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Research · Large Cars

2011 Buick LucerneRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 49 owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Lucerne. Most complaints involve electrical system (23) and vehicle speed control (5). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 3–4 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
18–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
3–4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2014
Owner complaints
49
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
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 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

49 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2011 – Apr 2026
  1. Electrical system23
  2. Vehicle speed control5
  3. Fuel/propulsion system4
  4. Service brakes4
  5. Engine3
  6. Power train3
  7. Engine and engine cooling3
  8. Structure2
  9. Tires2

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
3
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

23 reports3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2026Electrical systemODI 11732618

Vehicle speed control

5 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD ACTIVATE AT RANDOM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2015Vehicle speed controlODI 10775970

Fuel/propulsion system

4 reports1 fire
“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 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2026Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11727683
All 2011 Lucerne problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 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 30, 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
172621$3,050423
Lucerne
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152318$3,550494
  • Lucerne
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Lucerne
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Buick Lucerne 4 DR FWD Later Release
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
2 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Overall
3 / 5
Buick Lucerne 4 DR FWD Early Release
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
2 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 700Vehicle 191
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

2011 Lucerne questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Buick Lucerne have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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 2011 Buick Lucerne problems?

Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (23), vehicle speed control (5), fuel/propulsion system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Buick Lucerne get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Buick Lucerne at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Buick Lucerne?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Buick Lucerne 3–4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026