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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

Power Train complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2022
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

The component is the brakes and the brake pedal while not engaging the brakes they remained on even after the vehicle was shut off .the vehicle brake lights remained on this was not duplicated when I took the car in by the dealer of how the brake remains engaged we even when not being used I would have to release the break by pu…

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The component is the brakes and the brake pedal while not engaging the brakes they remained on even after the vehicle was shut off .the vehicle brake lights remained on this was not duplicated when I took the car in by the dealer of how the brake remains engaged we even when not being used I would have to release the break by pulling it up with my foot while driving . This was duplicated and witnessed by two others the dealership where I bought the car and a trusted mechanic. which no avai there was no warning light indicating any type of concern prior to it doing this. the brake pedal being slightly stuck my transmission shifts not properly and hot feeling to the car now I have a warning saying that AC will not work due to the overheating of my engine which I believe to have repaired however the repair that was believed to be the problem obviously wasn't the problem because the light still remains on and the fan runs continuously the minute I start the car to the time I shut the car off I live in North Dakota and it is -1 today and the fan continues to run at all times and the warning light is on cooling fan the car lunges at times which is easy to lose control over when it does this it lunges to the point where it physically noticeable and and no warnings of this that a compensation is going to need to be made in my driving with this lunge issue. I do feel this break issue has affected many other parts of the vehicle and the safety associated with these components. Also at times the driver's seat will not move it goes up to the dash or back to the back seat leaving me in a position where I cannot drive the vehicle safely at all. Also the cruise control would not engage because of the brakes being slightly engaged. Took her to the dealership discussed this problem with them and they could not duplicate and it's been going on since I purchased the car It had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it and it continues to do this and I think it's a safety issue

NHTSA ODI #11496326

10,000 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Power Train

THE CEM ON THESE CARS GO OUT VERY FAST WITHOUT NO NOTICE

NHTSA ODI #11396334

120,000 miles · Apr 23, 2020
Power TrainStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT MOISTURE ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT MOISTURE ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11322067

55,900 miles · Dec 11, 2019
EnginePower Train

THE CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED ON 112619 AND THE DAY I BOUGHT I GOT WARNING LIGHT ON DASH NEXT DAY CAR IS IN REDUCED POWER MODE, TOOK BACK TO CARMAX TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED THEY CLEANED TPS ADV IT WAS DIRTY POOR CONTACT. TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT IS BACK ON THIS TIME THE CAR IS SENT TO BUICK DEALERSHIP IN GILBERT THEY REPLACED TH…

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THE CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED ON 112619 AND THE DAY I BOUGHT I GOT WARNING LIGHT ON DASH NEXT DAY CAR IS IN REDUCED POWER MODE, TOOK BACK TO CARMAX TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED THEY CLEANED TPS ADV IT WAS DIRTY POOR CONTACT. TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT IS BACK ON THIS TIME THE CAR IS SENT TO BUICK DEALERSHIP IN GILBERT THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND I WAS TOLD ISSUE IS FIXED 24 HOURS LATER CAR IS BACK IN REDUCED POWER MODE

NHTSA ODI #11288482

74,930 miles · Feb 10, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR STATED THAT MY TRAKSTABILTY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED THEN REDUCED ENGINE POWER LITE UP. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED OVER TWENTY MILES PER HOUR. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN MY CAR OFF LEAVE IT PARKED UNTIL I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OT…

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MY CAR STATED THAT MY TRAKSTABILTY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED THEN REDUCED ENGINE POWER LITE UP. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED OVER TWENTY MILES PER HOUR. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN MY CAR OFF LEAVE IT PARKED UNTIL I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER 2011 LACROSSES AND THEIR IS A SPECIAL SERVICE BULLETIN WITH FREE REPAIR BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT IN MINE. I HAD TO PAY 500 DOLLAR TO REPLACE THIS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 74000 MILES ON IT AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF I WASN'T IN A PLACE WHERE I COULD TURN MY VEHICLE OFF SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI #11176117

105,000 miles · Jun 21, 2018
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VOLUNTARILY COME TO A STOP, AND CUT ITSELF OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. THEN, SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BATTERY LIGHT/ICON STARTED TO APPEAR ONTO THE DASH SCREEN, FOLLOWED BY A DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING WITH AN INFORMATION NOTICE STATING THAT THE BATTERY POWER HAD BEEN REDUCED. WITH THIS NOTIFICATION YOUR ABILITY TO ACCEL…

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THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VOLUNTARILY COME TO A STOP, AND CUT ITSELF OFF WITHOUT NOTICE. THEN, SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BATTERY LIGHT/ICON STARTED TO APPEAR ONTO THE DASH SCREEN, FOLLOWED BY A DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING WITH AN INFORMATION NOTICE STATING THAT THE BATTERY POWER HAD BEEN REDUCED. WITH THIS NOTIFICATION YOUR ABILITY TO ACCELERATE BECOMES HINDERED, AND HAVING CONSULTED WITH ON-STAR, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST RESULTED WITH A CODE OF P-0335, AND THE PROBLEM LISTED AS AN IGNITION SYSTEM ENGINE MISFIRE. SUCH DIAGNOSIS COMES WITH A WARNING OF SPEED PRECAUTIONS, AND HIGHWAY DRIVING IS NOT RECOMMENDED.

NHTSA ODI #11102976

89,000 miles · Apr 15, 2018
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION,WITH APPROX 89,000 MILES BURNED UP WHILE I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP. I WAS 9 HOURS FROM MY HOME AND ALONE WITH A FULL CAR OF VACATION EQUIPMENT. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 24 IN NASHVILLE TENNESSEE. I PULLED OFF AND A SERVICE STATION CHECKED WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY SAID THE CODES SHOWED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I SHO…

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THE TRANSMISSION,WITH APPROX 89,000 MILES BURNED UP WHILE I WAS ON A ROAD TRIP. I WAS 9 HOURS FROM MY HOME AND ALONE WITH A FULL CAR OF VACATION EQUIPMENT. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 24 IN NASHVILLE TENNESSEE. I PULLED OFF AND A SERVICE STATION CHECKED WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY SAID THE CODES SHOWED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I SHOULD TRY TO GET TO THE NEAREST BUICK DEALER, IN CLARKSVILLE TENNESSEE. THEY SAID IT WOULD MAKE IT. I WAS ALONE. THANK GOODNESS FOR ONSTAR. I HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN CLARKSVILLE BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED AND IT WAS GETTING DARK. THE CAR WAS BARELY MOVING BY NOW. IT WAS FRIGHTENING. I STAYED THE NIGHT AT A BAYMONT IN CLARKSVILLE AND WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT 6 30 AM. WAS PRAYING IT COULD BE FIXED AND I COULD CONTINUE ON MY WAS TO MILWAUKEE WITH MY BEAUTIFUL CAR, WHICH I HAD PUT SO MUCH EFFORT IN KEEPING IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION. JUST BEFORE MY TRIP, I HAD REPLACED MY TIRES WITH BEAUTIFUL MICHELINS, AND SICK MY CAR HAD GONE INTO LIMP MODE TWICE, REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. EVERYTHING READY FOR A ROAD TRIP TO AMELIA ISLAND FROM MILWAUKEE. WYATT JOHNSON DEALERSHIP SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. 4500.00 TO FIX, AND WOULD TAKE A WEEK. I WAS STUCK. I HAD TO GET HOME 9 HOURS AWAY. I WOULD NEED A RENTAL TO DRIVE HOME, THEN DRIVE BACK THEN DRIVE HOME IF I WOULD HAVE THE NEW TRANSMISSION. I GAVE MY BEAUTIFUL CAR TO THEM FOR 1500.00. I BOUGHT ANOTHER 2015 LACROSSE. I HAD TO UNLOAD A FULL CAR INTO THE NEW ONE. EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING SITUATION. I NOW HAVE A 2015 BUICK LACROSSE WHICH I BOUGHT FOR 19,800. JUST SO SHOCKING THAT AN AMERICAN MADE TRANSMISSION WOULD BURN UP AT 89,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, BUT IN SLOW TRAFFIC ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN NASHVILLE WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN. I WILL SEND COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS.

NHTSA ODI #11085144

33,000 miles · Dec 16, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL FROM UNDER THE HOUSING UNIT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, IT WOULD JERK AND HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL FROM UNDER THE HOUSING UNIT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, IT WOULD JERK AND HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ODI #10935625

29,750 miles · Dec 14, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY VEHICLE A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE CXL 2.4L ENGINE RPO LAF. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE MAKING NOISE DUE TO BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN SPECIAL COVERAGE RECALL 12313 WHERE BACK THEN THEY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THE BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN, TENSIONER, AND ALSO THE ENGINE MOUNT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, THEN TO SAY THIS BULLETIN HAS BEEN RE…

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MY VEHICLE A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE CXL 2.4L ENGINE RPO LAF. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE MAKING NOISE DUE TO BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN SPECIAL COVERAGE RECALL 12313 WHERE BACK THEN THEY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THE BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN, TENSIONER, AND ALSO THE ENGINE MOUNT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, THEN TO SAY THIS BULLETIN HAS BEEN 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. PLEASE DISCARD ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 12313B. CAME THE REVISED 12313B AND NOW AS OF SEPTEMBER 2016 REVISED AGAIN TO 12313C. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 43180 IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WITH THE SAME ENGINE RPO LAF. I'VE CALLED GM VARIOUS TIMES AND SPOKE EVEN TO THE GM DEALER, MY CAR WAS EVEN AT THE DEALER SITTING THERE FOR WEEKS TO ONLY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED THAT I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO GET RECALLED. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS, THE OIL SMELLS LIKE GAS, AND I CAN'T SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, IT STAYS RUNNING AND THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT IT OFF IS PUTTING IT ON DRIVE THEN SHUTTING IT OFF. ALL THIS DUE TO ON SOME 2010-2011 MODEL YEAR BUICK LACROSSE, CHEVROLET EQUINOX, AND GMC TERRAIN; AND 2011 MODEL YEAR BUICK REGAL VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L ENGINE (LAF), THE CHROME LAYER ON THE BALANCE CHAIN PINS MAY WEAR, ALLOWING THE CHAIN TO STRETCH. THIS WOULD CAUSE AN ENGINE NOISE, AND IF LEFT UNTREATED, COULD CAUSE THE CHAIN TO BREAK, LEADING TO ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO NOT RUN RIGHT AND A HARD TIME TO ACCELERATE GM CASE # 8-2573359821

NHTSA ODI #10935214

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2016
Power Train

2011 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THERE WAS A 5-15 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION RESPONDED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10689350

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.