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2011 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Lacrosse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

125 reports with mileage · 44 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

11 reports
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135,000 miles · Mar 24, 2022
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the air bag did not deploy. As a result, the driver hit his head on the headrest. The driver did seek medical attention…

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The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the air bag did not deploy. As a result, the driver hit his head on the headrest. The driver did seek medical attention for his injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. In addition, the seat belt retractor latches were not able to be used after the rear-ended accident. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #11458226

46,000 miles · Feb 5, 2021
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #11394828

85,538 miles · Dec 3, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsInjury

WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ACCIDENT OF ANY SORT. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT! GM DOES NOT WANT TO BE LIABLE. IM A SINGLE MOM. IM $2000 AWAY FROM PAYING THE CAR OFF, TO BE CAR NOTE FREE AS I HAVE A DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE. I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED REGULARLY . THEIR DATA IS INCORRECT.

NHTSA ODI #11286688

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE, AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK MERGED OVER AND SMASHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE INTO THE METAL GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY, BACK PAINS, AND LEG PAINS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE, AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK MERGED OVER AND SMASHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE INTO THE METAL GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY, BACK PAINS, AND LEG PAINS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS TO REACH OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10984669

60,000 miles · Mar 22, 2017
Air Bags

TAKATA INFLATORS: MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ALMOST 2YEARS AND I SEE THAT IS A RECALL ON AIRBAGS FOR THE 2011 BUICK

NHTSA ODI #10967814

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2015
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT FRONT PASSENGER STAYS ON WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #10783762

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2014
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAGS LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE SEAT BELT IS IN PLACE, HAD THE PROBLEM FIX ONCE AND THE LIGHT STAYED MAYBE TWO WEEKS BUT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648961

15,449 miles · Oct 31, 2013
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE TWO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED AND ONE OF …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE TWO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED AND ONE OF THE DRIVER'S SUFFERED FROM AN UNKNOWN INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER AND REPAIRED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,449.

NHTSA ODI #10550359

11,290 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT, WHO INSTRUCTED THE DEALER NOT TO MODIFY THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT, WHO INSTRUCTED THE DEALER NOT TO MODIFY THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS DESIGNED TO ONLY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN WEIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,290. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPORTED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 09/11/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468977

15,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED THE MEDIUM AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED THE MEDIUM AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK AND LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS PERFORMING UP TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN ENGINEER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SENSORS DID NOT NOTIFY ONSTAR AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO EVEN IF THE AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY. GENERAL MOTORS FOUND THERE WAS NO DEFECT WITH THE AIRBAGS. UPDATED 09/06/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10465086

Official recalls

4

21V00F000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 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.

20V764000 · Suspension:rear

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.

14V447000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 23, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

11V149000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element

Mar 4, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE AND CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS". ON THESE VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL (ECC) MODULE MAY DISABLE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM SETTINGS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING, AND VENTILATION FOR THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.