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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2021
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I noticed today as I was stopped at a red light with my foot on brake the vehicle was kinda jumping like it was trying to go while foot was on brake. I drove a little further and the service stabilitrak light came on followed by the reduced engine power. The car proceeded to die in the middle of a busy street. After a few minute…

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I noticed today as I was stopped at a red light with my foot on brake the vehicle was kinda jumping like it was trying to go while foot was on brake. I drove a little further and the service stabilitrak light came on followed by the reduced engine power. The car proceeded to die in the middle of a busy street. After a few minutes it did restart and I was able to get it home. This seems to be a common problem with 2011 buick lacrosse. Ihave seen several complaints about this same issue.

NHTSA ODI #11424471

91,431 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. SUDDENLY THE INFORMATION PANEL FLASHED STABILITRAK SERVICE REQUIRED (OR SIMILAR) THEN LOW POWER MODE. CAR WENT FROM 60 TO 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. UNABLE TO SPEED UP. NEEDED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED CAR OFF. TRIED TO RESTART AND IT WOULDN'T RESTART FOR SEVERAL TRIES. RESTARTED…

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DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. SUDDENLY THE INFORMATION PANEL FLASHED STABILITRAK SERVICE REQUIRED (OR SIMILAR) THEN LOW POWER MODE. CAR WENT FROM 60 TO 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. UNABLE TO SPEED UP. NEEDED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TURNED CAR OFF. TRIED TO RESTART AND IT WOULDN'T RESTART FOR SEVERAL TRIES. RESTARTED AND STILL SAID LOW POWER AND WAS IDLING LOW. TRIED AGAIN AND WAS NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND ALWAYS IS SIMILAR. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL IN A 30 MILE TRIP, SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS 3 TIMES. VERY DANGEROUS! COULD BE REAR ENDED! I HAVE READ MANY OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. AFTER THIS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. WHEN I HAD THE AUTO PARTS STORE RUN DIAGNOSTICS IT FLAGGED MULTIPLE MISFIRES, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR 3 TIMES, POWER CONTROL MODULE INDICATOR, TRACTION CONTROL. IT SEEMS THIS IS A FLAW IN THIS CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO GET A PICTURE OF THE SATBILITRAK SENSOR INDICATOR LIGHT, BUT IT FLASHES ON AND OFF PRETTY QUICKLY AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11181366

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

105,000 miles · Jan 4, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THE STABILITRAC AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REDUCED POWER WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THE STABILITRAC AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REDUCED POWER WARNING INDICATOR ALSO ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE SENSOR IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL HUB THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/04/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. UPDATED 07/25/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10939697

12,890 miles · Apr 9, 2014
SteeringStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHILE TURNING LEFT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND GAINED SPEED/MOMENTUM WHILE AT SAME TIME STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN & DRIVER COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. CAR DID NOT COMPLETE THE LEFT TURN BUT RATHER CONTINUED DRIVING AS IF ALL ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A HIGH CURB ON RIGHT SIDE OF…

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WHILE TURNING LEFT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND GAINED SPEED/MOMENTUM WHILE AT SAME TIME STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN & DRIVER COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. CAR DID NOT COMPLETE THE LEFT TURN BUT RATHER CONTINUED DRIVING AS IF ALL ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A HIGH CURB ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY; FRONT CAR PARTS SIMPLY CRUMBLED AND FELL OFF; SUSPENSION WAS RUINED; CAR TIRE WAS PUNCTURED ALONG WITH THE TIRE RIM BEING CRACKED CLEAR THROUGH IN A COUPLE OF AREAS. DRIVER WAS INJURED WITH HEAD INJURY, CRACKED RIB, AND BROKEN RT. FOREARM. CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578613

4,181 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM NOT LONG AFTER GETTING CAR WHEN STOPPED IN DRIVE GOING FROM BRAKE TO GAS CAR SEEMS TO ACT LIKE ITS ON OIL SLICK THEN CATCHES ON WITH A SUDDEN JERK. IT WILL ALSO WHEN GOING FROM GAS TO BRAKE EVEN ON INCLINE WILL LUNGE FORWARD IT ALSO WILL JUST SUDDENLY SPEED UP WITH OUT ANY ACCELERATION ITS LIKE THE CAR IS…

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I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM NOT LONG AFTER GETTING CAR WHEN STOPPED IN DRIVE GOING FROM BRAKE TO GAS CAR SEEMS TO ACT LIKE ITS ON OIL SLICK THEN CATCHES ON WITH A SUDDEN JERK. IT WILL ALSO WHEN GOING FROM GAS TO BRAKE EVEN ON INCLINE WILL LUNGE FORWARD IT ALSO WILL JUST SUDDENLY SPEED UP WITH OUT ANY ACCELERATION ITS LIKE THE CAR IS IN CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVE HAD CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES AND ALWAYS THEY CANT TELL ME ANYTHING I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO NOTICES THIS ANYONE WHO IS IN CAR ASKS WHAT WAS THAT OR WHAT JUST HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532433

24,000 miles · May 30, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED TO SEND A ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED TO SEND A ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514263

3,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION DURING A LOW SPEED (<5 MPH) TIGHT LEFT HAND TURN. FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN CRASH AGAINST HOUSE WALL, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. VEHICLE REPAIRED BELOW INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE, NO DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE. SECOND INCIDENT IN A PARKING LOT, ON OR ABOUT MAY 16, 2012, ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITH NO CRASH. THIR…

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SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION DURING A LOW SPEED (<5 MPH) TIGHT LEFT HAND TURN. FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN CRASH AGAINST HOUSE WALL, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. VEHICLE REPAIRED BELOW INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE, NO DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE. SECOND INCIDENT IN A PARKING LOT, ON OR ABOUT MAY 16, 2012, ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITH NO CRASH. THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED AT NEIGHBORS HOUSE JUNE 26, 2012, CAUSING CRASH. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND GARAGE DOOR. ALL INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHEN LIFTING FROM ACCELERATOR PRIOR TO STEPPING ON THE BRAKE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE (VEHICLE STILL IN DRIVE, NO BRAKING). AFTER 3RD INCIDENT VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE BUT WAS TOWED TO THE SELLING/SERVICING BUICK DEALER. VEHICLE IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED BY DEALER. CONDITION DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY TIME IN THE SAME TIGHT LEFT HAND TURN. TYPE OF TURN IS 90 DEGREES IN DRIVEWAYS TO SIDE LOADING GARAGES AND INTO PARKING SPACES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463391

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.