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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-BUICK-LACROSSENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Buick
2009 Buick LaCrosse problems
The 2009 Buick LaCrosse has 106 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2009 Buick LaCrosse has 106 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is lighting at 39 complaints, typically surfacing around 64,678 miles (~$250 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 LaCrosse?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 30 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 43,300–94,000 mi
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Buick LaCrosse? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
lighting — 39 owner reports
· tends to show around 64,678 mi · ~$250 to fix
electrical — 30 owner reports
· tends to show around 68,792 mi · ~$850 to fix
airbags — 21 owner reports
· tends to show around 46,341 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
cruise control — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 91,883 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 68,792 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 LaCrosse· electrical
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Buick lacrosse. The contact stated that the headlights failed and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the instrument panel failed to illuminate. The failures recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
Consumer front seat passenger airbag indicator does not display when passenger is sitting the in seat.*ta the air bag sensor was replaced. However, the problem continued. The consumer was informed by a local garage mechanic, the passenger presence system would need to be…
Car was towed to auto repair shop where the airbag light and check engine lights were illuminated. Have had four diagnostics performed and problem not found. Advised a complete tear down of passenger seat would need to be done to locate issue which is costing me an exuberant…
Was driving down road got to my destination parked it and when I came out it would not start found a burnt fuel pump relay changed it and drove it home. 20 min later I drove it again and made it 2 miles same thing happened to relay only when I was driving it.
Had a problem with your 2009 Buick LaCrosse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles
Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Buick LaCrosse is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Buick LaCrosse?
The 2009 Buick LaCrosse is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 30 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 43,300–94,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Buick LaCrosse?
Inspect the lighting first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 39 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 64,678 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Buick LaCrosse a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 106 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is lighting. Typical failure occurs around 64,678 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Buick LaCrosse?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is lighting, with 39 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 64,678 miles. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The lighting is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $250 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 64,678 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Buick LaCrosse has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Buick LaCrosse?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 106 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $250, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Buick/LaCrosse.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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