Buick LaCrosse reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 902 complaints about the Buick LaCrosse with NHTSA since 2010, most often about electrical system and engine. Buick has filed 17 warranty extensions and 19 service campaigns for it, and there are 19 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Buick LaCrosse? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the LaCrosse a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 902
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 17
- Filed by Buick
- Service campaigns
- 19
- Filed by Buick
- Safety recalls
- 19
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the LaCrosse with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 |
| 2019 | 6 | Engine (50%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2018 | 12 | Electrical system (42%) | 3 | 5 |
| 2017 | 36 | Electrical system (31%) | 2 | 4 |
| 2016 | 48 | Steering (25%) | 2 | 2 |
| 2015 | 44 | Steering (27%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2014 | 63 | Electrical system (22%) | 5 | 4 |
| 2013 | 129 | Electrical system (42%) | 5 | 6 |
| 2012 | 206 | Electrical system (30%) | 5 | 5 |
| 2011 | 169 | Electrical system (19%) | 4 | 22 |
| 2010 | 189 | Electrical system (24%) | 2 | 23 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single LaCrosse model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Buick
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Buick filed with NHTSA for the LaCrosse, in its own words. A warranty extension means Buick pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Electrical system· model years 2017–2020
This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- Warranty extensionJun 2020· Engine· model years 2017–2018
Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain 2016-2018 model year Chevrolet Malibu, 2017-2018 model year Buick LaCrosse, and 2018 model year Buick Regal vehicles may have a condition which affects the electrical connection to one of the vehicle?s accelerator pedal position sensors.
- Warranty extensionJun 2018· Electrical system· model years 2015
18029 - Special Coverage. Certain vehicles listed above, may have an inoperative purge solenoid that could lead to excessive fuel vapors entering the combustion chamber from the fuel tank.
- Warranty extensionJun 2017· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2011
12313D - Special Coverage. On some vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LAF), the chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch.
- Warranty extensionDec 2016· Engine and cooling· model years 2014
16115 Special Coverage. On some vehicles, a P0014/P0024 (Exhaust Camshaft Position Performance ?
- Warranty extensionSep 2016· Fuel system· model years 2010–2011
12313C - Special Coverage. Bulletin was revised to remove special coverage adjustment for the fuel pump that is now included in Voluntary Emissions Recall 43180. Updates have been made to the Part Information, Service Procedure, and Warranty Transaction Information sections.
- Warranty extensionOct 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2011
14582A - Special Coverage (2012 model year Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, Regal; Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles have been removed).
- Warranty extensionSep 2015· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2012
14582 - Special Coverage. On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac CTS, Cadillac…
- Warranty extensionMar 2015· Engine· model years 2010–2013
14882 - special coverage. Certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (laf, lea or luk) that have experienced high oil consumption may also experience a frozen and/or plugged pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) system during cold weather operation.
- Warranty extensionAug 2014· Fuel system· model years 2013
14289 - special coverage. On some vehicles, equipped with E85 flex fuel capability (fhs), the flexible fuel sensor may become inoperative during normal operation due to an electrical failure caused by road salt and other environmental contaminants.
- Warranty extensionOct 2013· Mobility equipment· model years 2010–2011
12313B - Special Coverage (revised warranty information). The chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch.
- Warranty extensionOct 2013· Fuel system· model years 2010–2011
Some model vehicles, the chain is allow to stretch due to balance chain pins wearing and this cause engine noises and chain could break, damaging engine. Models 2010-11 Lacrosse, 2011 Regal, 2010-11 Equinox, terrain. *pe updated 12/6/13.
- Warranty extensionOct 2013· Fuel system· model years 2010–2011
Special Coverage Adjustment - Engine Balance Chain and Fuel Pump - Equipped with 2.4L Engine (LAF)
- Warranty extensionJul 2013· Engine· model years 2010–2011
12313A - Special Coverage (revised part information). The chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch.
- Warranty extensionJul 2013· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2010–2011
12313 - Special Coverage. The chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch.
- Warranty extensionJul 2013· Fuel system· model years 2010–2011
Special Coverage Adjustment - Engine Balance Chain and Fuel Pump - Equipped with 2.4L Engine (LAF)
- Warranty extensionJul 2013· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2011
Special Coverage Adjustment - Engine Balance Chain and Fuel Pump - Equipped with 2.4L Engine (LAF)
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2020
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2020
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2010–2020
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
- Service campaignJun 2017· Mobility equipment· model years 2015
15086A - Customer Satisfaction Program. On certain passenger cars and light duty trucks, equipped with Gen 10 OnStar®, the embedded phone flash memory chip may become corrupted, causing the OnStar® system to become inoperative.
- Service campaignOct 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2017
16069 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Involved vehicles may have a condition in which the front portion of the rear propeller shaft slips out of the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) and drags on the roadway.
- Service campaignApr 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010
25630 customer satisfaction program. These vehicles may have had remanufactured engines installed during a service repair that were built with incorrect piston rings.
- Service campaignApr 2016· Engine· model years 2010
25630 ? Customer Satisfaction Program. These vehicles may have had remanufactured engines installed during a service repair that were built with incorrect piston rings.
- Service campaignMar 2016· Electrical system· model years 2010–2016
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignAug 2015· Electrical system· model years 2011–2015
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignJun 2015· Electrical system· model years 2010–2011
13322B - customer satisfaction program (revised population and service procedure).
- Service campaignApr 2015· Electrical system· model years 2015
14395A - customer satisfaction program (revised labor time). On some 2015 Model year buick encore, lacrosse, regal, and verano; cadillac ats, cts, elr, escalade, srx and xts; chevrolet colorado, corvette, cruze, equinox, impala, malibu, silverado, sonic, spark, ss, suburban,…
- Service campaignFeb 2015· Electrical system· model years 2010
14648 - Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain 2008-2010 model year General Motors vehicles have a performance issue with their OnStar modules that could impact the vehicle?s battery life.
- Service campaignFeb 2015· Equipment and accessories· model years 2010–2011
13322A - customer satisfaction program (revised service procedure).
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every LaCrosse model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Electrical system237 (26%)
- Engine165 (18%)
- Steering113 (13%)
- Transmission and drivetrain94 (10%)
- Suspension89 (10%)
- Other or unspecified63 (7%)
- Brakes62 (7%)
- Stability control53 (6%)
Safety recalls
19 recalls cover at least one LaCrosse model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition.
The rear suspension toe-links may have been incorrectly installed, and, as a result, they may loosen and disconnect from the rear suspension system.
The electrical connectors for the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system may not be properly sealed. As a result, water may enter and corrode the connectors possibly resulting in a loss of power steering.
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
In the affected vehicles, a wiring splice in the driver's door may corrode and break, resulting in the absence of an audible chime to notify the driver if the door is opened while the key is in the ignition.
The affected vehicles may have had brake rotors intended for the rear of the car accidentally installed on the front.
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever.
And 4 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- AQ14001Audit query· opened May 2014, closed May 2016· Electrical system· model years 2012–2013
Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
- RQ13003Recall query· opened Jul 2013, closed Jul 2014· Electrical system· model years 2012–2013
Generator Control Module Fires
NHTSA's own page for the 2020 Buick LaCrosse has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Buick LaCrosse reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 902 owner complaints, 17 warranty extensions and 19 service campaigns Buick filed, and 19 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2012 (206), 2010 (189), 2011 (169). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Buick LaCrosse?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name electrical system (26%), engine (18%), steering (13%). Buick has filed 17 warranty extensions covering the LaCrosse, listed on this page.
Which LaCrosse model years have the most complaints?
2012 (206), 2010 (189), 2011 (169). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the LaCrosse with each other rather than with other models.
Has Buick extended the warranty on the LaCrosse?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2017–2020); engine (model years 2017–2018); electrical system (model years 2015), and 14 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a LaCrosse?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 19 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.