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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-BUICK-LUCERNENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Buick
2009 Buick Lucerne problems
The 2009 Buick Lucerne has 128 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 Lucerne has 128 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 72 complaints, typically surfacing around 91,586 miles (~$850 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 Lucerne?
Avoid — the electrical system
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
15 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system
Reliability score 7.2/10 — 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 Lucerne? 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
electrical — 72 owner reports
· tends to show around 91,586 mi · ~$850 to fix
fuel system — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 77,302 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
body — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 102,519 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
steering — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 56,380 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 91,586 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: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — 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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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Lucerne· electrical
Vehicle was stationary in driveway. Vehicle would not start. It had worked fine the day prior. The vehicle was cranking and clearly had power but would not turn over. I noticed that I could not hear the fuel pump prime when the key was turned. Like many others, I found the fuel…
Driver interior door lever breaking often, plastic component around central lever pivot that connects to lock release cable breaks leaving passenger stranded on interior. Only way to open door is to roll down window and reach for the exterior door handle. Driver could be trapped…
Interior driver door lever broke again in same location. This was a replacement for the OEM part that broke in april. Same breaking point. Material and design is very poor. Driver is trapped in car without a way to rapidly open the door in an emergency to escape.
Interior driver door lever broke 3rd time in same location. This was a replacement for a replacement purchased in april 2016. Same at breaking point. Material and design is very poor. Driver is trapped in car without a way to rapidly open the door in an emergency to escape.…
Had a problem with your 2009 Buick Lucerne?
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.
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.
Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009 Chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (hwfs)
It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
Fix: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and Hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Buick Lucerne reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Buick Lucerne 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 Lucerne?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Buick Lucerne is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 15 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system; Reliability score 7.2/10 — 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 Lucerne?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 72 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 91,586 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 Lucerne a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 128 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 91,586 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 Lucerne?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 72 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 91,586 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 91,586 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Buick Lucerne 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 Lucerne?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 128 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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/Lucerne.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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