8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$770
Average Mileage:
93,950 miles
Total Complaints:
11 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace the fuse block (5 reports)
  2. replaced fuel/relay block assembly (3 reports)
  3. not sure (2 reports)
  4. replace fuse block (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Buick Lucerne:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #11

Oct 072018

Lucerne 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,950 miles

Bought the Car in August of 2018, by October 2018 had to jump it in order for it to start. At first the problem was every two days, as of today May 9, 2020, I have to jump it everyday. In January of 2019 I received a recall letter from GM stating my vehicle was on a recall list because the rear seat bracket could contact the vehicle's Rear Electrical Center (REC) which can damage electrical components which could cause battery to drain, a no start condition or a stall. I pursued the recall letter and took the car to a Certified Buick Dealer in 2019 for the recall repair and was told they couldn't find a problem and that the recall had expired. I spoke to GM on several occasions and was also told the recall had expired. I replaced the battery twice, each time the car will start for about 4 days and then I'm back to jumping it again. In May of 2020 I took it to another certified Buick Dealer and they tell me that the negative and positive battery cables will need to be replaced for $1310 and that was just for starters. The battery died overnight while the car was at the dealership and they had to jump it. I want to pursue GM legally as it is not my fault that the previous owner did not pursue the claim, and if they were not going to honor the recall, why send the letter to me.

- sdw19143, Philadelphia, US

problem #10

Nov 012017

Lucerne CXL 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

FUSE BOX DEFECTIVE

Again...Buick should have recalled ...I wrote to GM. And they sent me a letter back. Gave my vin number,said this car has no recalls. I said no kidding, that's why I'm writing to them in first place asking them why wasn't Lucerne ever recalled?

All I got was a run around. I think more people should write GM. They made it sound like I was only one complaining about this problem. Had Buicks for 30 years. Loved my GM fraid Buicks don't make them like they used to.

I was wondering did anyone with this electrical problem ever get car fixed permanently?

- chapsllc2, Capitol Heights,, US

problem #9

Sep 072017

Lucerne

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

So in July 2017, my 2008 Lucerne would not start. Checked the battery, that was fine, and eventually got it running long enough to get it to a mechanic. While there, I explained the issue and the car died in the parking lot again. They kept the car for a week and ran every test they could think of, and found nothing wrong.

Fast forward to Sept 2017, same thing, car randomly dies in the parking lot after just being serviced for another minor issue. Had to have it towed, this time to a Buick dealership. Come to find out the back fuse block was melted, messing with the fuel pump. From doing some extensive research, it looks like this is far from unique for these vehicles. Very thankful it didn't start a fire or stall on me when driving, but the manufacturer should be fixing this and recalling. So ridiculous. $675+ dollars later I'm hoping it's fixed and it will no longer be an issue.

- lmc209, Madison, US

problem #8

Jul 262017

(reported on)

Lucerne LX 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,250 miles

Car cranks but won't start, car starts after sitting, relay was hot. Couldn't touch it. Used 3 relays . Car shows no codes. Went to garage,mechanic couldn't figure it out, car is going to another garage who specializes in electrical problems. Car started one day went to bank, car wouldn't start again had to be towed. Again...Buick should have recalled ...I wrote to GM. And they sent me a letter back. Gave my vin number,said this car has no recalls. I said no kidding, that's why I'm writing to them in first place asking them why wasn't Lucerne ever recalled?

All I got was a run around. I think more people should write GM. They made it sound like I was only one complaining about this problem. Had Buicks for 30 years. Loved my 2005 LaSabre. Afraid Buicks don't make them like they used to.

I was wondering did anyone with this electrical, problem ever get car fixed permanently?

- Dianeu T., Nanticoke, US

problem #7

Dec 052016

Lucerne CXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,800 miles

Car put me down 3 days in a row. Had to have someone jump me off. Crank fine when cold. I go to pick up kids at school after sitting in car line, the car won't crank. Took it to Chev Dealership they had it a week and said they could not fine a problem. It will lose power at time and all the lights on the dash will go out. Noticed on day that there was a humming I could hear coming from the dash when I turned the car off. Was just sitting and waiting on the children. Turn everything off and took the key out of the switch. Humming did not stop until I open the drivers door.

- connieal, Millbrook, AL, US

problem #6

Oct 172016

Lucerne CXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,782 miles

The need of a recall of fusebox replacement with safe redesigned fuse box. safety issue peoples lives at risk

Update from Dec 8, 2016: replaced relay burn marks after an additional 300 miles

must replace fuse block $300

safety issue

- Jeff V., Akron, OH, US

problem #5

Jan 232016

Lucerne CXL Limited V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Thursday, 01/14/2016 Car was cranking but would not start. After 30 mins it finally started. Called Buick service department and they said to have it towed to Buick service dept. and was told they found no trouble.

Jan. 23 & 24th, car would not start. Jan.25th had to have car towed to same Buick service dept. The service dept. then determined there was no fuel pressure due to a melted fuse box which is not covered under my extended warranty. The technician was unable to tell me what caused the melting nor could they explain why it was not identified the first time.

Joseph Clodfelter, Summerville, SC, USA

- Joseph C., Summerville, SC, US

problem #4

Nov 292015

Lucerne Super V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,400 miles

Car would not start. Would turn over but no start. Had towed to garage. Told me it was fuel pump. Had fixed for $616 including towing. A week later same thing car would not start. Had it towed again to same garage. This time they said fuse box and relay switch were fried. He said he had replaced relay switch first time because it looked burnet. Fuel pump ok this time. Now I wonder if this will happen again. Went to dealer to complain ( Cole's Buick , Cadillac) but they really did not care about my problem. Told the general manager that this is a real problem that many other people have experienced. The fuse box could start a fire and it is under the back seat. He could of cared less. The problem is mine. I'm just scared this could happen again. GM has to know about this problem with the fuse box as it is probably the same one they put in most of their models. Why this is happening who knows, but GM has to correct this problem before someone is killed.

RJA Portage, MIO

- Richard A., Portage, MI, US

problem #3

Jul 282015

Lucerne CX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,251 miles

My wife and I were visiting in a distant city (175 miles away) and staying in a motel. We went out the next morning to leaving and the car would not start. It was full of gas, but all the engine would do was spin. I had to call a tow truck and we had to stay an extra night in the motel. The sixty dollar tow bill was included in the total bill, but not the motel and extra miles.

- Herb H., Aberdeen, MS, US

problem #2

Jun 222015

Lucerne CX 3800,V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

Turn the key and the starter runs fine. Engine will not fire. (Battery is fine and so is starter.) Had to have car

towed. Mechanic states cause is corroded fuse block. Claims it is a"known and almost universal" problem with Lucerne's. Problem is so common the replacement parts are in very short supply from GM and there is no aftermarket part available. Only solution is to replace the main fuse block. He tells me to make sure I keep the receipt/paperwork because he feels there will be a recall because the problem is so bad (widespread).

Update from Jun 27, 2015: Cost to fix (including tow, parts, labor and tax) $486.00. Shop showed me the old part - lots of corrosion and an area that was starting to burn through. Fortunately it failed before it caught on fire. Note: this is the fuse block that is located under the back seat, NOT the one under the hood.

- akerr, Rochester, NY, US

problem #1

Mar 082015

Lucerne

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

My car was stranded in a park lot overnight. Would not start. Had to tow car to garage for repairs.

- ncarperos, Jolietil, IL, US