9.5
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 984 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The instrument panel is very difficult to read during daylight hours. You can only read the odometer. You can't read the tach and the fuel and engine temp gauges. At night with the dash lights on everything is fine. The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu has the same type of instrument panel but does not have this problem due to lighting in the gauges during the day and night.
- Daytona Beach, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. During the daytime hours, the components on the instrument control panel could not be seen because they were too dark. The dealer and manufacturer kept putting him off and would not assist. The current mileage was 15,000 and failure mileage was 500. Updated 04/03/08.
- Sheldon, IA, USA
2006 Buick Lucerne with instrument panel defects. Consumer states that the instrument panel has chrome plated gadgets and when the sun hits the dashboard it shocks his eyes. The consumer also stated the fake wood trim reflects badly.
- San Diego, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. Whenever the vehicle is driven at any speed during the daytime, the contact cannot read the instrument panel gauges, mainly the speedometer. The dealer has not been notified. The current mileage was 9,200 and failure mileage was 200. The dealer informed the consumer they had a module that would increase the intensity of the dash lights. Updated 11/06/07.
- Fon Du Lac, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. The entire instrument panel was difficult to read in the day light because the lights were white. At night, the lights are green and very clear. The dealer was unable to make any repairs. The failure mileage was 200 and current mileage was 13,700. Updated 01/02/08. Updated 12/12/07
- Miami , FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the instrument panel illuminates, but is very dim. The failure has caused him to lose Focus while driving because he is trying to read the gauges. The dealer acknowledges the failure, but stated that a remedy is unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 400. Updated 6/16/08 updated 06/16/08
- Modesto, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that he was unable to see the left side of the speedometer, while driving between 10-50 mph during the daytime. The dealer replaced the remote sensor, but the failure continued. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was designed that way and nothing could be done. The current mileage is 5,430 and failure mileage was 2,700. The cuise control looses speed. Updated 07/19/07.
- West Palm Beach, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle's dashboard indicator lights were not visible while driving in sunny conditions. However, the dashboard indicator lights illuminated in the evenings. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. Approximately four months later, the vehicle was brought to another dealer. The dealer replaced the lighting panel as a correction issued by Buick in technical servic ebulletin #189. The contact stated that the panel replacement did not solve the failure. The current and failure mileage were 5,800. Spoke with consumer 10/16/07 was told to disregard complaint, vehicle has been repaired.
- Monroe Township, NJ, USA
Buick Lucerne speedometer is impossible to read* the consumer stated the speedometer was impossible to read during daylight hours. When the consumer did get a new speedometer, the consumer still could not see it.
- Shoreline, WA, USA
Instrument gauges do not give accurate readings.
- Lexington, MA, USA
I purchased a new 2006 Buick Lucerne cxl, the dash board data showing the speedometer, odometer, etc., is lighted at night and inclement weather. On sunny days the lights go out, all the items mentioned are not visible. It creates a hazard since it is not possible to tell the speed. My husband got a speeding ticket for traveling at 9 mph above the posted limit. The potential for an accident is exacerbated because reading any of the data while driving is impossible. Also the passenger's view of these items is obscured so that the ability to act as a co- Pilot is eliminated. It seems to me that the device that turns these lights off could be modified to keep them lit. I entered a complaint the same week I purchased the car and nothing has been done, nor can I get any information from Buick to indicate they are working on a solution.
- Monroe Township, NJ, USA
: the contact stated while traveling various speeds during the day, the interior lights in the vehicle did not work properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined the instrument panel was working properly by the manufacturer's design. There were no repairs made. The manufacturer was contacted and expressed that there were many complaints in regards to this problem and this matter would be looked into. The manufacturer did not provide further assistance. The consumer stated after the vehicle is in the sunlight for a period of time, the dash lights dim, he is unable to read the intrument panel, such as the speedometer and other insturments. Updated 12/12/06.
- Granbury, TX, USA
: the contact stated the vehicle's gauges were intermittently difficult to read due to sun glare. The vehicle was taken into the dealer, who determined the same thing and attempted to repair the problem, but was unsuccessful. The contact noticed a similar complaint ODI id # 10150699 concerning the interior lighting.
- Bella Vista, AR, USA
Dash instruments and gauges are not visible in daytime. Run off road trying to see speedometer to set cruise control. Dash lights are completely off in daylight, making it impossible to see dash instruments. Contacted dealer and was told that there is nothing they can do. Contacted GM and they tell me that it is a design flaw and it is not covered by warranty. I have found out that others have had same problem. It is on Buick Lucerne 2006, also understand 2007's have same problem. It is not on all cars as I understand it. It is dangerous to operate car. May cause to run off road or cross center and have wreck trying to figure out what speed car is going. Needs to be fixed.
- Sabetha, KS, USA
Unable to see instrument panel, speedometer, gas gauge during the day. Lack of lighting during the day.
- Pittsford, NY, USA
: the contact stated during daylight hours the illumination on the dash could not be seen and the gauges were not visible. The dealer was alerted. Updated 09/05/06.
- Erie, PA, USA
: the contact stated the dashboard lights were dim during the day and the instrument panel was not readable. The dealership determined that was how the vehicle was manufactured.
- Palos Verdes Estates, CA, USA
: the contact stated that the backlighting for the instrument panel darkened making it difficult to read the dash gauges. The contact must Focus on the instrument panel, while trying to read the gauges since they are poorly illuminated. The service dealer agreed there was a problem and the manufacturer was contacted. Updated 8/16/2006 - the instrument dose not have a light that illuminates the panel during the day.
- Ormond Beach, FL, USA
: the contact stated, the backlighting for the instrument panel is not sufficient enough to read the instruments in daylight hours which takes ones attention from the road. The manufacturer was contacted. 08/04/06 contact called Buick customer service 7-18-06, they said there was a problem but probably would not be corrected until the 2007 model vehicles came out. 1-800-521-3300.
- El Paso, TX, USA
- Lees Summit, MO, USA