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2006 Buick LaCrosse

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 LaCrosse.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2006 Buick LaCrosse enters as a passenger car in the second year of the nameplate's 2005-2019 production run, with its 4.5-quart oil capacity calling for 5W-30 API fluid. It carries four recalls and has logged 299 owner complaints to date, with exterior lighting standing out as the most frequently cited trouble area. Within the LaCrosse's broader complaint history—where 2005 logged the highest at 314 and 2019 the lowest at just 6—the 2006 sits near the upper end of that arc, placing it in the early, complaint-heavy phase of the nameplate's life. For a researcher, that positioning makes the 2006 a useful baseline against which the steep decline in reported problems across the following decade becomes especially legible.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2006

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 · 690 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 · 690 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-60R16OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731175 alt 12731179
Engine air filter	15221217
Spark plug	12681664 alt 19300872
Battery	88865491
Front wiper blades	19388171
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.

5.7–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2008 Super 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
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Type	AC 41-988
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.060 in

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.35 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.35 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	188-206 °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.

In 2006 the LaCrosse recorded 299 consumer complaints, a modest drop from the 314 complaints seen in 2005, and the lowest complaint count until the 2009 dip to 106. Recall activity also fell slightly, with four recalls in 2006 versus five the year before, while an NHTSA investigation was opened for the first time in this generation. The trend across the model’s lifespan shows a steady decline in complaints and a modest, relatively stable recall count (2‑5 per year), with technical service bulletins (TSBs) rising each year to a peak of 1,950 by 2013. Because 2006 sits near the early‑mid point of this downward trajectory—fewer complaints than the launch year and only one investigation—it suggests the model was beginning to resolve early‑year issues. **Takeaway:** 2006 is a comparatively clean year within the generation, making it a reasonable choice for a used purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

713

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

299

Owner complaints

16 involved a crash · 7 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 299 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting121

Electrical System36

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting27

Air Bags24

Steering15

Steering,Suspension5

Power Train5

Visibility5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 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 713 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 2006 LaCrosse take?

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

Does the 2006 LaCrosse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.