The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
Better than average · most complaints: airbags
23 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Toyota Avalon 2002006 Chevrolet Impala 622006 Nissan Maxima 104
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Buick LaCrosse
- Headlights92 complaintsmostly at 68,000–129,000 miles (109,000–208,000 km)
- Engine stalling12 complaintsmostly at 46,000–148,000 miles (75,000–238,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor10 complaintsmostly at 59,000–83,000 miles (95,000–134,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 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
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V519000 (lights), 14V355000 (electrical) and 09E005000 (steering) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Buick sent dealers 713 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “L26,l32, l67 excessive oil consumption (replace exhaust valve stem seals)”?
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 23 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 0K to 16K miles (1K to 26K km) on the car (13 of all 23 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
2006 Buick LaCrosse with defective passenger airbag sensor. Consumer states that the light will go from off to on at any time while someone who weighs more then 125 pounds is in the front passenger seat.
2006 Buick LaCrosse owner · NHTSA complaint 10229546
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 713 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- L26,l32, l67 excessive oil consumption (replace exhaust valve stem seals)
- Coolant leak at rear of engine
- Engine leaking coolant
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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 4 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.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of headlights2017–2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
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. 2006 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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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-lacrosse/?y=2006" 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/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Buick LaCrosse reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 51; 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 2006 Buick LaCrosse problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (35%), engine (13%) and visibility (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Buick LaCrosse have?
4 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 2006 Buick LaCrosse get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2006 Buick LaCrosse have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 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 2006 Buick LaCrosse have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Buick LaCrosse year than the 2006?
Not nearby: the 2006 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Buick LaCrosse years within 3 model years of it. 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