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.
2008 Buick LucerneProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 218 owner complaints about the 2008 Buick Lucerne, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-355 the manufacturer reports only 62% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Buick Lucerne has problems
218 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
121Electrical system23 crash/fire/injury
50Fuel/propulsion system10 crash/fire/injury
24Engine5 crash/fire/injury
14Structure
13Fuel system, gasoline
11Air bags
9Steering
8Seats
8Visibility
5218 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 121 | 23 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 50 | 10 |
| Engine | 24 | 5 |
| Structure | 14 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 13 | 3 |
| Air bags | 11 | 8 |
| Steering | 9 | 1 |
| Seats | 8 | 3 |
| Visibility | 8 | 1 |
| 18 other systems | 52 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2008 Buick Lucerne 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.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
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 electrical system problems start?
78kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 77 electrical system complaints. 73% were reported before 100,000 miles.
11under 30k miles56under 100k miles21100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Lucerne 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 Lucerne median. How we score
'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Buick Lucerne safety ratings
2008 Buick Lucerne 4-DR. w/SAB 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: Optional
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Buick Lucerne, and the recalls they led to.
- NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 08V-441
In owners' words
What Lucerne owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I purchased the vehicle a week before the incident. There were no warning lights or messages and nothing to indicate there was a problem. I was driving in a crowded parking lot so I was going very slow. When I turned my car suddenly died. My husband was passenger and my daughter and 2 sons were in…
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel pump relay and fuse had melted, and the fuse box located underneath the rear seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
Fuse box (rear) 2008 Buick Lucerne CXL. FUEL PUMP Relay burns fuses out quickly. The fuse box located under the back seat has been having issues of burning where the fuel pump relay is located. It then in turn shorts out the fuse box which keeps needing to be replaced. This is a safety issue as it…
Own a 2008 Lucerne?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.