VehicleVerdict

2005 Buick LaCrosse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 414 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median LaCrosse year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 15 LaCrosse years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (87), lighting (86), and steering (51), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

414

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other LaCrosse years?

LaCrosse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted414 complaints2005: 414 complaints2006: 383 complaints2007: 326 complaints2008: 343 complaints2009: 146 complaints2010: 278 complaints2011: 243 complaints2012: 301 complaints2013: 198 complaints2014: 89 complaints2015: 54 complaints2016: 60 complaints2017: 42 complaints2018: 19 complaints2019: 8 complaints
LaCrosse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LaCrosse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Buick LaCrosse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8721%
Lighting8621%
Steering5112%
Brakes389%
Airbags348%
Transmission195%
Engine174%
Body & Structure164%
Suspension133%
Speed Control113%
Visibility & Wipers92%
Other92%
Fuel System82%
Latches & Locks61%
Tires & Wheels51%
Seats41%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2005 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V519000LightingAugust 14, 2015 · 429,170 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

Consequence

Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

09E005000SteeringFebruary 17, 2009 · 979 units

Defect

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Consequence

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

06V417000AirbagsOctober 31, 2006 · 794 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence

IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy

BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

05V156000BrakesApril 20, 2005 · 61,594 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIN COULD HAVE BEEN BENT WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED. A BENT CLIP MAY COME OFF, ALLOWING THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence

PUSHING ON THE PEDAL WILL NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD BUSHING AND RETAINING CLIP AND, IF THE CLIP WAS MISSING, A NEW BRAKE PEDAL ARM ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 26, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 22, 2015 · fire

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD LOST LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AS WELL AS DAY TIME LIGHTS , SMELLED SMALL BURNING ODOR AND DISCOVERED THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL IN THE FUSE PANEL TO BE OVER HEATING AND BEGINNING TO BURN A HOLE IN THE FUSE PANEL UNDER THE HOOD. HAVE READ OF THIS HAPPENING TO SEVERAL OF THESE CARS WITH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 19, 2014 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. ON AUGUST 24, 2014, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BACK, KNEE, AND NECK PAIN THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 24, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 12, 2015 · crash

I WAS CROSSING HWY 90 IN LAKE CITY, FL. I CHECKED BOTH WAYS AND NO TRAFFIC WAS COMING. AS I WAS GOING INTO THE MALL A CAR CAME OUT OF NO WHERE AND HIT ME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I DID NOT SEE HER HIT ME. IT TOTALED MY CAR AND THEY BLAMED ME FOR THE ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY...UPDATED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 2, 2014 · crash

2005 Buick LaCrosse — common questions

Is the 2005 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 414 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 15 LaCrosse years. It is one of the LaCrosse years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 LaCrosse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (87 complaints), lighting (86 complaints), steering (51 complaints).

Does the 2005 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Buick LaCrosse. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Buick LaCrosse years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LaCrosse years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2008, 2007, 2012. The cleanest record among LaCrosse years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.