This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Buick Lucerne engine problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 16 engine complaints filed for the 2008 Buick Lucerne, 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
Among the 6 model years of Buick Lucerne in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 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 engine 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 bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a persistent stalling problem across this generation—the engine quits abruptly, often at low speed or in traffic, with zero warning. Power steering and power brakes go dead when it happens, a serious safety issue. Many report no check engine light, which leaves mechanics confused; several owners took their cars to dealers multiple times (one owner four visits over six months) and got nowhere. One owner even provided video footage to a service manager—the car killed itself again during the appointment.
The stalling appears to stem from different root causes in different cars. Some owners found burnt or melted fuel pump relays after research, either replacing the part themselves or having independent shops do it. One car needed a TCM, another a coil pack, another an ignition control module—but repairs didn't stick; the stalling resumed. A dealership service manager actually told one owner to have the car totaled by insurance because they couldn't diagnose it without catching it in the act.
Motor mounts fail early and reliably—between 40k and 93k miles—causing thumping noise when accelerating or stopped at a light. That's a smaller headache compared to the stalling.
One Lucerne developed a coolant leak at the timing belt cover and overheated on the highway. Another suffered complete engine failure at 130k miles with smoke and all warning lights. Both cases left owners with repair bills or loss of the vehicle entirely.
Same Buick Lucerne engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling with no warning / no restart
Engine shuts down without warning during normal driving at various speeds and will not restart; power steering and brakes also lose function, creating a serious safety hazard. Multiple dealers and independent shops unable to diagnose root cause.
When: Various mileages from 5,000 to 211,000 miles; one owner reported failure 3 days after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stops abruptly with no warning lights; Vehicle unable to restart; Power steering lost when engine shuts off; Power brakes lost when engine shuts off; No check engine light on in some cases; Restarts after cooling down, then fails again after driving
Repairs/costs cited: Various parts attempted without resolution: fuel pump relay replacement, TCM replacement, coil pack replacement, ignition control module replacement. One owner replaced fuel pump relay themselves ($211k miles). Multiple visits to dealership over 6 months (at least 4 visits) with no permanent fix.
Burnt fuel pump relay
Fuel pump relay melts and burns internally, causing loss of motive power and stalling. Part failure observed under rear seat in fuse box with no preceding warning signs or visible fire.
When: 138,500 and 211,000 miles reported; one owner at 81,000 miles found burnt relay after online research
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving; Stalling without warning; Failure to start; Low oil pressure warning light and 'Add Engine Oil' message (in one case, indicating misdiagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump relay replacement; one owner self-repaired at 211k miles. Another shop initially misdiagnosed as clogged catalytic converter before correct diagnosis.
Motor mount failure
Passenger-side motor mount becomes inoperable or allows excessive engine movement, causing thumping noise and jerking response to throttle input.
When: 40,000 to 93,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Thumping noise from front of vehicle; Jerking with abnormal thud when accelerator pedal depressed; Noise occurs when stopped at traffic light and accelerating
Repairs/costs cited: Motor mount replacement performed by independent mechanics. One owner discovered failure during routine maintenance and did not have it repaired.
Engine coolant leak at timing belt cover
Coolant leaks from the engine timing belt cover, causing engine overheating during driving.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: High temperature warning on temperature gauge; Had to pull over on busy roadway
Repairs/costs cited: Repair performed at service center; owner provided invoice documentation
Catastrophic engine failure
Complete engine failure while driving at highway speed with warning lights and smoke; vehicle not repaired.
When: 130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights illuminated; Loud noise from engine; Smoke from engine; Loss of motive power
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as engine failure at dealer; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified
Loud abnormal noise followed by stall
Engine produces loud abnormal noise and then stalls at low speed; vehicle restarts but cannot be driven.
When: 57,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud abnormal noise from engine; Stalling at approximately 10 MPH; Vehicle able to restart but undrivable after failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified
Synthesized from 16 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 2008 Buick lucerne. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle made a loud abnormal noise and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart but the contact was unable to drive. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Had engine trouble with your 2008 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 engine problem on the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 41,000 and 93,000 miles, with the median around 57,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 41,000; a quarter make it past 93,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/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.