MYRModel Year Report

2008 Buick Lucerne

◆ Worse than typical
2008 Buick Lucerne
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Lucerne Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2006: 330 complaints 2006 2007: 164 complaints 2007 2008: 218 complaints 2008 2009: 128 complaints 2009 2010: 54 complaints 2010 2011: 49 complaints 2011
2008: 218 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2006330
2007164
2008218
2009128
201054
201149

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 49%

49% of complaints: electrical system — 107 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231104

THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER RECALL 10153 IS NOT SUFFICIENT. THEY ARE NOT OFFERING A REPAIR BUT TO DISABLE IT. I AND MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS OPTION ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE RECALL DONE BECAUSE WE WANT THIS FEATURE TO WORK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100802

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 23%

23% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 50 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180130

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE BURNED FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140527

WHEN MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE ROARED (EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE) AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER THE CURB AND STRUCK SMALL BUSHES AND TREES IN THE MEDIAN BETWEEN THE STEIN MART AND HOME...

NHTSA ODI report, 20130406

ENGINE 11%

11% of complaints: engine — 24 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180130

STRUCTURE 5%

5% of complaints: structure — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE ROARED (EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE) AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED OVER THE CURB AND STRUCK SMALL BUSHES AND TREES IN THE MEDIAN BETWEEN THE STEIN MART AND HOME...

NHTSA ODI report, 20130406

AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ON MARCH 11, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK ON MY MOTHER'S 2008 BUICK LUCERNE AND SHE JUMPED A RR TIE BARRIER AND CROSSED THE FRONT YARD AND HIT AN OAK TREE AT PERHAPS 30 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090318

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 218
I 20080612 — EA (closed 20080908)

NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20080912 — electrical system

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SI

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WW

Campaign 08V441000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100611 — electrical system

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 E

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 BEE

Campaign 10V240000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140923 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 14V355000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Buick Lucerne — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (107 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (24 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08V441000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V355000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2011 ▲ 2010 ● 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2007 ● 2009

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Buick Lucerne reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Buick Lucerne is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Buick Lucerne?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Buick Lucerne have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.