Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

ProblemsByVin File / 2009-BUICK-LACROSSE
2009 · Buick

Buick LaCrosse problems

1 safety recall. 106 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.6 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

lighting
39 reports · avg $250
moderate
electrical
30 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
21 reports · avg $1,100
moderate
cruise control
4 reports · avg $600
severe
powertrain
3 reports · avg $2,500
moderate

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…
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668952.0
2009 LaCrosse · airbags
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…
12/29/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10661707.0
2009 LaCrosse · other
ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF VEHICLE WITH UNDER 120,000 MILES AND HAVE A "REDUCED POWER / ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR" PROBLEM AS RECALLED BY GM FOR SOME MAKE AND MODELS AS SAME, BUT NOT MINE AS IT DID NOT MANUFACTURED AT SAME PLANT AS OTHERS (AS I WAS TOLD)? I'M FINDING IT…
12/28/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10937879.0
2009 LaCrosse · airbags
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…
12/15/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10664280.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 15V519000 14/08/2015

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.

Common questions

Is the 2009 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 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.

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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Buick. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
Get a free warranty quote →