Model year guide

2008 Buick LaCrosse

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Buick LaCrosse is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 69 on record.

2008 Buick LaCrosse — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Buick LaCrosse at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints250
Combined20 mpg
Typical price$6,591

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Buick LaCrosse recalls 2

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #15V519000 · 14/08/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #14V355000 · 23/06/2014

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, 200…

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. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadi…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Buick LaCrosse common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2008 Buick LaCrosse MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Buick LaCrosse worth?

Low
$3,300
Typical price
$6,591
High
$10,000

From 69 comparable 2008 Buick LaCrosse listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Buick LaCrosse costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,950
Total$20,700
Per mile$0.28

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,591) with the same model 3 model-years older ($4,210), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Buick LaCrosse trims & engines on record

Trims
CXL · CX · CXS · Super
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl

2008 Buick LaCrosse vehicles on record

2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXS2G4WE587981185400 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX2G4WC582081158838 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX2G4WC582881228926 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super2G4WN58C281294651 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582581333033 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582181187052 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582381156434 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXS2G4WE587281146843 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582781208342 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582881198677 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXS2G4WE587681129995 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX2G4WC582781251355 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX2G4WC582781204276 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582581152482 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX2G4WC582381197990 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582381220567 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582881174203 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582981247398 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582X81174994 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582281295325 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CXL2G4WD582581310836 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse Super2G4WN58C881286957 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX2G4WC582681272536 2008 Buick LaCrosse 2008 Buick LaCrosse CX2G4WC582481127527

Other Buick LaCrosse model years

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005

2008 Buick LaCrosse — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Buick LaCrosse have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2008 Buick LaCrosse. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Buick LaCrosse?

Based on 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are exterior lighting, air bags, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Buick LaCrosse get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Buick LaCrosse at about 20 mpg combined (17 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2008 Buick LaCrosse worth?

Comparable 2008 Buick LaCrosse listings run roughly $3,300–$10,000, typically around $6,591 (from 69 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.