The Buick Allure spans 2005–2009 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2006, 2009, 2008 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2005, 2007, 2008. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Buick Allure is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2005 to 2009 across multiple generations.
How to read a Buick Allure VIN — every digit explained
Every Buick Allure carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Buick and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Allure.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Allure, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Buick Allure have?
The Buick Allure has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2005–2009. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Buick Allure
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 2006, 2009, 2008 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2005, 2007, 2008.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Allure | — | Best | |
| 2006 Allure | Exterior Lighting | Avoid | |
| 2007 Allure | — | Best | |
| 2008 Allure | — | Avoid | |
| 2009 Allure | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Buick Allure problems?
The most-reported Buick Allure problems are Other (1 reports), Steering (1 reports) and Structure (1 reports) — out of 4 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
Driving along at 8:30 pm ( darkness) and low beam headlights turned off. High beams worked, no low beam. Very dangerous. I tried the manual switches and could not get the low beams to turn on. Had to drive with high beams to get home.
Steering 1 Read
As i was entering an entrance ramp to the freeway, beginning to accelerate speed, for some reason i pulled back on the steering wheel and discovered the tilt was not working and the entire steering wheel along with the column pulled back nearly six inches, as if would detach.
Structure 1 Read
The passenger door will not open. The electric locks appear to be fine but the door handle will not open the door form the inside or out. This appears to be a huge safety risk as egress would be impossible in a fire/crash. *tr
Fuel System 1 Read
2005 buick allure gas gauge customer states when the gauge is slightly under 1/4 it will drop rapidly to show empty**cc *jb
Other 1 Read
2005 buick allure gas gauge customer states when the gauge is slightly under 1/4 it will drop rapidly to show empty**cc *jb
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Buick Allure specifications & dimensions
The 2009 Buick Allure. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Buick Allure window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Buick Allure cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Allure holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Buick Allure tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Buick Allure get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Buick Allure have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Buick Allure cost to own?
A Buick Allure tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used Allure is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Allure loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Allure ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Buick Allure safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Allure yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Buick Allure last?
A well-maintained Buick Allure typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Buick Allure’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Allure’s VIN free →All Buick Allure model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Buick Allure — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Allure | 0 | — | — |
| 2008 Allure | 0 | — | — |
| 2007 Allure | 0 | — | — |
| 2006 Allure | 0 | — | — |
| 2005 Allure | 0 | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Allure?
By owner-complaint volume, 2006, 2009, 2008 drew the most reports. 2005, 2007, 2008 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Allure have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2005–2009. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Allure last?
A well-maintained Allure typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Allure reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Allure is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Buick Allure warranty?
New Buick models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Buick dealer.
Where is the Buick Allure made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Allure's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Buick may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Allure have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.