repaired · 2017 Q3
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. 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…
2005 Buick LacrosseProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 315 owner complaints about the 2005 Buick Lacrosse, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-519 the manufacturer reports only 47% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Buick Lacrosse has problems
315 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
82Exterior lighting3 crash/fire/injury
80Electrical system5 crash/fire/injury
51Steering2 crash/fire/injury
34Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
21Service brakes, hydraulic
19Power train
16Structure
13Service brakes
13Suspension
7218 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 82 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 80 | 5 |
| Steering | 51 | 2 |
| Air bags | 34 | 4 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 21 | 0 |
| Power train | 19 | 0 |
| Structure | 16 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 2 |
| Suspension | 13 | 0 |
| 18 other systems | 72 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2005 Buick Lacrosse recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. 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…
no report yet
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
Risk. PUSHING ON THE PEDAL WILL NOT APPLY THE BRAKES AND A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.
Mileage at failure
When do exterior lighting problems start?
90kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 55 exterior lighting complaints. 58% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles32under 100k miles23100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Lacrosse year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lacrosse median. How we score
'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Buick Lacrosse safety ratings
2005 Buick LaCrosse 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Lacrosse owners report
Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
HAD MY DAUGHTER'S 2005 BUICK LACROSSE HDM REPLACED FOR THE RECALL AND 3 MONTHS LATER THE LOW-BEAMS WENT OUT AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE RECALL WAS DONE AND NOW I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THE HDM FAILED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL IN OCTOBER OF 2016. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALL…
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE OUT, ALSO NO DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THEY GO OUT AT RANDOM, WITHOUT WARNING. REPLACED HDM MODULE, DID NO HELP.
Own a 2005 Lacrosse?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.