2011 Buick LUCERNE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
38,740 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 36 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 49 complaints (46.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 26.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 22.4% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 12.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Electrical System: 23; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Engine: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 2; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2011: 8; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 8; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 5; 2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10629093 · 2014-08-28 (August 28, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10629093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10629330 · 2014-08-29 (August 29, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10629330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11011904 · 2017-08-01 (August 1, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY HAD OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11011904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11081971 · 2018-03-29 (March 29, 2018)
ON MARCH 28TH, 2018 MY VEHICLE A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE WITH 162,554 MILES ON IT, WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER MAKING A TWENTY-MILE TRIP TO TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN TO SCHOOL. I PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN FRONT OF MY MOTHER'S HOUSE TO VISIT, AND UPON MY ATTEMPT TO LEAVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS, STRANGE NOISES, OR SMELLS THAT WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THE FUSE BOX FAILURE, LEADING TO THE BOX MELTING. WHEN A BATTERY GOES BAD, IT SMELLS LIKE SPOILED EGGS, HOWEVER IN THE CASE OF MY VEHICLES FUSE BOX MELTING THERE WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 162,544 miles reported. Look up ODI 11081971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10407622 · 2011-06-20 (June 20, 2011)
NEW BUICK LUCERNE DOES NOT HAVE ROOM FOR A SIZE 12 SHOE TO PROPERLY OPERATE THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE PANEL UNDER THE DASHBOARD IS IN THE CORRECT POSITION. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. AT TIMES, THE SITUATION PREVENTS PROPER APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10648256 · 2014-10-16 (October 16, 2014)
BACKGROUND - I JUST WENT THROUGH THE IGNITION RECALL ON MY 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND I AM COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR NOW. THEN I RECEIVED RECALL 14299 ON MY 2011 BUICK LUCERNE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 14V355) INVOLVING A SIMILAR IGNITION ISSUE. IT ALSO MENTIONED THE WEIGHT ISSUE OF ITEMS HANGING ON THE KEY CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, BRAKING, ETC. THE RECALL PROVIDED THE SAME INTERIM INSTRUCTIONS AS THE COBALT, REMOVE EVERYTHING FROM THE KEY INCLUDING THE FOB. I TOOK MY BUICK LUCERNE IN FOR THE RECALL AND FOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,480 miles reported. Look up ODI 10648256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10633701 · 2014-09-16 (September 16, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,723.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,723 miles reported. Look up ODI 10633701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10904908 · 2016-09-09 (September 9, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. IT TOOK THE CONTACT SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND, EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SERVICED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUF…
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10904908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10426438 · 2011-09-20 (September 20, 2011)
WHILE DRIVE ON FREEWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH; WENT INTO A SLIT LEFT CORNER AND UPON EXITING THE CORNER THE STEERING HUNG UP AND WOULD NOT TURN BACK TO THE RIGHT. WITH MUCH PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THERE WAS A POP IN THE STEERING AND THE CAR RESPONDED TO THE RIGHT. WITH IN A MINUTE ON THE NEXT CORNER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN 10 MILES AND PARKED ABOUT 20 MINUTES. WHILE DRIVING THOUGHT THE PARKING LOT ON A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN IT HAPPENED A 3RD TIME AND TOOK MORE FORCE TO GET THE STEERING TO FREE UP TO THE RIGHT. IT …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10426438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459092 · 2012-05-21 (May 21, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 3 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH. HE MADE A ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DEGREE TURN AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS KNEE AND HAND ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10650820 · 2014-10-28 (October 28, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN--WHEN I ACCELERATED TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR SHIFTED INTO THE GEAR FOR DRIVING IN THE SNOW. THE GEAR SHIFT STILL WAS IN DRIVE. IN THE SNOW DRIVE GEAR YOU GET A BUMPY RIDE AND CAN ONLY GO 30 MPH. I HAD ON STAR AT THAT TIME AND THEY TOLD ME TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND IT WOULD GET ME OUT OF THAT GEAR. I DID THAT TWICE AND IT WORKED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A DEALER IN FLORIDA AND THEY SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY FUSE--WHICH THEY REPLACED. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10650820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10897652 · 2016-08-22 (August 22, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LUCERNE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT IN SYNC WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE TRAVEL IN THE THIRD CLUTCH PISTON. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897652 at NHTSA ↗