac models but no recall exists for the Lucerne. Multiple owners report finding similar complaints online across the GM lineup. One owner also reported sharp chrome fragments cutting skin during cleaning, adding a physical safety concern beyond the tire pressure issue.
Same Buick Lucerne wheels reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Chrome plating deterioration and air leaks
Chrome coating on aluminum wheels peels, flakes, and corrodes, particularly on the interior bead sealing surface. This degradation prevents a proper seal between the tire and rim, causing slow air pressure loss.
When: Typically 3–7 years after purchase; one owner reported failure at 37,415 miles; another at 85,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure warning lights; Tires losing 10 psi per day to requiring daily air refill; Repeated flat tires despite new tire installation; Chrome visibly peeling or flaking on wheel surface and interior; Heavy corrosion visible on rim interior; Tire technicians discovering corrosion when diagnosing slow leaks
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report tire shops applying bead sealer as temporary fix; one dealership ground out corrosion; permanent fix requires rim replacement at $300–$480 per wheel depending on refurbished vs. new OEM; one owner reported similar wheels replaced at no charge on Cadillac models
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM assigned file number 71-1235298454 for one owner; dealership offered cost-sharing for replacement with same rim design; GM declined further assistance when owner refused identical replacement rims; no recall issued despite owner reports of widespread issue across GM vehicle lineup
Chrome flaking safety hazard
Sharp chrome fragments break free from deteriorating wheels, creating cutting hazard during vehicle cleaning and maintenance.
When: Concurrent with chrome plating failure
Symptoms owners cite: Sharp chrome flakes cutting skin during wheel cleaning; Chrome debris visible on wheel surface
Repairs/costs cited: None documented
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Have had repeated issues w/dash warning light saying right front tire pressure low. Just came from tire shop. They told me them chrome is peeling on the inside of the rim causing a poor seal at the bead. From what I am seeing on different sites, this is not an single isolated incident. Tire shop also said wheels similar to mine were recalled on Cadillac models. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Buick lucerne. While parked, he noticed the "check right front tire" warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. After inserting air into the tire the warning indicator turned off. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop on two separate occasions for the identical failures. The technician stated the failure was contributed to the aluminum chrome wheels…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Buick lucerne. The contact stated that while driving or parked, the front passenger and rear driver side tires would not maintain air. After air was added to both tires, they would become flat. The contact had to put air in the tires daily. The contact had new tires installed on the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was…
The chrome plated wheels become corroded and leak air around the bead of the tire. I have had all four tires remounted and sealed several times. Now it looks like I will have to buy new wheels gm dealer won't replace them having to pay for new wheels. The front passenger wheel now leaks about 10 lbs of air a day, which in my opinion is a safety factor not to mention that it is now winter and is a…
Had wheels trouble with your 2007 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 wheels problem on the 2007 Buick Lucerne?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 50,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 59,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $400 for wheels 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 wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels 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/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.