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Research · Large Cars

2010 Buick LucerneRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints for the 2010 Buick Lucerne. Most complaints involve electrical system (19) and fuel/propulsion system (12). The EPA rates it 18–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–20mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2014
Owner complaints
54
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jun 23, 2014NHTSA 14V355000

Electrical system: 12v

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COULD WEAR THROUGH THE LINE, CAUSING A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.

Electrical systemReported Nov 5, 2010NHTSA 10V553000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

54 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2010 – Aug 2025
  1. Electrical system19
  2. Fuel/propulsion system12
  3. Steering9
  4. Seats6
  5. Engine5
  6. Structure5
  7. Service brakes4
  8. Vehicle speed control4
  9. Air bags3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Lucerne model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2006330
2007164
2008218
2009128
201054
201149
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

19 reports2 fires
“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 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2025Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11680803

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“See GM Bulletin # 15-na-051 Vehicle died, required tow, found out due to fuel pump relay per bulletin cited above. Rear seat bracket interfered with fuse box, disabling vehicle requiring tow. Vehicle repaired at owners cost. Due to safety factor involved, the seriousness of the situation, for what portion of the costs of repair will the manufacturer be responsible?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2021Electrical system, Seats, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11435760

Steering

9 reports1 crash
“Power steering leak. Relay in rear fuse box, under back seat, burning out. Possibilty of back seat cushion rubbing on fuse box jarring PS relay affecting connection. Safety issue if lose control of power steering. Safety compromised if unable to start car once relay burns out. Engine has turned over without key inserted/FOB pressed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2023Steering, Electrical systemODI 11546225
All 2010 Lucerne problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.9L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Lucerne
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,200444
Lucerne
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L, FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,200444
Lucerne
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152218$3,550494
  • Lucerne
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Lucerne
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L, FFV
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Lucerne
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 31, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Buick Lucerne as of Oct 31, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 31, 2026Vehicle 5654
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Lucerne questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Buick Lucerne have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Buick Lucerne problems?

Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (19), fuel/propulsion system (12), steering (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Buick Lucerne get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Buick Lucerne at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 31, 2026