The Lemon Index
20061st generation
67 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota Avalon 1002005 Chevrolet Impala 812005 Nissan Maxima 130
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Buick LaCrosse
- Headlights50 complaintsmostly at 50,000–107,000 miles (80,000–172,000 km)
- Engine stalling23 complaintsmostly at 36,000–132,000 miles (57,000–212,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Buick LaCrosse (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 19,000 miles (1,600–31,000 km) (the middle half of the 49 complaints, of all 67 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V519000 (lights), 14V355000 (electrical) and 09E005000 (steering) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Buick sent dealers 576 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Blower motor inoperative or intermittent, blower speed may drop or blower continues to run…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 67 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 19K miles (2K to 31K km) on the car (49 of all 67 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Dt: received a recall notice a month ago on the brakes. They called the local dealer 3 times, and he said Buick had no parts to fix this car.
2005 Buick LaCrosse owner · NHTSA complaint 10121281
More owner reports
The consumer received a recall letter in the mail regarding a problem with the brakes.
NHTSA complaint 10118794
The consumer stated Buick sent a letter about a problem with the brakes but the dealer will not have the parts for several weeks. If you send the letter, then send the parts.
NHTSA complaint 10118802
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 576 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Blower motor inoperative or intermittent, blower speed may drop or blower continues to run…
- L26,l32, l67 excessive oil consumption (replace exhaust valve stem seals)
- Informational on 4t65-e mn7, m15 and m76 front wheel drive automatic transmission valve body…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Lights · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may caus.
- Steering · recall issued 2009
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIO…
Show all 5 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED.
- Brakes · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE BRAKE PUSHROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM PIN COULD HAVE BEEN BENT WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
Every Buick LaCrosse year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-lacrosse/?y=2005" title="Buick LaCrosse reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-lacrosse/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Buick LaCrosse reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 92; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick LaCrosse year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2015.
What are the most common 2005 Buick LaCrosse problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (30%), electrical (16%) and body structure (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Buick LaCrosse have?
5 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Buick LaCrosse get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Buick LaCrosse problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 19,000 miles (1,600–31,000 km) (the middle half of the 49 complaints, of all 67 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Buick LaCrosse have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Buick LaCrosse cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Buick LaCrosse have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Buick LaCrosse year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2006 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2015 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works