HORIZONTAL EXTERIOR CHROME DOOR TRIMS LOOSE AT THE ENDS AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND HAVE WORSENED. TOOK CAR IN TO GM REPAIR FACILITY (DEALER) 3 TIMES WHO REPLACED THEM, BUT CONDITION ALWAYS RETURNED. WAS TOLD THAT IF I BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN FOR REPLACEMENT, IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. CANNOT HAVE CAR WASHED BY A FACILITY THAT USES ROTATING BRUSHES SINCE THE BRUSHES WOULD PROBABLY TEAR OFF THE DOOR TRIMS AND …
2008 Buick Lucerne body problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$1,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
INSIDE CENTER PILLAR (COLUMN BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR) TRIMS HAD GAPS WHERE TRIMS DIDN'T COVER THE OPENING. TOOK CAR TO A GM REPAIR FACILITY (DEALER) 4 TIMES. THEY INSTALLED CLIPS BUT STILL THERE IS A GAP ON ONE. *TR
OUTSIDE DRIVER'S CHROME DOOR HANDLE PULLS OFF WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. TOOK IT TO A GM REPAIR FACILITY (DEALER) WHO REPLACED IT, BUT SAME PROBLEM RETURNED WITH THE NEW HANDLE. WAS TOLD BY AN EMPLOYEE AT A GM DEALER THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHROME DOOR HANDLE. HAZARD: IF A THIEF PULLS ON THE HANDLE WHILE CAR IS IN A PARKING LOT, OR WHEN CAR IS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE HANDLE…
SOMETIME BETWEEN 1998 AND 2008 THE BUICK LINE, AND ALMOST ALL OTHER LINES, ENLARGED THE SIZE OF THE COLUMNS SUPPORTING THE ROOF, MODIFIED THE FRONT SIDE WINDOWS TO ADD A SMALL TRIANGLE OF MATERIAL AT THE FRONT OF THE WINDOWS, AND RAISED THE HEIGHT OF THE SIDE MIRRORS AND RAISED THE HEIGHT OF THE "DASH" ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I AM IN EXCESS OF 6 FT TALL AND THIS HAD LITTLE IMPACT ON MY FIE…
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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