The 2010 Buick Lucerne represents the last gasp of GM's full-size FWD platform. Generally solid transportation, but the 3.9L V6 and 4T65E transmission are the weak links that generate most comebacks — intake manifold leaks and transmission cooler/mount failures dominate the repair order stack.
3.9L V6 Intake Manifold Gasket Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, White smoke on cold start, Rough idle or misfire codes, Milky oil if severely neglected
Fix: Upper intake manifold removal, new Fel-Pro gasket set, flush cooling system. 4-5 hours labor. The plastic intake runner design traps coolant when gaskets fail, causing internal leak into cylinders.
Estimated cost: $650-1,100
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks (4T65E)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under radiator area, Low fluid level causing delayed engagement, Pink fluid mixed with coolant in overflow tank (internal radiator leak), Burnt transmission smell if driven low
Fix: Replace both steel cooler lines from transmission to radiator — they corrode at crimp fittings. If cooler contaminated coolant, also replace radiator and flush both systems. Lines alone: 2.5 hours. With radiator: 4-5 hours.
Symptoms: Loud clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle in Drive with brake on, Visible engine/trans movement when revving in Park, Harsh 1-2 shift feel
Fix: Rear powertrain mount replacement requires supporting engine/trans, removing through-bolts. OE-quality mount critical — cheap aftermarket collapse in 20k miles. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-450
4T65E Transmission Internal Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Slipping on 2-3 upshift under load, Harsh or delayed engagement into gear, Check Engine light with P0700-series codes, Burnt fluid smell, dark or metallic fluid
Fix: The 4T65E behind the 3.9L is marginal for this car's weight. Input drum cracks, 3-4 clutches burn. Rebuild runs 12-16 hours labor; remanufactured unit swap 8-10 hours. Always replace cooler lines during this job.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,200
Ignition Lock Cylinder Failure (Recall-Adjacent)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Key won't turn or sticks in ignition, Steering wheel locks and won't release, No start with no crank, dash lights dead, Key stuck in accessory position
Fix: GM issued recall for ignition switch (not cylinder itself), but lock cylinders also wear. Replacement requires column disassembly, new cylinder coded to existing key or rekey. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Deterioration
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps from front end, Wandering feel on highway, needs constant steering correction, Inner edge tire wear on front tires, Visible cracked rubber in lower arm bushings
Fix: Rear bushings on lower control arms crack from road salt and age. Most shops replace entire control arm assembly (easier than pressing bushings). 2.5 hours labor both sides.
Symptoms: ABS and Traction Control warning lights on dash, Stabilitrak engages randomly at low speed, Pulsing brake pedal on smooth dry roads, Intermittent Stabilitrak disabled message
Fix: Front wheel speed sensors corrode at connector or sensor body cracks. Diagnose with Tech2 or equivalent to identify which corner. Sensor replacement 0.8 hour per side, but may need wheel bearing/hub if sensor integrated.
Estimated cost: $180-350 per sensor, $400-650 if hub required
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 50k miles with full-synthetic Dexron VI — the 4T65E needs all the help it can get
Inspect cooler lines annually for seepage at crimp connections; catch them before catastrophic leak
Use DexCool-compatible coolant only and maintain 50/50 mix — intake gaskets are less forgiving than old 3800
Check rear trans mount every oil change after 60k — early replacement at first clunk prevents driveline damage
Buy the 3.8L Series II if you can find one (more durable than 3.9L), budget $1,500 for deferred maintenance on any 100k+ example, and avoid the 4.6L Northstar unless you enjoy head gasket roulette — otherwise a comfortable highway cruiser that's cheap to own if you stay ahead of the trans.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Side post terminals standard on GM; battery located under rear seat or trunk area
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Every control module on the 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Only on vehicles with memory seat option; position relearn via driver controls
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
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.
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.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2010 Buick Lucerne 4.6L V8 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.