Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Buick Lucerne problems
Owners filed 54 complaints about the 2010 Buick Lucerne with NHTSA between Jan 2010 and Aug 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (19).
Complaints
54
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system19
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Steering9
- Seats6
- Engine5
- Structure5
- Service brakes4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Air bags3
- Power train2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Suspension1
- Seat belts1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
3
3
0
4
10
1
5
3
7
3
2
2
1
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
19 reports2 fires2 related recalls
“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.”
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?”
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.”
Seats
6 reports
“INITIAL INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET. DOOR LOCKS POWER CYCLED LOCK/UNLOCK AND THEN THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF. NO WARNING, NO TIME TO MOVE TO OUT OF TRAFFIC OR TURN ON HAZZARD. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK/CHILDCARE ETC. I ALSO TRAVEL OF THE FREEWAY ALOT. THAT WAS THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AND UPON DOING RESEARCH WE FOUND THAT IT MAY BE RELATED TO. RELAY ISSUE DUE TO THE FUZE BOX BEING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. GM CLAIMS THAT BECAUSE A BRACKET USED TO FASTEN THE SEAT IN PLACE INTERFERES WITH THE FUZE BOX AND PRESSES DOWN ON THE FUZE PUMP RELAY AND CAUSES IT TO BURN OUT. AFTER SWITCHING OUT THE RELAYS WITH THE SUGGESTED LOWER PROFILE RELAY, THE CAR DROVE FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN WHEN WE PARKED WE COULDN'T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. UPON LIFTING THE BACK SEAT TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WE SMELLED AND HEARD THE FUEL PUMP RELAY BURNING AND SIZZLING. SINCE THE CAR WAS "SERVICED" BY A BUICK DEALER IN JUNE I'M ASSUMING THAT IT WASN'T ACTUALLY SERVICED THE RELAY WAS JUST REPLACED AND MAYBE A FEW OTHER TWEAKS HERE AND THERE BUT THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. I AM VERY…”
Engine
5 reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the engine shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle restarted independently after 10-15 minutes. The messages "Reduced Engine Power", "Starting Disabled", "Service Throttle", "Service Stabili-trak Soon" were displayed, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 20-30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on two occasions, and the dealer retrieved diagnostic test codes: P2138 and P2122. The dealer replaced the throttle body and the accelerator pedal; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure mainly recurred while making left turns. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could only assist after the vehicle had been taken to the dealer. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the failure had to happen while driving in the presence of a mechanic, then the vehicle could be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…”
Structure
5 reports
“I purchased the car from Buick Spec dealership in Prosser WA on Aug. 2, 2021. The car was sold to me with rocket panel damaged, the rear brakes- rotors needed replaced and one side brake completely gone..the pins frozen. The cars transmission fluid dark dirty..low on oil..no coolant or wiper fluid at purchase. They brought car to me during covid. The door didn't shut properly I assumed the rubber around door needed replaced and I planned to have it repaired until I seen a bulge under my driver's side door.took it in and was told by 2 certified auto body places the rocker panel was damaged. My Car started to shimmy when stopping and now the prior recall of fuse relay box burning caused my car to be currently sitting. I don't understand how they could sell me a car like this and this is my complaints. I want my repairs done and money reimbursed I've already paid for. The dealership said because I purchased car AS IS. they aren't responsible to fix. I've owned the car a little over 3 months. This seems unfair and I want answers!!!”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.