NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2008 Buick Lucerne (Page 1 of 5)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 15
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,526 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Buick Lucerne electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Buick Lucerne Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #91

Apr 202022

Lucerne

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The fuel pump relay kept burning out. And caused the fuse box terminal heat damage. Almost started on fire and started smoking. Vehicle stalled out on the freeway and the Dept of Public safety towed my vehicle off the freeway.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #90

Mar 182022

Lucerne

  • miles
The crank shaft sensor went out and caused the steering and brakes to go out. It took out all communications with the car. I had had intermittent problems with it as it went out, and it didn't throw a code showing what the problem was. (I took it to AAMCO once and Goodyear twice before they could identify the problem.) (Some Buick dealers do not work on cars over 10 years, and some do not use off-market parts when GM has chosen to stop making replacement parts, such as the rack and pinion/steering gear. Their goal is to sell cars, not maintain.) At 150,000+ miles, sensors go out, and I expect to replace them. What I don't expect is deliberate design that will cause the vehicle to be or cause damage(d). This is a design flaw by GM and I wonder how many mystery crashes can be related to this.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #89

Jul 272021

Lucerne

  • miles
1. Fuse box was replaced, yes. 4th repair shop replaced. I say only time will tell for sure. i don't drive every day 2. driving I-95 from VA to MD at speeds of 30+ to 75+ cars driving close behind could have ran into rear causing my car, their car, and multiple other cars to be in major accident with possible multiple deaths. 3. reproduced, no. independent service center, no 4. No. Other - the 4th repair shop inspected vehicle component. 5. No warning lamps. No messages or symptoms, car just stalled and would not start/move and w-€‹hen I tried to start car again car would not start, but had all kinds of warnings lamps lit up. The first time the engine stalled was driving (moving) into entrance of toll booth in Richmond, VA, July 27, 2021 approx. 2:15 pm. additional info: Four (4) times car stalled while driving in traffic without warning, car would not start again had to be towed each time to a repair shop. Three (3) repair shops did not repair the problem. First repair shop charged me approx. $350 +- for repairs. PLUS I had to stay over night in hotel costing me approx. $120+- Total $470 +- Car still had same problem!! Second repair shop did not charge me for repairs, but not sure if any work was done, had to get a car rental to get back to Maryland. s second shop kept car ofr 6 days before working on problem. Car rental cost me $467.27. Total $467.27 Car still had same problem!!! Third repair shop kept car for 5 days, charged me approx. $125.+-, still the car had the same problem. Total $125+- Car still had same problem!!!! Fourth repair shop says he found fuse box to be the problem, repair cost me approx $554+- Total $554 My total expenses are approx. $1,491.20 only time will tell if problem has been fixed, not to mention the extreme emotional stress dealing with delays on repairs and extreme emotional stress driving not knowing when or how car would stall again.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #88

Aug 122021

Lucerne

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

To start things off the car would crank but not start. My wife did some research and these cars have a problem with the fuel pump relay shorting out. So I replaced it and it fixed the problem for a few days. I was driving home from work and the car shut off. I could smell plastic burning. I pulled over and pulled the fuse box cover off which is located under the rear seat and I pulled the relay out and burned my fingers in the process. So something is wrong and it's causing the relay to overheat and melt. There are many people according to carcomplaints.com that have the same issue. I've seen a lot of people saying that GM says that the seat bracket touches the fuse box putting pressure on the relay causing this problem. Well after I replaced the relay I did not put the rear seat on and it still burned out. In my mind it seems to be a fire safety hazard. No check engine lights came on either.

- Caldwell, ID, USA

problem #87

Jun 052021

Lucerne

  • miles
-The electrical system failed, causing the fuel pump to not work properly due to design flaw in the backseat putting pressure on the fuse box which is located under the backseat. The spot where contact is made to the fuse box, is where the fuel pump relay is. Pressure from the seat bracket (with or without a passenger in the seat) causes the pump replay to not make proper contact with the terminal, therefore causing the power to arc and get so hot that the relay starts smoking, melting the relay, fuse box and surrounding fuses and leaving black scorch marks on the inside of the lid to fuse box and making the car smell like burnt plastic. In addition to now having to purchase multiple replacement relays it has also caused additional electrical issues which resulted in having to replace multiple fuses as well as purchase another battery due to theses issues putting added strain on my battery which caused it to drain and not hold a charge any more. Yes the car and parts are available for inspection. -My safety and the safety of others is at risk due to major risk of catching on fire which could happen while driving and therefore cause an accident, could cause one of my passengers, including my child or myself to be severely hurt/burnt. -Yes the issue has been reproduced by many other owners of the same year/make/model as per the hundreds of previous complaints found about the same issue. -No there were no warning lights, signals or messages before the failure. No warning at all.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #86

Jun 262021

Lucerne

  • miles
I keep fixing this car for the last 11 months, and still can not drive it after $5,000 in repairs, the car stops in the middle of the intersection, on the freeway several times. I went to different mechanics, the dealership to, they keep fixing it, charging me, but the car is still not fixed. I'm afraid to drive it because I don't wanna lose my life and to jeopardize another's people lives.The car just stops while I'm driving.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #85

Apr 232021

Lucerne

  • 117,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I first bought the car over a year ago there were 3 different occasions that my car would not start so I contacted the dealership that I bought it from and they explained to me that it was a reoccurring problem with that model for the fuel pump relay to go out and after a couple times of it going out it would ultimately fry the fuse and relay block and it would need to be replaced so that is what they did at the dealership and within they year that I have owned it I have replaced the fuel pump relay 3 times and driving to the parts store last week the car just died in the middle of the street and has not started since. I was told it was due to the hinge on the seat rubbing the side of the fuse and relay box specifically the fuel pump relay that is the cause of the fuse and relay block to short out

- Golden, CO, USA

problem #84

Apr 012021

Lucerne

  • 116,000 miles
Recently replaced fuel pump. After repair, car was still a crank/no start. Replaced fuel pump relay which had obvious burn/scorching evidence, as well as melting around female port on the fuse box. Since then have had to replace 3 other new fuel pump relays due to problem of excessive heat or electrical surge frying the relay. After researching the problem, it was found that the problem is caused by the back seat of the vehicled coming in contact with the top of the fuse box causing the relay to move, causing the relay to work harder to maintain a connection, which in turn creates more current and the resulting heat increase melts the casing in the fuse box and kills the relay. When the relay is compromised in such a way the fuel pump stops operating and the engine gets no gas thus creating a crank/no start if the car is parked or causes the car to stall out if the car is in motion. In reasearching this matter, it is clear that GM has been aware of this situation for over 10 years. There are multitudes of individuals effected by this problem with some of them having smoking or burning issues with the relay. Personally, I have had stall outs while going with the flow of traffic which resulted in vehicle control issues such as braking and steering and excelleration, GM had extended repair period for the issue but failed to notify owners so many were unaware of the repairs or even the issue until the problems occurred. No recall has been initiated by GM even though it is a clear safety issue due to the control issues when stall outs occur and the potential for fires under the seat as the problem progresses. GM refuses to cover repairs to affected vehicles since the courtesy repair order expired and the vehicles are typically out of warranty. Vehicle involved is a 2008 Buick Lucerne but the issue effects other GM cars. GM tsb 15-na-051 for tech directives

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #83

Sep 232019

Lucerne

  • 122,840 miles
Car wouldn't start kept trying to start it and it would make a clicking noise and then all of a sudden a small electrical fire staffed in the fuse box in the rear seat of car

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #82

Sep 012020

Lucerne

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a burning plastic odor was present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who indicated that the fuse box located under the rear seat was hot to the touch and the relays inside had melted causing the fuel pump to overheat and fail. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer courtesy Buick located at 7 auto center dr. Louisville ky was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #81

Jan 202020

Lucerne

  • 72,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the fuse panel located in the rear middle seat was inoperable. The contact was unable to start the vehicle due to the failure. The contact stated that the ABS warning light, brake warning light and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The diagnostic testing information was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #80

Sep 102019

Lucerne

  • miles
Car has gone through 3 fuel pump relay fuses in 3 months last one started on fire just from starting vehicle

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #79

Sep 222019

Lucerne

  • 104,242 miles
Within the last month, my car has burned though 3 fuel pump relays. One connection is bubbling up in a certain spot. The fuse box is hot to the touch, and a glove was needed to pull the fuel relay out and the bubbling is now apparent on the fuse box itself. I had just finished a 260 mile round trip with my sister and when we stopped for food, the car would crank but not start.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #78

Aug 022019

Lucerne

  • 112,000 miles
Car was stationary fuel relay burnt out. We replaced it and new one went out. Thought it was fuel pump. Replaced pump and still wouldn't crank. Realised the fuse block is bad. Saw online where this is a common issue. We are having a hard time finding the correct block. Ordered one from GM online and it was the wrong one. Sent it back. Car has been down for over a month. This should be a recall.

- Hartford, AL, USA

problem #77

Sep 032019

Lucerne

  • 72,000 miles
In the last month and a half my 2008 Buick Lucerne has burned up six fuel pump relays it keeps melting the relays and the fuse block I believe this to be a safety hazard as it could catch on fire this should definitely be recalled

- Lake Jackson, TX, USA

problem #76

Aug 142019

Lucerne

  • 164,000 miles
Rear seat makes contact with top of fuse block cover causing it to push aginst fuel pump relay causing it to overheat and burn out. This relay gets heated to the point that it could present a fire hazard. Due to the heat it generates, it melts the fuse block causing it to have to be replaced. Back seat cannot support weight of an average size person. This problem causes the vehicle to shut down and lose power rendering lose of power steering and power brakes. It is unreprehensible that GM is not made to correct this blatant mistake. This has happened 4 times and the block has been replaced by authorized buic dealer.

- Cabot, AR, USA

problem #75

Jan 102019

Lucerne

  • 124,000 miles
I receive a letter from GM stating that the rear seat brackets may contact the electrical system causing damage including fires and draining of the batter. The letter further gave a very narrow time frame as well as conditions where owners could get reimbursement or repair of the problem which prohibits myself other owners from being able to correct this design defect without incurring sizable repair bills. I have replaced my battery twice because of the draining issues. The vehicle can not stay dormant for more than 2 days before the battery dies. It is unconscionable as well as an unscrupulous business practice to not recall the affected vehicles and have the problem corrected at no costs to the owners. I am lucky that it is just a battery drain, in some cases there have been fires and engine stalls. This is a potential life-threatening problem that should be corrected by GM immediately.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #74

Apr 102019

Lucerne

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the fuse box failed three times in three months. Also, while driving, a burning odor was detected. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, opened the back seat of the vehicle, and noticed that the fuel fuse was burned. The contact replaced the fuse, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the fuel box and fuel pump were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact spoke with murdock Hyundai logan (located at 3131 main St, logan, ut 84341, (888) 494-8023) and the contact was informed that there would be a fee for diagnostic testing and repairs. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Logan, UT, USA

problem #73

May 202019

Lucerne

  • 85,000 miles
Fuse box under the seat overheats and burns out fuel pump relay along with the fuse box. Unsafe if it happens while driving

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #72

Jan 012019

Lucerne

  • 64,000 miles
I received a letter in January, 2019 regarding this vehicle, stating that the "vehicle's rear seat bracket could contact the vehicle's rear electrical center (rec), which can, over time, damage electrical components within the rec enclosure. If damage occurs, the components can melt or overheat, which the customer may detect by a melting odor in the vehicle. Damage could also cause the vehicle's battery to drain, a no-start condition, or a stall." We have had 2 new batteries installed in this vehicle in recent years and I've also smelled the burning smell that they are referring to in this letter. I took the vehicle to shelton Pontiac Buick in rochester, mi to find out if our car had been affected by this condition, and after examining the rec harness, they said that it has been affected and needs repair. They quoted me $720 to repair it. Buick was the one who contacted me regarding this situation, which is unsafe and should be under a recall with no charge to the customer to fix. It is a manufacturer's problem and not due to wear and tear and I believe I should not be charged for this repair because of their faulty design. I have spoken with their customer assurance center many times and have gotten nowhere with them. I also wrote a letter to neelie O'connor, the executive director of Buick's North american contact center and never received a response. She was the person who signed the letter, alerting us to the problem. I do not want this vehicle to be unsafe as I am on the road a lot, going back and forth to detroit for cancer treatments. It needs to be fixed and Buick should pay for it.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

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