32 of the
1,332 complaints filed about the Buick Lucerne
are about the transmission —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
32
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The low oil pressure warning light was illuminated, and the message "Add Engine Oil" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred immediately. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the TCM had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred approximately a week later. The vehicle was then towed to the same independent mechanic, where it was determined that the coil pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle experienced a rough idle and was undrivable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,500.
NHTSA complaint #11677193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmission started not shifting as I was driving down the road and the relay fuse box caught on fire and I think it’s where the back seat lays on top of the fuse box which rubs the fuses. Which is dangerous bc it catches on fire and could blow the car up while driving
NHTSA complaint #11553577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IT'S THROWING CODE PO742. WHEN I COME TO A STOP AND TRY TO GO IT HESITATES AND ALMOST CAUSES ACCIDENTS. I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE OF THESE CARS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS, SO IT'S DEFINITELY A DEFECT , CONSIDERING IT HAS 120K MILES ON IT
NHTSA complaint #11301400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PERIODICALLY AT CRUISING SPEED OF 50 TO 60 MILES AN HOUR, SPEEDOMETER WILL FLUCTUATE WILDLY BETWEEN 25 AND 40 MPH. WHEN IT DOES THIS TRANSMISSION DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BE IN, AND IN THE EVENT THAT THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO ZERO, IT WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS PEDAL EVEN IF YOU'RE IN GEAR, ONLY THING YOU CAN DO IS PULL OFF AND SHUT IT DOWN AND WAIT SEVERAL SECONDS TO A FEW MINUTES FOR IT TO ENGAGE ONCE AGAIN WHEN YOU START IT BACK UP. THIS IS AN 06 BUICK LUCERNE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND 3.8 V6
NHTSA complaint #11298864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED MY '07 BUICK LUCERNE CXL ABOUT A YEAR AGO AGO AN I ACTUALLY LOVE THE CAR HOWEVER; ABOUT 3 OR SO MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A WHAT I AM SUSPECTING IS THE TRANSMISSION OR POSSIBLY A CENSOR OR RELAY ISSUE CAUSING THE CAR TO MAKE A HESITATION AND DRAG WHEN I TRY TO KEEP A CONSISTENT SPEED AND ONLY QUITS WHEN I PRESS OR DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL MAKING THE CAR EITHER ACCELERATE OR DECREASE IN SPEED DRASTICALLY. ALSO, ABOUT A MONTH AGO I NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS GET BRIGHTER AND THEN DIMMER IN A FLASHING MANNER AT NO CERTAIN INTERVAL; NOW THE "SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM" DIC MESSAGE ALONG WITH THE RED BATTERY DASH LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF ALSO AT NO SPECIFIC TIME OR INTERVAL ( AT WHICH TIME MY HEATER/SEAT WARMERS/RADIO/ETC SHUT OFF ). I AM ABLE TO FORCE THE DIC MESSAGE AND BATTERY DASH LIGHT TO GO AWAY UPON MY REVVING THE ENGINE OR ACCELERATING DRASTICALLY. I HAVE HAD BOTH THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR CHECKED AND BOTH ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER SO NOW, AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I WILL CHECK THE FUSES AND RELAY SWITCHES MORE INTENSELY. I PRAY I AM ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION AS I REALLY DO LOVE MY CAR. ALSO, LAST WEEK MY TRANSPONDER KEY QUIT WORKING IN THE IGNITION AND HAD TO USE THE FOB REMOTE START TO START THE ENGINE, THANKFULLY UPON CHECKING THE FUSES UNDER THE BACK SEAT ( I GUESS FROM REMOVING AND REPLACING THEM ), THE KEY AND CONSOLE IGNITION DID START OPERATING NORMALLY AGAIN. AND I CHECKED MY VIN # ON THIS SITE AND IT IS RETURNING CLEAR TO HAVING NO CURRENT RECALLS. I AM HOWEVER WORRIED OF SOME OF THE STORIES I HAVE READ REGARDING MALFUNCTION, I FEAR I MAY BE FACING A FUTURE ALIKE INCIDENT SO IF ANYONE HAS ANY SOLUTIONS I AM ALL EARS. THANK YOU...
NHTSA complaint #11187186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A 2007 BUICK LUCERNE FROM (REDACTED) IN MEMPHIS,TN.I HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM.FIRST IT WAS THE DRIVER SEAT THAT WOULDN'T MOVE BACK,THEN THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY.NEXT WAS THE MOTOR ENGINE RUNNING HOT.NOW IT'S THE TRANSMISSION IT WAS RUNNING FINE.NOW IT WON'T RUN IN DRIVE ONLY GEARS 2&3.I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS IN 2009 I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS FIXED THEN OR NOT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THE ORIGINAL OWNER.IF YOU DRIVE THE CAR IT WILL RUN AND CUTOFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET.(VERY DANGEROUS) .THEN IT WILL RUN FOR A MILE OR TO AND DO THE SAMETHING NOW IT'S PARKED .I'M NOT TRYING TO GET HURT OR KILLED IN THIS CONTRAPTION.I'M ALREADY DISABLE I'M NOT TRYING TO KILL MYSELF OR GET KILLED IN THIS CAR.THEY ARE DANGEROUS.ALL NEED TO BE RECALLED THEY ARE NOT TOP OF THE LINE BUICKS THEY ARE A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #11076511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL AS I WAS DRIVING GOING TO PICK MY KIDS UP I NOTICED THAT MY CAR SEEMED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO GO AS SOON AS I CAME TO A RED LIGHT I THOUGHT IT WOULD STOP BY THE TIME I HAD GOTTEN READY TO PULL OFF AS SOON AS I PRESSED THE GAS AND GOT READY TO MAKE MY TURN ON TO THE NEXT STREET THE LINE FROM MY TRANSMISSION POPPED OFF SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO TAKE A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND ALL I SEEN WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11014795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT IN SYNC WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE TRAVEL IN THE THIRD CLUTCH PISTON. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #10897652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10713558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, 5 MINUTES LATER I GO TO TAKE IT OUT OF PARK AND IT DOES NOT SHIFT. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR IN 2013. THE GEAR SHIFT IS GIVING ME A BIG PROBLEM AND OF COURSE ONLY THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10693204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE "LOW ENGINE POWER LIGHT" CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I PRESSED THE PEDAL DOWN AND HAD TO PRESS THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE CAR TO GO 5 MPH. I HAD TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND KEEP PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL UP AND DOWN TO KEEP THE CAR GOING. AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND FLOOR IT TO RACE THE ENGINE IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO MOVE. IT IS HAZARD DRIVING ON A FREE WAY AT 5 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO TIRE DISCOUNTERS BECAUSE THEY WERE THE ONLY ONE OPEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE AS MARK SWEENEY GMC/BUICK WAS NOT OPEN AND NORMALLY TAKE MY CAR TO BROCHERDING GMC/BUICK. THE SERVICE PERSON AT TIRE DISCOUNTERS DISCOVERED IT WAS THE THROTTLE SWITCH WHICH WAS BAD. I ENDED UP BEING ABLE TO GET A RENTAL CAR WHILE MY CAR WS BEING REPAIRED. I PICKED UP MY CAR ON DECEMBER 29, 2014 TO FIND THAT ANOTHER PERSON HAD BROUGHT THEIR 2006 OR 07 BUICK IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AT TIRE DISCOUNTER. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE CAR AGAIN. THIS BUICK LUCERNE IS THE DEMON CAR AND I HAVE SPENT OVER 10K IN REPAIRS THE PAST 3 YEARS TO KEEP IT RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10669441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR IMPACTED THE OTHER CAR BY TURNING LEFT INTO THE PATH OF THE ONCOMING CAR. THE FRONT END OF THE BUICK WAS SERIOUSLY DAMAGED AND CAR SUBSEQUENTLY "TOTALED" BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN BROKEN BONES AND BRUISES TO THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10649308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR TO SCHOOL MY DAUGHTER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO GEAR. MY HUSBAND WENT TO THE CAR AND WAS ALSO UNABLE TO SHIFT. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR LOCAL GARAGE AND RECEIVED A CALL THIS MORNING THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE BROKE. THE TOTAL PRICE FOR REPAIR IS 360.00 I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR GM VEHICLE FOR THE SHIFT CABLE BREAKING AND A RECALL ISSUED IN THE CADILLAC VEHICLE. THE RECALL CLAIMED THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT IN OR OUT OF GEAR. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED WITH OUR LUCERNE. I'M THINKING THE LUCERNE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. THANK YOU FOR CHECKING.
NHTSA complaint #10648547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY DAUGHTER DROVE THE CAR TO SCHOOL AND WHEN SCHOOL WAS OUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. MY HUSBAND CAME AND TRIED TO GET THE CAR INTO GEAR BUT ALSO HAD NO LUCK. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE GARAGE FOR WORK. I LOOKED UP RECALLS AND NOTICED THE CADILLAC HAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PART. TOTAL COST FOR DEALER PARTS AND TOWING, INSTALLATION AND LABOR IS $ 360.00.
NHTSA complaint #10648541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS I BEGAN TO ENTER A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD. I ALMOST WAS STRUCK MY AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER(TRACTOR-TRAILER). THE FORWARD DRIVE BAND COMPLETELY BROKE IN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10638961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FUSE ASSEMBLY, INSULATOR HARNESS AND INSULATOR COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 9/29/14*CN UPDATED 2/25/2015
NHTSA complaint #10628433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWR TRAIN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ UPDATED 3/6/2015
NHTSA complaint #10626814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE CODES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #10609262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE WERE SLOWING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN WE LOST ALL POWER WE COASTED TO THE CURB AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THERE WAS A CLICKING AS IF IT WAS A LOW BATTERY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED BUT RAN ROUGH BUT WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. A WEEK LATER IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE DEALER WHO COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. WE HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS FOR FOUR MONTHS AND THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE FOURTH TIME AND AGAIN THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. WE HAVE CONTACTED G.M. CUSTOMER SVC. TWICE AND BUICK CUSTOMER SVC. WHO HAVE OPENED A CASE FILE [XXX]. AND SUGGESTED WE CONTACT A BUICK DEALER IN OREGON WHEN WE GET HOME. WE LIVE IN OREGON AND SPEND WINTERS IN CALIF. SO NOW WE MUST DRIVE A 1000 MILES NOT KNOWING WHEN OR IF OUR CAR WILL SUDDENLY DIE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10577253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FREEZE PLUG FAILED (NOT DUE TO FREEZING). DEALER INDICATED NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE. WAS NECESSARY TO TEAR OUT TRANSMISSION TO MAKE REPAIRS WITH A NEW TYPE OF REPLACEMENT PLUG. DEALER HAD CAR FROM WEDNESDAY NOON TO FOLLOWING TUESDAY EVENING. NEW TYPE OF SEAL COST $24.50 AND THE LABOR WAS $1,114.00. GATEWAY BUICK IN DALLAS, TEXAS. INDICATED THAT IF SEAL WAS NOT REPLACED I COULD LOOSE ALL COOLANT AND HOT ENGINE COULD CAUSE STEAM THAT WOULD HINDER MY VISION AND LEAVE ME STRANDED ALONG THE ROAD. THE NEXT MORNING AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF LOW. HAD TO RETURN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. SEEMS TO ME THAT THE ORIGINAL FREEZE PLUG WAS BADLY DESIGNED AND THAT GM HAD TO DEVELOP A NEW TYPE OF SEAL IN ORDER TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND DAMAGE..
NHTSA complaint #10577274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.