NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
44 reportsClear category filter78,263 miles · Aug 17, 2016
Engine
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE @ 78263 MILES. VEHICLE DISPLAYED ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT AND WAS STILL DRIVABLE. WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAVE STOPPED WITHOUT REPAIRS. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE AND BOTH ENTITIES DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT DUE TO VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY. I REFERENCED TSB 11340A WHERE G…
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TIMING CHAIN FAILURE @ 78263 MILES. VEHICLE DISPLAYED ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT AND WAS STILL DRIVABLE. WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAVE STOPPED WITHOUT REPAIRS. CONTACTED LOCAL DEALER AND BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE AND BOTH ENTITIES DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT DUE TO VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY. I REFERENCED TSB 11340A WHERE GM EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE TO OTHER MODELS WITH TIMING CHAIN ISSUES, BUT NOT THE 2010 LACROSSE, IN MY COMMUNICATIONS WITH THEM. I APPEALED TO GM PRESIDENT AND THE STATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION WHERE I LIVE. GM HAS CLOSED THE FILE ON MY CASE THOUGH I ASKED FOR CONFIRMATION THAT THE SUPPLIER OF THE ENGINE IN THE 2010 LACROSSE WAS NOT THE SAME AS IN THE ENGINES OF THE VEHICLES REFERENCED IN THE TSN 11340A.
NHTSA ODI #10896598
65,340 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Engine
GM 3.6 L VVT TIMING CHAIN ISSUE I WAS DRIVING OUR '10 BUICK LACROSSE (WITH 65,340 MI) ONE EVENING AND THE CAR'S FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO POWER DOWN, AND DID SO FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS. IT THEN RAN NORMAL FOR ABOUT 75 YARDS AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED LOW ENGINE POWER MESSAGE WITH THE EXCLAMATION POINT. I PU…
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GM 3.6 L VVT TIMING CHAIN ISSUE I WAS DRIVING OUR '10 BUICK LACROSSE (WITH 65,340 MI) ONE EVENING AND THE CAR'S FRONT END BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO POWER DOWN, AND DID SO FOR ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS. IT THEN RAN NORMAL FOR ABOUT 75 YARDS AND THE DISPLAY SHOWED LOW ENGINE POWER MESSAGE WITH THE EXCLAMATION POINT. I PULLED OFF ON A SIDE STREET AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART IT, BUT IT WOULD NOT FIRE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE NEXT DAY THAT I NEEDED A NEW MOTOR THAT WOULD RUN $6800. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK HOME AND WHILE CALLING AROUND TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS FOR ENGINE QUOTES, I FOUND A DEALERSHIP THAT ASKED ME IF THEY COULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THY RIGHT AWAY SAID IT DID NOT SOUND LIKE MY ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THEIR DEALERSHIP AND DISCOVERED THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT WHEN IT BROKE, IT DAMAGED THE REAR VALVES AND ONE OF THE HEADS. THE TOTAL COST WAS ABOUT $3250. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY HELP ON THE REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI #10872262
89,000 miles · May 4, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT COMES ON; THE ABS & PARK ASSIST LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF; MY RPM, SPEEDOMETER, & TEMPERATURE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE; AND THE ENGINE LOSES POWER CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. ON 3/18/16, I WAS PUT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION W…
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OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WHILE DRIVING, THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT COMES ON; THE ABS & PARK ASSIST LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF; MY RPM, SPEEDOMETER, & TEMPERATURE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE; AND THE ENGINE LOSES POWER CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. ON 3/18/16, I WAS PUT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY THAT HAD NO SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND STAYED ON THRU THE REST OF MY DRIVE. TWO DAYS LATER, THE DRIVE HOME WAS INCIDENT FREE & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS GONE. ON 3/22/16 I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER; SHOWED THE SERVICE TECH A VIDEO OF THE EVENTS HAPPENING AS I WAS DRIVING AND A LETTER I GOT FROM GM REGARDING A POSSIBLE THROTTLE SENSOR PROBLEM THAT CAUSES REDUCED POWER AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMPS TO APPEAR. THE GM DEALER TECH SAID MY CARS PROBLEMS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH GM'S LETTER AND HE WAS 90% SURE MY FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED REPLACING. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY PERSONAL AUTO MECHANIC FOR 10+ YRS, WHO WORKS FOR A VERY REPUTABLE COMPANY, FOR A SECOND OPINION. SINCE THE CODES HAD BEEN CLEARED BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT AND THE CAR CHECKED OUT OK MY MECHANIC SAID TO DRIVE IT AND BRING IT BACK IF THE PROBLEMS OCCURRED AGAIN. IT RECENTLY STARTED HAPPENING AGAIN & MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO FOUND MULTIPLE CODES FOR ECM & TCM LOST COMMUNICATION PCM MALFUNCTION & OTHER COMMUNICATION ISSUES. HE DROVE THE CAR AND EXPERIENCED WHAT I WAS EXPLAINING WAS HAPPENING. MY MECHANIC COULDN'T PINPOINT THE PROBLEM BUT SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM; THAT IT'S ELECTRICAL. HE SUGGESTED WE TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER BUICK DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION & I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR SINCE I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE PROBLEMS WILL START HAPPENING.
NHTSA ODI #10863018
47,739 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE MALFUNCTION AND THE ENGINE POWERING DOWN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE MALFUNCTION AND THE ENGINE POWERING DOWN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,739.
NHTSA ODI #10819398
90,000 miles · Nov 4, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ON FIRE WHEN THEY ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD WAS MELTED FROM THE FIRE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ON FIRE WHEN THEY ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT FACILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD WAS MELTED FROM THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 12/30/15*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10788267
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2015
Engine
MY CAR OVERHEATED AND THE COOLANT SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON PLUS THE SERVICE OIL LIGHT CAME ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT COOLANT IN THE CAR BUT AFTER 30 MILE DRIVING IT DONE IT AGAIN AND NOW I HEAR NOISE UNDER MY CAR WHILE DRIVING AFTER I LET THE CAR SIT FO 30 MINS TO COOL OFF JUST SO I CAN MAKE OT HOME.
NHTSA ODI #10733530
20,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10731770
69,800 miles · Jun 30, 2015
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control
I WAS GETTING ON THE ON RAMP FOR THE INTERSTATE AND GRADUALLY ATTEMPTING TO GAINING SPEED TO BUT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED.I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WITH NO PICK UP. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO PICK UP SPEED. WHEN THE VEHICLE GOT UP TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IT BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN I HA…
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I WAS GETTING ON THE ON RAMP FOR THE INTERSTATE AND GRADUALLY ATTEMPTING TO GAINING SPEED TO BUT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED.I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WITH NO PICK UP. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO PICK UP SPEED. WHEN THE VEHICLE GOT UP TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IT BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN I HAD THE ACCELERATER PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I COULD HERE THE VEHICLE IDLING AND AFTER SOME TIME HAD PASSED IT BEGAN TO PICK UP SPEED AGAIN. I'VE HAD MY VEHICLE FOR FOUR YEARS AND HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER SHIP. I HAVE PAID FOR DIAGNOSTICS SEVERAL TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP TO NO AVAIL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT MORE THAN 5 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESS. IT'S NOT A CONSTANT THING, HOWEVER IT IS QUITE DANGEROUS AS WELL AS UNSETTLING NOT KNOWING WHEN OR WHERE MY SAFETY MAY BE COMPRISED IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS MY SECOND BUICK LACROSSE WHICH HAS HAD PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE. I WAS HOPING MY PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 BUICK LACROSSE WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT I'M BEGINNING TO THINK PERHAPS IT WASN'T. MAYBE THIS CAN ALL BE ATTRIBUTED TO JUST POOR WORKMANSHIP WITH INFERIOR PRODUCT MANUFACTURING.
NHTSA ODI #10731209
105,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015
Engine
MY CAR CURRENTLY IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND THERE IS A FAN BLOWING. IT HAS BEEN BLOWING THE PAST HOUR. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHER CARS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUES. THEY STATE THE CAUSE IS THE WATER PUMP. I PLAN ON TAKING MY CAR TO THE SHOP TOMORROW FOR A EVALUATION. I HOPE THAT I DON'T WAKE UP TOMORROW AND THE ENGINE…
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MY CAR CURRENTLY IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND THERE IS A FAN BLOWING. IT HAS BEEN BLOWING THE PAST HOUR. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHER CARS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR ISSUES. THEY STATE THE CAUSE IS THE WATER PUMP. I PLAN ON TAKING MY CAR TO THE SHOP TOMORROW FOR A EVALUATION. I HOPE THAT I DON'T WAKE UP TOMORROW AND THE ENGINE FAN IS STILL RUNNING.
NHTSA ODI #10724456
93,450 miles · Apr 5, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE, MY WIFE DROVE IT HOME, THE CAR DIED AFTER 8 MILES. SHE SLOWED FOR STOP LIGHT, CAR SUDDENLY DIED. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, CAR LOST POWER, DIED. I BACKTRACKED TO HELP,. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR BUT DIDN'T HAVE ANY COMPRESSION. I CALLED DEALER, THEY SENT TOLL TRUCK. ACCORDING TO THE…
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TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE, MY WIFE DROVE IT HOME, THE CAR DIED AFTER 8 MILES. SHE SLOWED FOR STOP LIGHT, CAR SUDDENLY DIED. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT CRAZY, CAR LOST POWER, DIED. I BACKTRACKED TO HELP,. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR BUT DIDN'T HAVE ANY COMPRESSION. I CALLED DEALER, THEY SENT TOLL TRUCK. ACCORDING TO THEM, THEY CHECKED IT, DROVE IT A FEW TIMES, SAID COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, CALLED GM FOR HELP. THE DEALER'S SERVICE REP SAID GM TOLD THEM HEARD OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN LACROSSE. GM RECOMMENDED THEY APPLY LUBRICANT CABLES CONNECTING TO ECM. DID SO. HAD 3 PEOPLE TEST DRIVE CAR, SAID OPERATING FINE. RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER STATING PROBLEM CORRECTED,CAR GOOD TO GO. PICKED UP CAR IN COMPANY MECHANIC FRIEND. REP EXPLAINED WHAT THEY DID, CHECKED ALL ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS, BREAKERS, CONNECTIONS, ETC AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE WORKING FINE. TOLD HIM THAT MY WIFE DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR NOW BECAUSE OF INCIDENT AND HE SAID CAR SHOULD BE FINE FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS. I ASKED WHAT IF FIX IDIDN'T WORK? HE SAID THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY REQUIRE A NEW ECM. WELL, CAR DIED AGAIN YESTERDAY, APRIL 4, ABOUT 1:30 PM WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE TO OUR SON'S HOUSE. WAS GOING ABOUT 40 MILES/HR AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY, CAR STARTING STALLING, JERKING AND ALL OF THE CONSOLE LIGHTS WERE GOING CRAZY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, A SERVICE STABILITY TRACK WARNING AND THE KEY SYMBOL APPEARED ON CENTER CONSOLE, IT DIED COMPLETELY. TRIED RESTARTING IT BUT IT WOULDN'T. WAITED FOR TRAFFIC TO PASS, THEN I ROLLED CAR BACKWARDS TOWARD THE CURB TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC LANES. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND THEN STARTED THE CART AGAIN. I WENT A FEW HUNDRED FEET, THEN IT DIED AGAIN. I DID THIS 3 MORE TIMES UNTIL GETTING TO MY SON'S HOUSE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO PARK IT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY CLOSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703762
Official recalls
2Dec 22, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
Dec 21, 2020
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗