2008 Buick Lacrosse/Allure
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 84 of 250 complaints (34%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed held steady at 250 in both 2007 and 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950–4,100 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,700–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20–21 | 19–21 | 19–21 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17 / 25–28 | 17 / 25–27 | 16–17 / 24–28 | 16–17 / 24–28 | 16–19 / 25–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–444 | 423–444 | 423–468 | 423–468 | 386–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 299 | 250 | 250 | 106 | 189 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 16 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 7 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 9 | |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Buick Lacrosse/Allure have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Buick Lacrosse/Allure?
Electrical: 84 of 250 NHTSA complaints (34%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Buick Lacrosse/Allure get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Buick Lacrosse/Allure?
EPA estimates $2,950–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 84 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 16 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 78 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 63 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 15V519000 · Aug 14, 2015
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
Consequence: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014
Defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.