This service bulletin provides information on the cold start control system in DI engines to reduce cold start emissions and improve fuel economy.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Buick Lucerne fuel system problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
3fires
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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 information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Licensed Brands and the TOP TIER Diesel Fuel Licensed Brands that are recommended for use in all GM vehicles and the TOP TIER FUELS website URL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides the technician with additional information on fuels, fuel additives and fuel management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The core failure is a burnt-out fuel pump relay in the under-seat fuse block that starves the engine of fuel without warning. Owners describe stalling mid-drive, smelling melted plastic, and finding a charred relay when towed to the dealer. The real problem isn't the fuel pump itself—it's the fuse block sending low voltage to a perfectly good pump, or the relay connection developing excessive resistance and burning out.
When one component fails, repeating the repair doesn't stick. Owners report the failure recurring days after replacing just the relay, forcing a full fuse block replacement. That's where costs climb: fuel pump, relay, and fuse block can run over $1,600. Mechanics note the fuse blocks are scarce, with units on national backorder and 6-month wait times reported in 2013.
GM was notified of these failures repeatedly across the complaint cluster. Some in-warranty owners got repairs covered under "special coverage"; out-of-warranty owners were denied. Owners note they found a GM Technical Service Bulletin online addressing the relay replacement, yet no recall was issued. Multiple complaints explicitly cite this as a "known and common problem" with the 2008 Lucerne.
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel pump relay overheating and burning out
The fuel pump relay in the under-seat fuse block overheats, melts, and burns, typically due to high resistance in the relay connection. The relay failure cuts off fuel supply to the engine.
When: Across mileage range: 13,600 miles to 143,000 miles; most common in first 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving; Car will crank but not start; No fuel reaching the engine; Burning plastic smell inside vehicle; Complete loss of power while accelerating on highway
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump relay replacement; fuse box replacement often required due to melted fuse block. Costs reported over $1,600 for complete fuel pump, relay, and fuse box replacement. Fuse blocks noted on national backorder with 6-month lead times.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM initially refused warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles. Some repairs done at no cost under special coverage for in-warranty cases. No recalls issued despite multiple complaints citing this as known/common problem.
Fuse block defect causing fuel system failure
The under-seat rear fuse block overheats and develops burnt, melted connections in the fuel pump relay area. The block sends low voltage to the fuel pump even when receiving good voltage input, causing intermittent or complete fuel pump failure.
When: 55,000 miles to 137,000 miles; failures recur shortly after repair if only relay is replaced
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel pump receives low voltage signal despite good input voltage; Engine stalls while driving at various speeds; Repeated fuel pump failure within days of repair; Plastic burning smell from under rear seat
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse block replacement; multiple mechanics reported this as the root cause rather than fuel pump itself. Parts availability extremely limited—units on national backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed of failures but declined warranty coverage on vehicles outside coverage period. GM stated special coverage eligibility had expired.
Fuel pump module failure
The fuel pump module fails, preventing fuel delivery to the engine. Owners report the failure is secondary to fuse block overheating, but module replacement is sometimes the only repair attempted.
When: 13,600 miles to 125,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls and will not restart; No fuel being transferred to engine; Complete loss of power without warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump module replacement performed; however, failures often recur if the underlying fuse block issue is not addressed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM informed of failures; one owner cited an online GM Technical Service Bulletin for replacing electronic relay module.
Fuel overflow during refueling
Gasoline spews back out from the filler tube during refueling, spraying the owner. A single complaint; dealer attempted repair but failure persisted.
When: 19,950 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gasoline backs up and spews out of filler tube during refueling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted repair but issue persisted; not further repaired per complaint.
Fuel gauge erratic reading
Fuel gauge fluctuates up and down in 1/8 tank increments after each engine restart, with no apparent change in actual fuel level.
When: Unknown mileage; occurs after fuel level drops to full tank level
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge reads down 1/8, back up 1/8, repeating pattern with each ignition cycle
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had fuel system 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 fuel system problem on the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 24,863 and 106,079 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 24,863; a quarter make it past 106,079. 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 $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.