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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.

About this comparison →

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ERROR CODES WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ERROR CODES WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE WHY THE BATTERIES WERE FAILING. WHILE DRIVING TO HAVE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10819699

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

2011 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, THE DASHBOARD READ, ENGINE IS LOSING PRESSURE. THE VEHICLES SPEED DROPPED TO 10 MPH AND BEGAN SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 4…

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2011 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, THE DASHBOARD READ, ENGINE IS LOSING PRESSURE. THE VEHICLES SPEED DROPPED TO 10 MPH AND BEGAN SHAKING OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES BETWEEN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER STATED THE WATER PUMP AND BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON FEBRUARY 2, 2013, THE DEALER ONLY FOUND A HALF QUART OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FROM AND THE ONLY THING THEY FOUND WAS MOISTURE IN CERTAIN AREAS. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6, 2014, WHERE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB UPDATED 03/13/14

NHTSA ODI #10560984

412 miles · Aug 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WITH A 3.6 HAD POPPING SOUND UPON STARTING WHEN CAR WAS 5 DAYS OLD; BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ASKED IF I WAS SURE IT WAS MY CAR. THEY CHECKED VEHICLE AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT POPPED UPON STARTING 8-9 MORE TIMES IN 3 WEEKS. UPON LEAVING A RESTAURANT, THE VEHICLE…

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THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WITH A 3.6 HAD POPPING SOUND UPON STARTING WHEN CAR WAS 5 DAYS OLD; BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ASKED IF I WAS SURE IT WAS MY CAR. THEY CHECKED VEHICLE AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT POPPED UPON STARTING 8-9 MORE TIMES IN 3 WEEKS. UPON LEAVING A RESTAURANT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START & HAD NO POWER; ONSTAR WAS OF NO USE. DEALER HAD CAR TOWED TO THEM; KEPT CAR FOR 10 DAYS AND PUT 160 MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY REPROGRAMMED 3 COMPUTERS BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE POPPING SOUND. I PICKED UP MY CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD BEEN HIT WHILE AT DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAD CAR PAINTED. I GOT MY CAR ON TUESDAY, THURSDAY IT POPPED TWICE. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER AGAIN. THEY TOLD ME TO PICK CAR UP THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THEY FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST EXPANDED UPON STARTING AND MADE A POOFING SOUND. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH BUICK EXECUTIVE OFFICES. THE CAR HAS 1087 MILES ON IT. IT HAD 287 WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND THEY PUT 160 MILES ON IT WHEN THEY HAD IT. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 6 WEEKS AND 2 OF THOSE WEEKS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE LIKE THE ONE I HAVE OR GIVE MY MONEY BACK. WHAT OPTIONS ARE LEFT?? LEMON LAW. I DON'T REALLY WANT TO DO THAT. I LOVE THE RIDE OF THE CAR AND THE FEATURES, BUT I CANNOT ENJOY IT AT ALL AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421071

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE FAILURE HAD PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK INTO GEAR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT THE CAUS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE FAILURE HAD PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK INTO GEAR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT RATHER THE PROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS SENDING INCORRECT SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000. SM.

NHTSA ODI #10417682

4,000 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,300.

NHTSA ODI #10408812

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.