Selling a dead or junk Buick Lucerne

A Lucerne with wiring trouble, a dead engine or years of sitting can go as it is. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

What the Lucerne is

Wikipedia calls it Buick's top-of-the-line sedan, named for the city of Lucerne in Switzerland. It replaced the LeSabre and was built from 2005 to June 15, 2011 at GM's Detroit/Hamtramck plant, on the same line as the Cadillac DTS. The V6 is the 3.8-liter 3800 Series III with a 4-speed 4T65-E automatic. NHTSA recall notices also refer to Lucernes with a V8.

On safety ratings, Wikipedia reports a Good score in the IIHS front test and Acceptable in the side test. It adds that the IIHS found the 2006-08 Lucerne had the highest fatality rate in the large 4-door car class.

Problems by model year

2006: the first year, and the most complaints

The 2006 has 330 complaints, a third of the total. Electrical leads with 84, but this is also the year structure (44) and steering (30) show up strongly. Recall 06V105 covers V8 cars whose power steering hose connectors may not have been crimped properly, which can leak fluid. Dealers replace the power steering gear inlet hose. That campaign of 12,862 vehicles lists Buick and Cadillac contacts.

2007: air bags and wheels join the list

The 2007 has 164 complaints: electrical 50, air bags 21, wheels 13. Recall 07V468 dealt with a sunroof that didn't meet the federal standard for power-closing panels. Dealers install a wire harness. The campaign covered 16,677 vehicles and names a Cadillac contact, so other models are in that count.

2008-2009: electrical complaints peak, and so do fires

On the 2008, 110 of 218 complaints name the electrical system, and 26 report a fire, the most of any Lucerne year. On the 2009, 64 of 128 name electrical, and 17 report a fire.

Two big GM electrical recalls reach these cars:

• 08V441 (2006-2008): dealers install a wire harness with an in-line fuse. The campaign covered 857,735 vehicles, including the Cadillac DTS, Hummer H2, Escalade, Silverado, Tahoe and GMC Acadia.
• 10V240 (2006-2009): dealers permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. The campaign covered 1,365,070 vehicles across many GM models, the Enclave and CTS among them.

2010-2011: fewer cars, fewer complaints

The last two years have 54 and 49 complaints. Recall 10V553 covers 2010-2011 V8 cars where the starter or alternator cable touches the power steering return line. Dealers secure or reroute the lines. Recall 14V355, for 2006-2011, deals with ignition keys and the air bag system. Until it's done, GM's notice says to keep only the ignition key on the ring. That 3,141,731 figure counts every vehicle in the campaign, not only Lucernes.

Complaints and recalls by year

This is each Lucerne year's complaint count at NHTSA on October 10, 2026. Building stopped in June 2011, so the 2010 and 2011 Lucerne have the fewest years of owner reports behind them. A recall can count in more than one year.

Repair or sell?

Electrical faults are the Lucerne's pattern. They can be cheap or they can be a long hunt. Decide with numbers, not hope.

• Check all six recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The 08V441 and 10V240 work is electrical, and an older car may have missed it.
• Get a written diagnosis before paying for parts. Our electrical problems guide covers when chasing a fault stops making sense.
• Set the quote against the running value. If it comes close, repairs cost more than it is worth explains the other route.
• Sitting for years? Batteries, tires and fuel go bad. See car sitting for years.

Selling it whole

1. Write down your Lucerne's VIN, its mileage and the trouble it has.
2. Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where the Lucerne is: a garage, a driveway or a repair shop lot. Mention flat tires or a car that won't go into neutral so the right truck shows up. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Have the title and your ID ready. If the title isn't in your name, read car not in your name. Plates and insurance afterward: after you sell.

More big Buicks: the LeSabre, LaCrosse and Park Avenue, or every Buick page.