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2005 Buick LaCrosse

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 LaCrosse.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2005 Buick LaCrosse arrives as a passenger car requiring 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, and its inaugural model year carries the heaviest complaint burden of the 2005–2019 run with 314 owner reports — most centered on exterior lighting — alongside five recalls. That peak stands in sharp contrast to the 2019 model's mere six complaints, marking the 2005 as the reliability low point for the nameplate and signaling that early examples demand closer scrutiny of lighting systems and recall completion.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 680 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731175. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 680 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-60R16OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 25322835
Engine air filter	15221217
Spark plug	12681664 alt 19300872
Battery	88865491
Front wiper blades	19120758
Serpentine belt	12576750 alt 12584310
Thermostat	24506985 alt 24505924
Cabin air filter	84557894

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the LaCrosse of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2005 CXS Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2005	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	7.00 sec	15.40 sec	240 hp	FWD
2005	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	8.00 sec	15.80 sec	240 hp	FWD
2008	Super Sedan 5.3L V8	5.70 sec	14.20 sec	300 hp	FWD
2008	Super Sedan 5.3L V8	6.20 sec	14.60 sec	300 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	6.40 sec	15.00 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	6.50 sec	15.20 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	6.60 sec	15.10 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	6.70 sec	15.30 sec	280 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-4-3-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.4
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper and Lower: 17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 11; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-6-5-4-3-2
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5,000-8,000 ohms
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Type	AC 41-988
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.30 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.60 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	2.30 lbs
Oil Group	PAG

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-225 °F
Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	185-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	60.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	55-60

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	70 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	133 ft-lbs / 89 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.27 in / 0.551 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.27 in / 0.551 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.22 in / 0.51 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 150

74 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

111 ft. lbs., step 2: 76

111 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Buick LaCrosse marks the beginning of this federal record, exhibiting the highest volume of consumer complaints (314) among all listed years. With 5 recalls, the 2005 model is tied for the most recalls seen across the entire generation. Primary complaint areas for this specific year include exterior lighting (69), the electrical system (46), and steering (34), although the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. While this year had the lowest number of Technical Service Bulletins (576) compared to later models, which peaked at 1,950 in 2013, it also recorded 7 crash-related and 6 fire-related complaints. Because this model year carries the highest complaint volume and a peak number of recalls relative to the rest of the series, it is not a recommended year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

576

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

314

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 6 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’05’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 314 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting69

Electrical System46

Steering34

Air Bags25

Service Brakes, Hydraulic11

Structure10

Power Train8

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V519000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 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… Remedy: 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…

14V355000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 576 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5358D	2025-02-19	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific LaCrosse. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt Engine oil filter 12731175 Engine air filter 15221217 Spark plug 12681664 Battery 88865491

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2005 LaCrosse take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2005 LaCrosse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.