Is the 2008 Buick Lucerne a bad year?
218 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Lucerne years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Buick Lucerne are in line with other Lucerne years. Electrical system and fuel system stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Lucerne owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 121 (56%) | 54k–108k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 62 (28%) | 68k–125k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 27 (12%) | 43k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structure | 14 (6%) | 30k–100k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 11 (5%) | 25k–104k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (4%) | 32k–81k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Brakes | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 218 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 26 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 15 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The front engine mount has broken and been replaced two times in under 100k miles. Loud clunk is present on take off, shaking and vibration when accelerating is present too.
The engine it's shutting off while driving, and after it gets cold it will restart, but after driving again another few miles it will shut off again.
In august of 2011 I purchased what was supposed to be a certified pre-owned Buick superior buick.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Buick Lucerne: 3
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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.
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. It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Buick: 272
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Buick Lucerne. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Non-crash engine compartment fires
Neighbouring years
2007 Lucerne: 164 complaints, keep it · 2009 Lucerne: 127 complaints, keep it.
Every Buick Lucerne year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All Lucerne years side by side
Other Buick models: Buick Century · Buick Enclave · Buick Encore · Buick Encore GX · Buick Envision · Buick LaCrosse · Buick LeSabre · Buick Park Avenue · Buick Rainier · Buick Regal · Buick Rendezvous · Buick Terraza · Buick Verano. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Buick Lucerne a bad year?
218 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Lucerne years. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Buick Lucerne?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (121), fuel system (62), engine (27), body structure (14), air bags (11).
How many recalls does the 2008 Buick Lucerne have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-355), Electrical system (NHTSA 10V-240), Electrical system (NHTSA 08V-441). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.