2010 Buick LUCERNE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
56,576 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 39 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 54 complaints (31.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 17 | 31.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 14.8% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 9.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.9% |
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 | 17 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Electrical System: 17; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Steering: 9; Engine: 5; Seats: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2010: 6; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2014: 4; 2015: 10; 2016: 1; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 7; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10302632 · 2010-01-27 (January 27, 2010)
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTRAINTS WERE IMPROPERLY SHAPED. THEY LEANED SO FAR FORWARD THAT HE COULD NOT SIT COMFORTABLY IN HIS SEAT AND WAS HIT IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WHEN HE TRIED TO SIT BACK IN THE SEAT. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE DEALER SWITCHED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEAD RESTS. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326558 · 2010-04-20 (April 20, 2010)
PURCHASED 2010 BUICK LUCERNE IN DEC. 2009. HAVE THE GEAR SHIFT ON STEERING COLUMN. WHEN GEAR SHIFT IS IN DRIVE THE TOTAL ON STAR NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND 1/3 OF RADIO CANNOT BE SEEN. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD AND TURN YOUR BODY TOWARDS CENTER OF CAR TO SEE THE DIRECTIONS FOR NAVIGATION AND ALSO TO SEE DIALS ON RADIO. WROTE A LETTER TO CEO OF GM IN JAN. 2010. AT FIRST, THEY SAID IT WAS MY STATURE THAT I COULD NOT SEE NAVIGATION NOR RADIO. (AM 4' 9") AND THAT IF I WANTED TO RECTIFY THIS SITUATIO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10326558 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10330855 · 2010-05-17 (May 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FAILED SUDDENLY. THE DEALER WAS ON THE WAY TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,213. UPDATED 6/19/10 *CN UPDATED 07/2/10.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,213 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10353404 · 2010-09-01 (September 1, 2010)
I RECENTLY RENTED A BRAND NEW BUICK LUCERNE CAR FROM ENTERPRISE RENTALS. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS STANDING BY THE REAR OF THE CAR AND I SUSTAINED A PAINFUL BURN ON MY LEG FROM THE CHROME TAILPIPE. SECOND OR THIRD DEGREE BURN APPROX 3X3 CM. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT A CHILD COULD GRAB ONTO THE TAILPIPE AND BE SEVERELY BURNED. I HAVE PHOTOS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10353404 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10364188 · 2010-11-05 (November 5, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO DRIVE UPHILL. WHILE DRIVING UP THE HILL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BEYOND THE SPEED AT WHICH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET. UPON REACHING THE TOP OF THE HILL, THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED BACK DOWN TO THE INTENDED SPEED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10364188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10373433 · 2010-12-30 (December 30, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE ADJUSTED THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE SEAT WENT BACK DOWN TO THE FLOOR. HE STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SEAT WILL NOT STAY WHERE IT WAS SET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HE STATED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO PURCHASE A PILLOW TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN ON GOING SINCE SEPTEMBER 2010 WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10373433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10408054 · 2011-06-22 (June 22, 2011)
2010 BUICK LUCERNE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD IN THE WINDSHIELD *TGW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10408054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10421370 · 2011-08-24 (August 24, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LUCERNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S HEADREST WAS NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY AND REMAINED TILTED FORWARD WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING TENSION IN THE NECK AREA. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10421370 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V553000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 2010-11-05 (November 5, 2010)
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COULD WEAR THROUGH THE LINE, CAUSING A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.
Consequence: A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V355000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-06-23 (June 23, 2014)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗