2008 Buick Lucerne Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Buick Lucerne.

20072009
Complaints
320
Crashes
19
Fires
44
Injuries
10
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2008 Buick Lucerne Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1107 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:81,605 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:18
#250 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:95,062 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:9
#324 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:75,252 mi
Fires:5
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Buick Lucerne.

Electrical Faults
107
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
18
Avg Miles
81,605
Fuel System
50
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
9
Avg Miles
95,062
Engine Problems
24
complaints
Crashes
Fires
5
Avg Miles
75,252
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
86,378
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
47,798
Steering Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
48,231
Seat-Related Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
88,624
Gasoline Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,299
Fuel Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
88,933
Instrument Cluster
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
3,172
Wiring & Fuses
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,340
Electronic Stability Control
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
92,809
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,906
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
50,014
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Door
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Propulsion System:Fuses, Relays, Contacts, And Shunts
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Interior Lighting
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Buick Lucerne. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Buick Lucerne

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,506,801 vehicles.

14V355000Electrical System:ignition
~3,141,731 affected

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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

10V240000Electrical System
~1,365,070 affected

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 EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Other Buick Lucerne Years

2008 Buick Lucerne — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Buick Lucerne reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Buick Lucerne has 320 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 107 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (107 complaints, avg 81,605 mi); Fuel System (50 complaints, avg 95,062 mi); Engine Problems (24 complaints, avg 75,252 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 78,195 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Buick Lucerne include 19 crash-related reports, 44 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Buick Lucerne have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,506,801 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Buick Lucerne?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Buick Lucerne reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Buick Lucerne

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