This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Buick Lucerne electrical problems
severe 72 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
72
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
15fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 72 electrical complaints filed for the 2009 Buick Lucerne, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 10 mileage-bearing electrical complaints filed against the 2009 Buick Lucerne by each odometer reading. Median failure: 91,156 mi.
10% have failed by60,000 mi
Half the fleet by91,156 mi
90% have failed by120,000 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 56% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 72 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Lucerne has a well-documented electrical fire hazard that GM has refused to recall. Owners report the fuel pump relay under the rear seat catches fire and melts the fuse box, forcing complete vehicle shutdown. The relay gets hot enough to burn skin, and the plastic fuse box housing melts from internal shorts. Most failures happen between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, though some occur up to 170,000.
The root cause is poor design: the rear seat bracket presses directly down on the fuse box when passengers sit in back. GM published Service Bulletin 15-NA-051 (November 2015) advising dealers to trim the seat brackets and install a low-profile relay—but it's not a recall, so you pay. Repair runs $400–$840 depending on labor and whether the fuel pump also needs replacement.
The real problem is repetition. Owners replace the relay only to have it burn out again within days. One owner burned through four relay replacements in one month. The fuse box then fails and must be replaced, but the design flaw remains unless you get the bracket work done. One documented case ended in a vehicle fire that destroyed the car. Owners rightfully worry: no warning lights appear before failure, and if your car dies on a highway at 70 mph with kids in back, you lose brakes and steering.
Same Buick Lucerne electrical reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel Pump Relay Overheating and Burning
Fuel pump relay located under the rear seat overheats excessively and burns out, sometimes melting to the fuse box and creating visible char marks and internal burn damage between relay pins. Owners report the relay gets hot enough to burn the hand and can melt plastic around the fuse box connector holes.
When: Varies from ~53,000 to ~170,000 miles; some failures occur after days to weeks of initial replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to start despite fuel pump priming absent; Complete power loss while driving at highway speeds; Burning plastic odor from rear seat area; Relay visibly charred or melted to fuse box; Relay extremely hot to touch even after sitting; Loss of power steering and acceleration during operation
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump relay replacement (often $40–$75 per relay); temporary fix that frequently fails within days to one week. Permanent repair requires fuse box replacement ($291–$840 total labor and parts). Some dealers replace both relay and fuel pump (~$624) to rule out underlying issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin 15-NA-051 issued (July 26, 2015 or November 5, 2015) addressing no-start/stall caused by rear seat bracket pressure on relay; bulletin describes seat bracket trimming and low-profile relay installation as fix. Owners reference this bulletin but note it is not a recall and requires owner-paid repairs. No formal recall appears in complaints, though NHTSA Campaign 14V355000 (Electrical System) is mentioned in a few narratives without full remedy.
Rear Electrical Center (Fuse Box) Melting
Fuse box located under rear seat melts or suffers internal shorts, destroying connector pins and the plastic housing. Some owners report the fuse box was partially or completely burnt and discolored. Design places the plastic fuse box directly beneath the rear seat cushion, which can apply pressure when occupied.
When: Begins between ~53,000 and ~170,000 miles; some vehicles experience repeated failures after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Fuse box extremely hot to touch; Visible burning, discoloration, or melting of fuse box plastic; Smoke or burning odor under rear seat; Internal shorts causing fuel pump relay failure; Pin corrosion or damaged connectors (though corrosion was not always found); Vehicle stalls or fails to start without warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Complete fuse box replacement required ($291–$840, depending on labor and dealer). Some repairs also include seat bracket trimming or low-profile relay installation to prevent recurrence. Parts often back-ordered. Owners report dealers kept replacement fuse boxes in stock.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin 15-NA-051 advises trimming rear seat bracket and installing low-profile relay to reduce pressure on fuse box. No formal recall for the fuse box design defect itself. Owners note GM refuses to issue a recall despite multiple complaints and the safety risk.
Engine Stall or No-Start Due to Seat Bracket Pressure
Rear seat bottom bracket or seat cushion weight presses down on the fuse box located underneath, causing mechanical damage to the fuel pump relay and fuse box connections. Owners note the design flaw: no protection between seat and fuse box.
When: Occurs when rear passengers are seated or after repeated use; becomes critical around 60,000–80,000 miles but reported across full range
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving; Vehicle fails to start, especially after passengers sit in rear; Loss of all electrical power while in motion; Fuel pump relay burns out when passenger weight applies pressure; Repeated relay failures within days of replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership remedy per TSB 15-NA-051: trim or shim the metal seat brackets and install low-profile fuel pump relay. Estimated labor $400–$500+. Some owners paid for this repair out of pocket; others were unaware of the bulletin.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin 15-NA-051 (issued November 5, 2015, reference #15-NA-051) provides the fix: adjust seat brackets and use low-profile relay. Classified as a service bulletin, not a recall, so repairs are at owner expense. Multiple owners explicitly state GM refuses to recall this design defect.
Fire Hazard from Overheating Relay and Fuse Box
The extremely high heat generated by the overheating relay and melting fuse box, combined with the location directly under the rear seat (foam cushion) and adjacent to the plastic fuel tank, creates a serious fire risk. One narrative explicitly documents a vehicle fire that was extinguished by the fire department.
When: Potential at any mileage; confirmed fire incident occurred around 88,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke or flame visible from rear seat area; Burning plastic odor intensifies during operation; Heat radiates through seat bottom; Fuse box temperature high enough to ignite surrounding materials; Vehicle fire documented in one case
Repairs/costs cited: One documented case resulted in complete vehicle destruction; fire department called and fire report filed. No injuries reported in that instance. Cost to owner: total vehicle loss.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite fire risk. Owners repeatedly state GM is aware of the issue (reference to Buick forums, NHTSA complaints, and TSB 15-NA-051) but refuses to initiate a safety recall. One owner was turned away by dealer regarding recall eligibility; another states manufacturer communication 15-NA051 was discussed but recall status remained unclear.
Loss of Critical Vehicle Control (Steering and Braking)
When the relay burns out and fuse box fails, complete electrical shutdown occurs, disabling power steering and braking assist. Owners report loss of acceleration and steering control mid-drive, creating immediate accident risk.
When: Occurs during highway driving (reported at 45 mph, 65–75 mph, 70 mph); one case at 30 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering becomes inoperable; Acceleration pedal unresponsive; Vehicle loses all electrical power; Driver forced to steer and brake manually with no power assist; No warning lights prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: None offered for loss of control incidents; vehicle repair requires fuse box and relay replacement. Owners were fortunate to avoid collisions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented recall or field action addressing the loss-of-control hazard. Multiple owners express alarm that stalling without warning could cause fatal accidents, especially on curves or interstates.
Synthesized from 72 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 13 most recent
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 pump relay to be charred like it had been burning. The fuse block was also melted at pin 30. This is such a fire hazard…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Buick lucerne. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 01/20/15*lj…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Buick lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire fuse box melted and caused the fuel pump relay to malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that there was no smoke or burning odor prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
failed fuel pump relay and melted fuse block. Car would not start in garage. Knew this vehicle is known to have this issue and when investigating the failure to start the first thing I checked was the fuel pump relay and fuse block and sure enough that was the issue. Common issue that Buick never addressed adequately.
A piece to the fuse box under back seat has melted inside of the fuse box, which has caused the car not to start. The vehicle is now in front of my home, sitting. Buick has no recall but yet this keeps happening.
Driving down the road the car quits and cranks but no start. Found fuse box at fuel pump relay melted together. Cleaned terminals and replaced relay drove car 20 miles to have it do it again. Fuse box get hot and it is located under rear passenger seat next to battery. I have read where other people with same year, make and model having the same problem and around the 70,000-80,000 mileage. I…
Corrosion of fuse box located under back seat. *tr
Corrosion of fuse box located under back seat. *tr
Vehicle would not start in the garage. Had it towed to a local garage where the diagnosis was failed fuel pump relay. Fuel pump relay overheated and melted the fuse block. The 20 amp fuse for the fuel pump relay did not fail. A visual inspection of the relay shows an internal burn mark between pins 85 & 86. Since this block is under the rear seat, on which my grandchildren our strapped in I am…
Vehicle was no start. Dealer found fuel pump relay bad on 10/05/201. Next time using vehicle same problem. On 10/20/2021 dealer service department diagnosed bad fuse box. The fuse box is located under the rear passenger seat. It was extremely hot and melting. Fortunately no fire, this time.
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2009 Buick Lucerne?
It's a meaningful issue. 72 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 57 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 75,000 and 108,290 miles, with the median around 84,453. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,000; a quarter make it past 108,290. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.