VehicleVerdict

2006 Buick Lucerne problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 456 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Lucerne year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 6 Lucerne years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 41 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (110), body & structure (60), and steering (43), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

456

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

50

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

41

Injuries

3

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Lucerne years?

Lucerne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted456 complaints2006: 456 complaints2007: 227 complaints2008: 321 complaints2009: 185 complaints2010: 77 complaints2011: 66 complaints
Lucerne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lucerne years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Buick Lucerne problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System11024%
Body & Structure6013%
Steering439%
Airbags358%
Engine337%
Tires & Wheels296%
Latches & Locks245%
Brakes215%
Speed Control215%
Suspension164%
Lighting153%
Transmission143%
Visibility & Wipers123%
Other102%
Fuel System72%
Seats51%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2006 Buick Lucerne have recalls?

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

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.

10V240000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2008 · 857,735 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

06V105000SteeringApril 5, 2006 · 12,862 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 ENGINE,THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY CRIMPED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED AT LOW SPEEDS. ALSO, IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID WERE TO CONTACT HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR INLET HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

2006 BUICK LUCERNE. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP AND ACCIDENT CAUSED BY DEFECT STATED IN RECALL NOTICE. *SMD ACCORDING TO THE RECALL LETTER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE LETTER DID NOT GO INTO SPECIFICS ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. *JB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2014 · crash

DEFECTIVES AIRBAGS. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF WHEN I WAS HIT ON MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I DONT FEEL SAFE IN THAT VEHICLE. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND A TRUCK WAS. STOPPED AT A YIELD SIGN WHERE THE ROAD CAME TO A T. I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO MAKE MY TURN. AS SOON AS I WAS MAKING THE TURN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 23, 2017 · crash

1. NORMAL LANE CHANGE FROM CENTER LANE TO RIGHT LANE AT APPROX. 65 MPH, MARYLAND INTERSTATE 95 NORTH MILE MARKER 104.8 2. VEHICLE VEERED SHARPLY RIGHT WITH NO CONTROL OF STEERING RESULTING IN 4 SPINS AND TRAVELING BACKWARDS WITH BRAKES ON POSSIBLY 200 FT. BEFORE STRIKING AN EMBANKMENT RESULTING IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 13, 2006 · crash

REARED ENDED VEHICLE ABOUT 20 MPH, INSURANCE TOTALED THE CAR $8,500 TO REPAIR IT. DIRECT HIT ON FRONT OF CAR AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. 2 DAYS IN HOSPITAL WITH BROKEN STERNUM AND RIBS. RECEIVED RECALL TODAY ON THE CAR SAYING AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IF KEY ACCIDENTALLY TURNS OFF, I DON'T REMEMBER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 24, 2014 · crash

My power steering went out so my mechanic checked it out and said my pump went out so I bought a new power steering pump and pulley had it put on and that didn't fix the problem. The next day I went out of town to visit family and my car caught on fire due to the power steering fluid leaked all out…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 13, 2022 · fire

2006 Buick Lucerne — common questions

Is the 2006 Buick Lucerne reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 456 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 6 Lucerne years. It is one of the Lucerne years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Lucerne problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (110 complaints), body & structure (60 complaints), steering (43 complaints).

Does the 2006 Buick Lucerne have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Buick Lucerne. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Buick Lucerne under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Lucerne years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Lucerne years to avoid are 2006, 2008. The cleanest record among Lucerne years belongs to 2011.

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.