Head gasket repairs can get very expensive, very quickly. Now, nonprofit consumer organization Consumer Reports has listed the 2011 Buick Lucerne in its list of older vehicles most likely to need a head gasket replacement.
In the list, Consumer Reports identifies nine vehicle produced in the past decade that are prone to head gasket failure, with the most at-risk vehicles listed at the top. The 2011 Buick Lucerne was the fourth model listed, with the organization stating that the vehicle was most likely to experience head gasket failure around 101,000 to 162,000 miles. The organization did no specify between the 3.9L V6 engine or 4.6L Northstar V8 engine. However, Consumer Reports did report complaints made by Lucerne owners, most of whom owned models with the V6 engine.
Consumer Reports also suggests the 2011 to 2013 Toyota Avalon as a viable alternative to the 2011 Buick Lucerne.
The list is based on a data analysis from Consumer Reports’ Annual Auto Surveys, which identifies the models that were most likely to incur pricey repairs. The list of vehicles most likely to need a head gasket replacement also includes the 2015 Buick Encore, and, as GM Authority covered earlier this week, the 2011 Chevy Cruze.
A faulty head gasket can lead to a multitude of mechanical issues, including oil and coolant leaks, incurring repair costs that could amount to several thousand dollars.
A Consumer Reports evaluation lists the 2011 Buick Lucerne as rated at 1 out of 5 in reliability, and 2 out of 5 in owner satisfaction. Other issues listed by owners include engine mount failure and oil pan gasket failure.
In related news, Consumer Reports also identified the 2006 Buick Lucerne as likely to require an engine rebuild sometime during its lifespan, with major engine issues typically experienced between 116,000 and 143,000 miles. Again, the organization did no specify between the 3.8L V6 and 4.6L Northstar V8, but according to complaints received by Consumer Reports, the majority of issues come from owners with the 4.6L V8.
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Source: Consumer Reports
Comments
Consumers Reports might have made a typo in the exact engine that has head gasket problems. I know for a fact that the 3.9 liter V6 engine has a problem with head gaskets. My best bud had a Chev minivan that blew one of the head gaskets after it was past the warranty period. His blew at about 135,000 kms which is only 84,000 miles. He drove his van harder than i would, stomping on the gas when after a red light. I did research for him on the engine a few years ago and it was definitely the 3.9 liter V6 and dozens of people posted online about the 3.9 liter head gasket issue.
Again non scientific display of results.
The 4.6 did have issues with head bolts that created head gasket issues. Funny they are not listing the sister cars with this engine in the Olds and Cadillac.
The fix was head studs.
“In related news, Consumer Reports also identified the 2006 Buick Lucerne as likely to require an engine rebuild … Again, the organization did no specify between the 3.8L V6 and 4.6L Northstar V8, ”
Anyone who knows these cars knows that the 3.8L V6 is the best engine GM ever made. The vast majority of 3.8s out there will outlast the rest of the car without needing major repair. It is without a doubt the Northstar V8 that CR is talking about in this section.
That 3.8 was a great engine, I miss having the supercharged 3.8L
The Northstar V8 required taking two tablets and calling the next morning.
I recall renting an Impala for a couple weeks vacation w/ the LZ9 3900 V-6. 5 adults and a trunk full of luggage driving through all kinds of Virginia and Maryland terrain, that thing was in the 28-30 mpg range. It was no slacker power wise either. I always had great luck with the 3.8, but I remember thinking if I were going to buy a FWD car, I would seek out that 3.9….
Meanwhile ….my 17 year old Toyota Camry nearing 300k just had to have it’s original water pump replaced and my wife’s 23 year old Lexus ES330 just completed an 1800 miles road trip flawlessly….with original head gaskets. Just a big NOPE to owning a GM product.
If you support the Japs you might as well get out of this country and move to Tokyo!
Hmmmm….Last time I checked,Toyota was building their Tundras and Camry in Kentucky and have their North American headquarters in Texas,employing thousands of AMERICANS and their families but I guess you just don’t understand the 21st century global economy
I owned a 97′ Suburban, great rig…..and manufactured in Mexico
Love our country.Just wish we we could learn and build better vehicles
Rob
Desert Storm veteran,retired
Toyotas are gay
I wasn’t aware of the 3900 engine being hard on head gaskets. The 3500 engine that the Impala’s has as std is basically the same engine and I see tons with upwards of 200-300K still running fine. The biggest issues these 60 degree Chevy based V6 engine family had were the intake gaskets starting with the late 1993 3100 V6 and then the 3400 which debuted for 1996. For 2004 the newly developed 3500 V6 utilized a new coolant bypass intake design that fixed this issue. For 2006 the 3500 and newly introduced 3900 were revamped with VVT and better breathing characteristics plus a higher RPM redline. Its entirely possible with major coolant neglect or overheating that any of these 60 degree V6’s can suffer a cracked aluminum head or head gasket failure but singling out 2011 as a really bad year seems a bit ridiculous.
Also note that the 3900 as used in the 2007 to 2010 Impala were active fuel management or cylinder shut down engines whereas the 2009-2011 Lucerne 3900’s were not. The 3900 was also used on the 2006 on up GM minivans and the Pontiac G6 and Chevy Malibu and did not have the AFM feature.