Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Buick Lucerne, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 19% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 13% |
| Engine | 4 | 7% |
| Structure | 4 | 7% |
| Steering | 3 | 6% |
| Seats | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
We have a Buick Lucerne 2010. We went out it would not start. Tow it to dealership they replace the fuel pump. We did. Get it home next day it will not start again. Tow it to dealership again. This time they find melted
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that there was a burning odor in the cabin of the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed the contact th
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the engine shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle res
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Rear fuse block, fuel pump relay, gets hot and melts. Apparently due to seat latch pushing against fuse block cover. Smoked, but not fire.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Power steering leak. Relay in rear fuse box, under back seat, burning out. Possibilty of back seat cushion rubbing on fuse box jarring PS relay affecting connection. Safety issue if lose control of power steering. Safet
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while the rear seat was occupied, it was raised up on the battery and fuse box, causing the fuse relay to short circuit. While driving, the vehicle stalled w
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I purchased the car from Buick Spec dealership in Prosser WA on Aug. 2, 2021. The car was sold to me with rocket panel damaged, the rear brakes- rotors needed replaced and one side brake completely gone..the pins frozen.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
See GM Bulletin # 15-na-051 Vehicle died, required tow, found out due to fuel pump relay per bulletin cited above. Rear seat bracket interfered with fuse box, disabling vehicle requiring tow. Vehicle repaired at owners
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2010 Buick Lucerne. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 certai
Risk: 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
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.
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 COU
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 A
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 10 of them (19%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.