2009 Buick LaCrosse vs 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2009 Buick LaCrosse
2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser
Stories from the shop
These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2009 Buick LaCrosse scores 3.8; the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser scores 3.9. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.
If you lean 2009 Buick LaCrosse, know what you're getting into on lighting and airbags. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser? Watch the electrical and powertrain. The 2009 Buick LaCrosse has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
On the dollars-and-cents side, total repair exposure across the top problem areas runs 2.0x higher on the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser. That's the number to keep in mind when you're pricing the deal — a $2,000 difference in purchase price disappears the first time you're staring at a transmission rebuild.
Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2009 Buick LaCrosse or the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (3.8 vs 3.9). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.
What goes wrong more often on the 2009 Buick LaCrosse?
Compared to the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser, the 2009 Buick LaCrosse sees more reported issues in lighting and airbags. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser?
Compared to the 2009 Buick LaCrosse, the 2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser has more complaints in electrical and powertrain. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
The 2009 Buick LaCrosse has more active recalls (1 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $10,400 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.