252 of the
2,918 complaints filed about the Buick Lacrosse
are about the airbag system —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
On June 22,2026, I was involved in a frontal impact collision while traveling at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure of the entire occupant restraint system. Despite a severe, high-speed frontal impact, the frontal airbags failed to physically deploy, and the seatbelt pretensioners failed to tighten, leaving the seatbelts completely loose. Crucially, the dashboard instrument cluster displayed a message indicating that an airbag deployment event had occurred. A check of the VIN shows no open recalls, meaning the GM SDM software update (NHTSA Campaign 16V651000) was likely marked as completed by a prior owner. However, the system completely failed to function as designed during a major crash, mimicking the exact symptoms of the original defect. The vehicle is currently held at a private tow yard pending an insurance investigation and an Event Data Recorder (EDR) download.
NHTSA complaint #11745821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle rear-ended at high rate of speed. Impact included rollover. Driver was buckled but seatbelt and/or seat failure and no air bag deployment for either occupant. Serious bodily injury occurred. Vehicle on hold pending further police investigation and scene reconstruction by multiple agencies.
NHTSA complaint #11712184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #11638093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s and driver’s seat air bags and the front passenger’s and driver’s door air bags deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The vehicle as taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed yet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #11621951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Failed component is the passenger airbag presence module. Failure of the presence module compromises the deployment of airbags. Failure of airbag confirmed by Vetter-McGill Chevrolet, Three Rivers, Michigan. Module component failure confirmed by Chevrolet dealer. Passenger airbag warning light prompted appointment with Chevrolet dealer to determine why the passenger airbag warning light was illuminated. Upon inspection and testing,Vetter-McGill determined the passenger airbag presence module failed, rendering the airbags inoperative. They also stated that replacement part is no longer available from GM due to its manufacture being discontinued. How is an auto manufacturer allowed to discontinue a vital safety component, rendering the vehicle undriveable due to potential risk of serious injury, or worse, in the event of a collision?
NHTSA complaint #11607133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The air bag warning light in the dash came on intermittently during driving. I took the vehicle to the dealer for service December 27, 2023, since it was a safety issue that the authorized dealer needs to take care of. At first, they said it was a bad battery and the safety system needed reprogramming. Which they did for about $800. When driving home from the dealer the air bag light came back on so a few days later I returned the car to the dealer. Then they said it was the passenger seat safety module that needed to be replaced. That was back in January of 2024, over 6 months ago. At that point I learned that the car is not drivable since the air bag could deploy at any time or would not function if requested in an accident. General Motors says they do not have the part that is critical to the operation of the air bag system to replace. That was over 6 months ago, with no prediction when they will have the part. This is a critical part of the safety system that they can't replace which leads me to believe there is more to this than they are telling me!! Federal law requires them to have parts for vehicles less than 7 years old - they don't!! How many other vehicles have this part? Is the part defective since it failed without any other causes that could be identified? Why can't they replace this critical safety part after 7 months of waiting with no end in sight!!!
NHTSA complaint #11603514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The passenger airbag light started coming on and going off intermittently. After several weeks of this, it was on every time the car is driven. Testing by an ASE certified mechanic revealed that the permanent light results in no front seat airbags. The failed part is the seat presence sensor. The part is - and hasn't been for quite a while - manufactured by GM. Aftermarket parts are costly and the installation cost is in the hundreds of dollars. Research indicates that this is a well-known and long reported issue. Why not a recall years ago? Other than brakes and steering, could there be any more unsafe components than those affecting airbags? The only remedy other than continuously replacing the faulty part, is a bypass module. If it functions correctly, the airbag will deploy regardless of passenger weight. This puts any child or underweight rider in danger. And, of course, considering the expense, many owners will do nothing with possibly grave consequences. I think you "dropped the ball" big time on this one!
NHTSA complaint #11593279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The air bag light on the dashboard is on all the time.It is available for inspection at any time. I do not know if the bag will go off at any time or does it mean that it won't go off on impact. I am nervous about having someone for a passenger. I have informed the dealership of the problem and they did confirmed the problem, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or others. The light came on the day after I bought the car from the dealership and it has been on every cents.
NHTSA complaint #11532167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, another vehicle spun uncontrollably and crashed into the driver's side door of the vehicle and the door caved in. The contact hit the left side of her head against the front driver's side window. The air bags failed to deploy. The fire department assisted the contact out of the vehicle by cutting the driver-side door. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of emergency units. The contact sustained soreness on the left side of her body, from the neck down to the legs. The contact also sustained bruises on the left side. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact associated the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V437000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11487099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11480585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
the airbag lite has been coming on for the last year saying it needs to be serviced. I have had it to the buick dealer for 4 times this last year and they still can not of will not fix it.The airbag lite comes on when we turn the steering wheel to the left.The last time I had it in was March of this year.When we left with the car the first left hand turn I made it came on.I am tired of fooling with it.after they work on it I told them to take it for a trail drive thye did not.
NHTSA complaint #11467521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving and service power steering message came on and all of a sudden my steering wheel got so hard i couldn't even turn my wheel it was so hard to pull over i put my hazard lights on so i could let traffic know im having trouble with my car it happened 3times the first time 2020 second time 2021 and 2022
NHTSA complaint #11465675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the air bag did not deploy. As a result, the driver hit his head on the headrest. The driver did seek medical attention for his injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. In addition, the seat belt retractor latches were not able to be used after the rear-ended accident. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #11458226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the airbag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #11438251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION ON THE FRWY GOING 63MILS PER HR. MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS CAR HAS 6 AIRBAGS "STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES"WHICH NONE OF THE 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I THINK THEY ALL ARE DEFECT AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #11435477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT 3:30PM THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES IN A LINE OF CARS AT ABOUT 25 MPH. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CAR THEN ACCELLERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND STRUCK ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT. ROAD WAS WET, SLIGHT GRADE. THE 2007 BUICK WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #11429852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.