2009 Buick Lacrosse: Problems & Reliability
The 2009 Buick Lacrosse has 106 NHTSA owner complaints, 1,038 manufacturer service bulletins, and 2 recall campaigns on federal record, led by exterior lighting and electrical system issues. Among the 12 Buick Lacrosse model years with federal records, it ranks 7th by combined complaint and bulletin volume.
Sources: NHTSA complaints (ODI), manufacturer service bulletins, recall campaigns, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Updated 2026-11-05 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
106
NHTSA complaints
1,038
Service bulletins
2
Recall campaigns
—
Avg. buyer-paid
Most-reported problem areas on the 2009 Buick Lacrosse
Exterior Lighting — 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Electrical System — 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
Air Bags — 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year.
How the 2009 compares to adjacent years
| Model year | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 (this page) | 106 | 1,038 | 2 | — |
| 2010 | 189 | 1,587 | 2 | — |
Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Buick Lacrosse years to avoid.
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FAQ
Is the 2009 Buick Lacrosse reliable?
The 2009 Buick Lacrosse has 106 NHTSA owner complaints, 1,038 manufacturer service bulletins, and 2 recall campaigns on federal record, led by exterior lighting and electrical system issues. Among the 12 Buick Lacrosse model years with federal records, it ranks 7th by combined complaint and bulletin volume. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Buick Lacrosse?
The most-reported problem areas for the 2009 Buick Lacrosse in NHTSA owner complaints are exterior lighting, electrical system, air bags. Service bulletins (1,038 on file) show what the manufacturer issued repair guidance for.
Does the 2009 Buick Lacrosse have recalls?
Yes — 2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2009 Buick Lacrosse. Recall completion is VIN-specific: run the exact VIN to see whether the work was actually done on the car you're considering.
Is the 2009 Buick Lacrosse a good year to buy?
The 2009 sits mid-pack among Buick Lacrosse model years on the federal record; the 2020 and 2019 years have the cleanest records. Judge the specific car: run the VIN and get an inspection.
How do I check a specific 2009 Buick Lacrosse before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.