VehicleVerdict

2009 Buick Lucerne problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Buick Lucerne sits mid-pack among Lucerne years: 185 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 206, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 44% of all reports (82 of 185), far ahead of fuel system at 45.

185

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

24

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Lucerne years?

Lucerne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted456 complaints2006: 456 complaints2007: 227 complaints2008: 321 complaints2009: 185 complaints2010: 77 complaints2011: 66 complaints
Lucerne NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Lucerne years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Buick Lucerne problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8244%
Fuel System4524%
Engine105%
Body & Structure95%
Steering63%
Speed Control53%
Airbags53%
Other42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Brakes32%
Latches & Locks32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Transmission21%
Seats21%
Seat Belts11%
Suspension11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2009 Buick Lucerne have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL OF WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT REAR FUSE BOX HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 31, 2015 · fire

“AFTER RETURNING FROM A TWO HOUR TRIP I PARKED MY CAR AT HOME. THE NEXT DAY I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD ONLY TURN OVER.A MECHANIC FOUND THE FUEL PUMP DEFECTIVE, FUEL PUMP RELAY BURNT AND THE POWER PANEL BURNT AS WELL.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 24, 2015 · fire

“TAKATA RECAL.L ALL OF THE ABOVE .RIGHT REAR DOOR LOCK.KEY FOB.PERMANENT CARBON MONOZIDE POSION.SEE THE COMPLAINTS ON FILE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 11, 2009 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED UPON EXITING A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE HAD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT'S GIRLFRIEND PROCEEDED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 3, 2020 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER WATER, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 22, 2013

2009 Buick Lucerne — common questions

Is the 2009 Buick Lucerne reliable?

It is close to typical for the Lucerne: 185 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2009 Lucerne problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (82 complaints), fuel system (45 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 2009 Buick Lucerne have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Buick Lucerne. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.