The most-reported Lucerne run is 1G4HD57266U (2006 builds) with 20 complaints, 5.6× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 42% of reports; 2006 is the worst model year at 5.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for Lucerne model years 2006–2011.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Lucerne has 228 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 10% of every Lucerne complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G4HD57266U•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 1G4HD57286U•••••• | 2006 | 5 | — | |
| 1G4HD57276U•••••• | 2006 | 1 | — | |
| 1G4HD57228U•••••• | 2008 | 2 | — | |
| 1G4HP57276U•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 1G4HD57288U•••••• | 2008 | 3 | — | |
| 1G4HD57267U•••••• | 2007 | 5 | — | |
| 1G4HD57247U•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 1G4HD57246U•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 1G4HD57206U•••••• | 2006 | 3 | — | |
| 1G4HD57268U•••••• | 2008 | — | 2 | |
| 1G4HD57258U•••••• | 2008 | — | 3 |
Each of the other 216 Lucerne runs has 12 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 30 Lucerne VINs so far, most often 2007, 2011, 2008 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Lucerne the gap between build years is 4×: a 2006 car draws 5.2 complaints per run, a 2010 one 1.3.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 47 | 28 | 3 | |
| 2010 | 45 | 34 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 110 | 35 | 6 | |
| 2008 | 191 | 40 | 11 | |
| 2007 | 141 | 39 | 17 | |
| 2006 | 290 | 56 | 27 |
Heaviest year here is 2006 at 5.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2010 at 1.3.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 42% of everything Buick Lucerne owners report: Electrical System, 361 of 824 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 12 | 40 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 15 | |
| Structure | 9 | 1 | |
| Engine | 2 | 7 | |
| Steering | 9 | — | |
| Air Bags | 44 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 12 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Buick Lucerne; the 6 below cover build years 2006 to 2011. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V355000 | Electrical System:ignition | 2006–2011 |
| 10V240000 | Electrical System | 2006–2009 |
| 08V441000 | Electrical System | 2006–2008 |
| 10V553000 | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables | 2010–2011 |
| 07V468000 | Structure:body:roof And Pillars | 2007 |
| 06V105000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections | 2006 |
14V355000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2006: 8 years on the road before the recall.
The Lucerne against its rivals
The Lucerne draws 3.6 complaints per production run; the Chrysler 300C 5.1, the Ford Crown Victoria 2.7 and the Cadillac DTS 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Lucerne | 824 | 228 | 7.9% | |
| Chrysler 300C | 1,041 | 204 | 1.7% | |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2,428 | 884 | 6.8% | |
| Cadillac DTS | 469 | 116 | 6.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 824 reports on the Buick Lucerne, 7.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Buick Lucerne | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 824 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 65 (7.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 48 (5.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 57 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 36% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Buick Lucerne share of that is 824 complaints over 228 runs, 0.07% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Lucerne VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 824 NHTSA complaints from 228 Lucerne runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Lucerne production run has the most complaints?
1G4HD57266U, a 2006 build, with 20 complaints. The typical Lucerne run has 3.6.
Which Lucerne years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2006 is heaviest at 5.2 complaints per run and 2010 lightest at 1.3.
Does the Lucerne get more complaints than the Chrysler 300C?
No: 3.6 complaints per production run for the Lucerne against 5.1 for the Chrysler 300C.
How many Lucerne complaints involve a crash?
7.9% of 824 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 48 involved a fire.
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