The vehicle start making a funny noise and it kept getting louder and louder, then all of a sudden it cuts off. I was able to restart the vehicle after I sat for a while but it is still making a funny noise. I have been told by a mechanic today that it is the power steering. That will have to be fixed. I am sure that it will cost a lot of money. *tr
2008 Buick LaCrosse steering problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 14 steering complaints filed for the 2008 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Owners of 2008 Buick LaCrosse report serious steering and ignition failures that disable brakes and power steering while driving, creating life-threatening crashes and entrapment hazards. Expect potential ignition coil replacement costs around $700–$933, recurring power steering issues, and door lock entrapment problems with no recall protection.
The 2008 Buick LaCrosse has generated complaints about multiple steering and ignition system failures that create serious safety hazards. The ignition coil and module assembly fails abruptly during driving, causing the engine to shut off at highway speeds (65 mph) and city speeds alike. When this happens, power steering and brakes go inoperative, leaving drivers unable to steer off the road or brake to safety. One owner lost brakes and steering on a downhill road, rolling 3/4 mile uncontrolled. Another stalled at 65 mph in five o'clock traffic and faced oncoming vehicles for 15 minutes until police closed lanes. Replacement costs ran $700 to $933, and one owner experienced the same failure twice at 136,000 miles.
Power steering failures also occur independently—steering wheels seize or become too stiff to turn, sometimes accompanied by violent front-end shaking that causes loss of control. The rack and pinion has failed repeatedly even after replacement. A service bulletin identifies hose leakage caused by wear, recommending a tie-down strap, but GM has not recalled or warranted the fix.
Door locks have trapped owners inside their vehicles with windows closed and no way to unlock from within—one owner was locked in for over 30 minutes in winter. Buick forums reportedly show hundreds of similar complaints, yet no recall has been issued. The steering column latch also adjusts independently during normal driving.
Same Buick LaCrosse steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition System Failure (Coil/Module)
Engine stalls abruptly during driving due to ignition coil and module assembly failure, causing loss of power and inability to restart. In some cases, power steering and brakes also become inoperative during the stall event.
When: 50,000 to 136,000 miles; one occurred at highway speed (65 mph), another at 40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off suddenly without warning; Loss of engine power while driving; Unable to restart engine immediately; Power steering becomes inoperative during stall; Brakes become inoperative during stall; Engine stalls while making turns
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil and module assembly replaced; one owner paid $933.16 for replacement parts; repeated failure in one case requiring second replacement at $700
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 14V355000 (Electrical System) identified as related to one failure; GM later put dealerships on notice of the problem due to parts supply issues for recalls
Power Steering System Failure
Power steering loss or sudden seizure during driving, with or concurrent with engine stall. Includes hose leakage issues and rack-and-pinion failures. One incident involved violent front-end shaking leading to loss of control.
When: 38,000 to 136,000 miles; incidents at 30 mph (left turn), 45 mph, and various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering becomes inoperative during driving; Steering wheel seizes; Front end shakes violently; Loss of vehicle control due to steering failure; Power steering leaks fluid; Whining noise from power steering system; Steering becomes difficult to turn manually when power lost
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion replaced twice in one case (failure recurred); power steering hose wear and leakage identified in service bulletin; owner noted multiple expensive repairs with recurring problems; intermediate steering shaft replaced in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Service Bulletin ID #10024713 addresses power steering leak; bulletin recommends tie-down strap to prevent hose wear; GM has not recalled or provided extended warranty for this defect; service department confirmed problem occurs with other owners
Door Lock System Failure
Door locks malfunction, trapping occupants inside the vehicle with inability to unlock from inside. Doors cannot be opened from interior even though windows are closed, creating entrapment hazard.
When: Not specified; one incident lasted over 30 minutes in winter conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks malfunction; Unable to unlock doors from inside vehicle; All four doors remain locked despite attempts to open; Key will not turn in ignition; Steering wheel locks up; Unable to escape vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified; case opened with Buick Customer Relations but repair details not provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Buick Customer Relations flagged as safety issue (case #8-4000469674) but stated Buick will only work through dealership; owner reports hundreds of complaints found on Buick forums; no recall issued despite safety concern
Steering Column Latch Failure
Steering column latch adjusts independently during normal driving, occurring on numerous occasions without warning.
When: 38,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering column latch adjusts independently; Failure occurs on numerous occasions
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
There is a NHTSA service bulletin id # 10024713 related to a power steering leak caused by a defective part or design. The bulletin recommends a tie down strap to prevent hose wear and resulting leakage of fluid. Loss of power steering and/or damage to the power steering unit can result from this leak. I believe Buick has been aware of this problem for some time. I question why gm did not…
Had steering trouble with your 2008 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 steering problem on the 2008 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 48,000 and 94,000 miles, with the median around 72,851. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,000; a quarter make it past 94,000. 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 $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.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2008/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.