This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Buick Lucerne body problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 6 body complaints filed for the 2009 Buick Lucerne, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 body 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 preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on Damaged, Disassembled or Improperly Packaged Turbochargers Returned to Warranty Part Center.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 in an emergency without ability to escape rapidly. Shortage of replacement parts indicates that this is a very frequent…
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. Replacements parts are hard to find indicating this part fails often. Other door lever parts on other doors in this car…
Had body trouble with your 2009 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 body problem on the 2009 Buick Lucerne?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 102,519 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2009/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.