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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

Visibility/wiper complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2023
Visibility/wiper

When driving in rain and high humidity, the windshield and front windows will often completely fog up with moisture on the inside of the car. It can make seeing outside while driving impossible and risks an accident. In three years we have found no settings on the climate control system that will avoid this problem. We have had …

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When driving in rain and high humidity, the windshield and front windows will often completely fog up with moisture on the inside of the car. It can make seeing outside while driving impossible and risks an accident. In three years we have found no settings on the climate control system that will avoid this problem. We have had the heater core replaced in a futile attempt to remedy the situation. We have been told by Buick that there is no fix or recall.

NHTSA ODI #11507935

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2021
Visibility/wiper

Defrost doesn't always work. Can't see too drive when this happens. Thought there was a recall.

NHTSA ODI #11438791

72,700 miles · Dec 4, 2020
Visibility/wiper

II CANNOT CONTROL THE DEFROSTER OR FAN CONTROL. THE VIN. NO. SAYS THIS WAS ON RECALL . BUT THE BUICK DEALER IN MY AREA SAID IT NO A RECALL ON 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THEY WANT A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM . SOMETIMES THIS WORK AND OTHER WITH NO LUCK. ISOME TIMES HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 20 TO 30 MINUTE BEFORE I CAN THE DEFRO…

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II CANNOT CONTROL THE DEFROSTER OR FAN CONTROL. THE VIN. NO. SAYS THIS WAS ON RECALL . BUT THE BUICK DEALER IN MY AREA SAID IT NO A RECALL ON 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THEY WANT A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM . SOMETIMES THIS WORK AND OTHER WITH NO LUCK. ISOME TIMES HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 20 TO 30 MINUTE BEFORE I CAN THE DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD SO I DRIVE !!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11377872

1 miles · Oct 8, 2020
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

DRIVER CANNOT SEE ROAD WHICH WINDSHIELD STAYS FOGGED UP WHEN DRIVING AND WILL NOT DEFOG THIS IS A DANGER FOR IT COULD CAUSE IT LED TO CRASHES WINDSHIELD AND BACK WINDOW REMAINS FOGGED UP WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC I WAS JUST MADE AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND NEED THIS TAKEN CARE OF ASAP …

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DRIVER CANNOT SEE ROAD WHICH WINDSHIELD STAYS FOGGED UP WHEN DRIVING AND WILL NOT DEFOG THIS IS A DANGER FOR IT COULD CAUSE IT LED TO CRASHES WINDSHIELD AND BACK WINDOW REMAINS FOGGED UP WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC I WAS JUST MADE AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND NEED THIS TAKEN CARE OF ASAP THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11363324

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2020
Visibility/wiper

DEFROST SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY, FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROST SYSTEM FAILS TO CLEAR WINDOW, AND VISIBILITY IS AN ISSUE. HVAC SYSTEM DOESN'T COOL PROPERLY, COMPRESSOR COMES ON, HOWEVER TEMPERATURE ONLY LOWERS TO A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. TEMPERATURE COOLS BETTER WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11309877

130,000 miles · Jun 16, 2019
SeatsSteeringVisibility/wiper

WINDOWS WILL NOT DEFOG AC BARELY RUNS TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP TO GET A RECHARGE BUT STILL NOTHING. MY SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR ON DRIVER SIDE. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEOS BUT DON'T KNOW HOW SEND COPY PASTE THE LINK TO YOU...

NHTSA ODI #11220495

66,985 miles · Jan 7, 2019
EngineVisibility/wiper

ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ALLOWS WINDSHIELD TO BECOME FOGGED OVER AND I CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE OR CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM. I CANNOT CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING AND VENTILATION. EXAMPLE: THE SYSTEM SEEMS TO BLOW OR ALLOW WARM AIR IN CABIN WHEN THE A/C IS ON SET AT 68-72 DEGREES. THIS IS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AND AT IDLE ON ANY …

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ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ALLOWS WINDSHIELD TO BECOME FOGGED OVER AND I CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE OR CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM. I CANNOT CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING AND VENTILATION. EXAMPLE: THE SYSTEM SEEMS TO BLOW OR ALLOW WARM AIR IN CABIN WHEN THE A/C IS ON SET AT 68-72 DEGREES. THIS IS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AND AT IDLE ON ANY ROAD I TRAVEL. I REPORTED PROBLEM TO RICE BUICK-GMC, INC. 8330 KINGSTON PIKE KNOXVILLE, TN 37919-5449 (865) 693-0610 ON 9/16/2014, 9/25/2014 AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED & GETTING WORSE TO DATE 01/07/2019. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL. SAFETY RECALL IS LISTED FOR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE ON MARCH 4, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 SOFTWARE IN ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL AFFECTS DEFROST SYSTEM REDUCING DRIVERS VISIBILITY AND COULD RESULT IN CRASH. UNABLE TO CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM. SECOND PROBLEM IS ENGINE/ EMISSIONS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SENSOR ERRORS. ALL HAVE CAUSED CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON.

NHTSA ODI #11164871

85,000 miles · Apr 30, 2018
Visibility/wiper

SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD GOING 70MPH ON INTERSTATE. NO CARS AROUND ME NO BIRDS OR OTHER THINGS. ROAD PERFECTLY SMOOTH STRAIGHT DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. NO BAD WEATHER AND ALL WINDOWS RAISED AT THE TIME. SCARED ME TO DEATH. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL UP UNTIL THE TIME IT EXPLODED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BULLET AT FIRST.

NHTSA ODI #11091005

42,000 miles · Jun 23, 2017
Visibility/wiper

I HAVE ISSUES WITH MY DEFROST SYSTEM IN MY 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WHICH IS CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES (SAFETY) WHEN I DRIVE. SEVERAL TIMES I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS AND TRY TO GET MY WINDSHIELD TO DEFROST SO I COULD SEE TO DRIVE. I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON CARS.COM AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED IN MAR…

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I HAVE ISSUES WITH MY DEFROST SYSTEM IN MY 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WHICH IS CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES (SAFETY) WHEN I DRIVE. SEVERAL TIMES I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS AND TRY TO GET MY WINDSHIELD TO DEFROST SO I COULD SEE TO DRIVE. I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON CARS.COM AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED IN MARCH 2011 FOR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE MODELS FOR THE ECC MODULE DESCRIBING THE EXACT SYSTEMS MY CAR IS HAVING. I CALLED THE BUICK 1-800 NUMBER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL AND THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN# WAS NOT ON THAT RECALL LIST BUT I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND FOR REPAIRS AT MY EXPENSE. I EXPLAINED TO HER THAT I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IF MY CAR IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS THE RECALL IS STATING WHY WOULD MY CAR NOT BE UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE. SHE STATED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY MANUFACTURED AT A DIFFERENT PLANT AND NOT AT THE PLANT WHICH RECALLS WERE ISSUED. MY QUESTION IS "IF I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL FOR THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE MODELS THAN WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND FIXED?" I BELIEVE THAT BUICK SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND CONTACT A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY CAR DIAGNOSED AND THEN IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THOSE REPAIRS AS WELL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR (USED) IN OCTOBER 2014

NHTSA ODI #11000806

150,000 miles · May 23, 2017
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE HVAC SYSTEM FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE LOCAL DEALER (HIGH PERFORMANCE BUICK GMC, LOCATED AT 1985 CALIFORNIA AVE SW, CAMDEN, ARKANSAS) THAT THE ECC PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE HVAC SYSTEM FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE LOCAL DEALER (HIGH PERFORMANCE BUICK GMC, LOCATED AT 1985 CALIFORNIA AVE SW, CAMDEN, ARKANSAS) THAT THE ECC PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ECC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY) THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 07/13/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10991272

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.