2008 Buick Lucerne: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Buick Lucerne: 3 recalls, 218 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #08V441000 · 2008 · 857,735 vehicles
What's wrong: A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater May overheat the control-circuit ground wire.
Why it matters: This May cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008.
Electrical Vehicle recall #10V240000 · 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles
What's wrong: A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor…
Why it matters: It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire May occur.
The fix: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on June 11, 2010.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V355000 · 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 26 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (121): the most common themes are electrical failure (83), fire / smoke (37), stalls / loses power (32).
- Fuel & propulsion (50): the most common themes are electrical failure (33), fire / smoke (21), stalls / loses power (12).
- Engine (24): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (12), electrical failure (6), fire / smoke (6).
- Body & structure (14): the most common themes are door / lock issues (8).
The 2008 Buick Lucerne has 218 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 6 Lucerne model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 157). Complaints peaked in 2014 (42 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 66,385 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (164 complaints, 4 recalls), 2009 (128 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Buick Lucerne.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Buick Lucerne have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Buick Lucerne. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Buick Lucerne problems?
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (121), fuel & propulsion (50), engine (24).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Buick Lucerne get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Buick Lucerne repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.