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Electrical system

Buick Lucerne Electrical problems by year

399 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Buick Lucerne's electrical system. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Electrical complaints by model year

YearElectrical complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
201123002
201019002
200976122
2008121323
200759333
2006101523

Electrical recalls

Latest Lucerne electrical complaints

2011 Buick LucerneElectrical system

Vehicle purchased used through Carvana. Battery installed at purchase was approximately 10 years old and later failed, causing starting issues and an instance of power loss while driving that left the vehicle stranded. Battery has been replaced and original battery retained.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11732618
2011 Buick LucerneElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

The vehicle's instrument cluster appears to be a non-original unit that may not be correct for the model year. The cluster is responsible for displaying the odometer and communicating with other vehicle systems. After purchase, I observed that diagnostic scan tools could not consistently access or communicate with multiple modules, and an experienced mechanic indicated the instrument cluster may be incompatible with the vehicle's configuration. Because the odometer reading is displayed through this component,...

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there is concern that the mileage may not be independently verifiable. The vehicle otherwise operates, but diagnostic communication inconsistencies raise questions about the reliability of system-level data. Additionally, there does not appear to be any service documentation indicating that the instrument cluster or odometer system was replaced, repaired, or recalibrated. This creates uncertainty regarding how the current mileage reading was established. The inability to fully verify mileage and system data may affect maintenance accuracy, resale valuation, and overall confidence in vehicle information.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11732305
2011 Buick LucerneElectrical systemFuel system

Fuel pump relay is overheating to dangerously high temperatures. At least 211 F degrees. Causes the fuel pump fuse to melt leaving me stranded. Immediate replacement of the 20 AMP fuse is necessary to get the car running again. The fuel pump relay gets really hot even if the AC is not on. Waited for hour and a half in near 100 F degree heat for a tow truck to it home. I'm lucky the car did not catch on fire. I know quite a few of the Buick Lucerne's have had recalls regarding this item. Picture of the actual car is...

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included. No police report was necessary as this was a breakdown situation. This has utterly disrupted my life because I do not have access to a car with good air conditioning until this problem is repaired.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11727683
2010 Buick LucerneElectrical systemFuel system

We have a Buick Lucerne 2010. We went out it would not start. Tow it to dealership they replace the fuel pump. We did. Get it home next day it will not start again. Tow it to dealership again. This time they find melted wire connectors. Under back seat and on a fuse box.They replace them it starts and melt them again. This time they call to junk yards to get a used fuse box and connectors. Because of cost. The junk yards did tell them it's a known problem with these cars and they sell these fuse boxes and...

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connectors sell as fast as they get them. We said no used parts on this car. Come to find out that GM now's about this problem. And has not done anything about it. They meaning GM. Has even put out papers on the internet as how to try and fix it. Such as cut the insulation around the fuse box.And even cutting the seat belt bracket. My wife drives this car everyday. Now she is afraid of it. Because if it happened once could it happen again. I don't now. I have drove GM's all my life but am not happy about this. What do I do. Please help. I am a retired firefighter and I do not want her to drive this car if it could catch fire.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11680803
2008 Buick LucerneElectrical systemSeats & seat beltsFire

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 back. Smoke started coming from the seat and we all rushed out of the car while the seat was on fire. my husband pulled the seat out and put the fire out. I was not aware the battery is located under the back seat. I...

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had the car towed and inspected by a mechanic. I was told the battery does not have a cover so the metal from the seat was touching the battery causing the fire. The battery is a top post battery that is recommended for this vehicle. I can find no information about a battery cover. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have photos and the report from the mechanic but I'm having trouble uploading them

Filed Incident Electrical system · SeatsNHTSA 11668301
2010 Buick LucerneElectrical systemFire

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that there was a burning odor in the cabin of the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed the contact that the fuse box was overheating and beginning to melt. The fuse box relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer contacted the dealer, who confirmed it was a known issue and that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed there were no recalls. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11666345
2008 Buick LucerneElectrical system

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 yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11657304
2009 Buick LucerneElectrical system

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed to turn over. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspection he became aware that one of the relays from the electric fuel pump under the rear passenger's seat needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the fuel pump relay prong base had melted due to overheating. In addition, the contact stated that the fuse was a 10.01 AMP instead of a 5 AMP which could have caused...

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the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred 2 days later. The manufacturer was made not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11623101
2008 Buick LucerneElectrical systemFuel systemFire

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 catches fire under the back seat. Fuse box has been replaced before and continues to have issues and melts, causing the vehicle to die in mid traffic, does at stop lights or even just parked and running it dies out and...

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smells like burning plastic. The fuse box has caught fire several times. The issue has been confirmed by several mechanics and dealerships. Also there is a history of electrical problems with the rear fuse box in carfax. There was no warning, and now the check engine light is illuminated. We bought the vehicle last year in June of 2024. There seem to be no problems at the time until shortly after we had bought the vehicle. Turns out there's a long history of electrical problems involving the rear fuse box with this vehicle. I have uploaded screenshots of the car report on this vehicle. There are more complaints.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11613680
2006 Buick LucerneElectrical systemAirbags

The airbag lights on and there is an electrical issue also that causes the car to smoke and nearly catch fire, as soon as the battery is reconnected. Therefore rendering it non drivable. It's the same problems that are associated with the 2006 Lucern,s. When i look up the year make and model it says there should be a recall but once you put in the vin it nothing comes up.The vehicle is readily available upon request but has not been inspected by anyone else.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11611202
2009 Buick LucerneElectrical systemFuel system

The car died suddenly and would not start, with no warnings or codes. Towed it to a Midas repair shop and it was diagnosed as a corroded Low Profile Fuel Pump relay. This was replaced, and the car ran fine for 3 days before going dead in the middle of driving and left me stranded in an intersection. Had to get it towed back to Midas where it was more accurately diagnosed that the issue with the relay was being caused by a faulty Rear Electrical Center. Both of these parts have been recalled, and I have only owned...

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this car for a little over a year. It has only around 40,000 miles on it. Despite this recall, upon taking the car to the local Buick dealership, they stated they could not cover the recall due to it being expired before I even owned the car. I do not understand how it is right or fair for this to have to be paid out of pocket, for $183.53 and $818.81 respectively, when it is not my fault, it is a faulty GM parts issue, and GM stated they will not stand behind their product and cover the recall despite the evident risk to my safety if I was to continue driving the car without repair. I understand it is expired, but I fail to see how this is ethical when the part is still faulty to the point of being dangerous.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11605954
2008 Buick LucerneElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V355000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed the vehicle lost motive power with the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11600153
2008 Buick LucerneElectrical system

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that immediately after his wife had started the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently lost power and was unable to be restarted. After a visual inspection of the battery compartment, the contact observed that the fuse relay showed signs of an electrical fire. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11592866
2008 Buick LucerneElectrical system

Vehicle shuts off due to fuel pump relay connection problem which is due to the back seat rubbing against the fuse box

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11581339
2011 Buick LucerneSuspensionElectrical systemBrakes

Several malfunction indicator lights in dash appeared suddenly. Car would not start after shutting off. Finally started and drove to repair shop. Diagnosed as faulty ride height sensor. Shop searched for part at several dealers and online and found the part was discontinued in 2021. I contacted Buick and was offered $1500 off on a new GM car. I have not received any suggestions on how to repair the car or remove malfunction indicator lights which I specifically asked for. The repair shop is waiting for me to find...

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the part and I have not been able to find one. Dealers have no answer and neither does Buick. The repair shop says it will start if sensor is unplugged but suspension will not work and dash will still have malfunction indicator lights. It is my opinion to operate under these conditions, it would definitely be hazardous.

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical system · Service brakesNHTSA 11579026

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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