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 ↗2010 Buick LaCrosse airbags problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 12 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 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 airbags 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 informational bulletin provides information on how to determine whether or not an airbag module is counterfeit or not and what to do if a counterfeit airbag is found.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on the driver airbag light is flashing in the cluster and/or the passenger airbag ON indicator does not illuminate when the passenger is present when the SDM setup has not been completed after reprogramming.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report five distinct airbag system failures. Most severe: two documented cases of front passenger airbag explosion in an unstarted, unoccupied vehicle during a heat wave (July 2019)—both sent to GM for Takata inflator investigation. One owner also experienced spontaneous deployment of side airbags (roof rail and headrest) at highway speed with no impact, after a service airbag warning appeared on the display; the driver was struck but maintained control.
Passenger occupant sensor failures are common. Multiple owners report the passenger airbag OFF light remaining on when a lighter-weight occupant sits in the seat (~95% of the time in one case). One dealer replaced the passenger seat, N-MODULE KIT, and presence module. Other owners' dealers could not duplicate or fix the problem.
Warning light issues range from intermittent service airbag lights to all instrument panel lights illuminating at once (clearing after restart). One owner hit a deer at 60 mph; airbags didn't deploy but the deployment light came on. Dealers often cannot diagnose these faults. One airbag module was found physically fractured with the warning indicator non-functional. Most cases remained unrepaired or received no manufacturer assistance.
Same Buick LaCrosse airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag inflator rupture
Front passenger airbag exploded in car parked in driveway, unstarted and unoccupied. Heat wave conditions (extreme temperature and humidity) were present. Deployment triggered when driver opened door.
When: July 20, 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag explosive rupture; Spontaneous deployment without impact or trigger event; Explosion occurred during extreme heat and humidity
Repairs/costs cited: Car retained by dealership for manufacturer investigation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Product Assistance Claims (PAC) opened investigation; case assigned
Passenger occupant sensor malfunction
Passenger presence detection sensor fails to recognize occupant in seat, causing airbag warning light to show OFF when seat is occupied. Issue occurs intermittently, predominantly when lighter-weight passenger sits in seat.
When: Around 50,000 miles; reported 4/2014 in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag OFF light illuminates when occupied; Failure occurs ~95% of the time with lighter occupants; Service airbag warning message intermittently illuminates while driving with passenger seated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced passenger seat, N-MODULE KIT (14865-B), and passenger presence module in one case; other cases unrepaired
Spontaneous side airbag deployment
Side airbags (driver and passenger roof rail and headrest) deployed while vehicle traveling at highway speed with no accident, impact, or road hazard to trigger deployment. Service airbag warning appeared moments before deployment.
When: Highway speeds, no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous airbag deployment without collision; Service airbag warning message appeared before deployment; Driver struck by airbag but maintained vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed after incident
Airbag module fracture and warning light inoperative
Airbag module physically fractured. Airbag indicator light on dashboard failed to illuminate, preventing driver awareness of system fault.
When: 78,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fractured airbag module; Airbag indicator light non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated airbags would be replaced but no assistance provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and did not assist
Airbag system warning lights malfunction
Service airbag warning light illuminates without apparent trigger, or illuminates intermittently. In one case, all instrument panel warning lights illuminated together, then cleared after vehicle restart. In another case, airbag deployment light illuminated after minor impact even though airbags did not deploy.
When: 7,450 miles (all lights incident); 19,630 miles (intermittent driver side); 13,000 miles (deployment light after deer strike)
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminates intermittently; All instrument panel warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Lights clear after vehicle restart; Deployment light illuminates without deployment occurring
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose issue; driver side airbag replacement needed in one case (112,986 miles); most cases unrepaired
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Buick lacrosse. The contact stated that the air bag module was fractured and the air bag indicator did not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to jim ellis automotive group (5862 peachtree blvd, atlanta, georgia 30341, 770-234-8155), but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed, but the dealer stated that air bags would be replaced this week. The…
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Buick LaCrosse?
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 airbags problem on the 2010 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 13,000 and 78,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,000; a quarter make it past 78,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2010/Buick/LaCrosse.
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.