WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT STOP SIGN BY APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP THEN ACCELERATED. WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BRAKES STILL FAILED WITH VEHICLE PLYING THROUGH FIELD AND COMING TO REST ONLY WHEN PLOWING INTO AN EMBANKMENT,
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lacrosse years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
169 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE LOSING POWER WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE START TO LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE LOSING POWER WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE START TO LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. ON THREE OCCASIONS THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS SWITCHED TO HEAT AND HIGH FAN, LOCKING THE DRIVER OUT OF THE CONTROLS AND CAUSING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TO BECOME EXTREMELY HOT AND UNCOMFORTABLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON ONE OCCASION, TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND LET THE CAR SIT…
Read full complaint
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. ON THREE OCCASIONS THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS SWITCHED TO HEAT AND HIGH FAN, LOCKING THE DRIVER OUT OF THE CONTROLS AND CAUSING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TO BECOME EXTREMELY HOT AND UNCOMFORTABLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON ONE OCCASION, TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE CAR. THE SYSTEM RETURNED TO NORMAL. ON TWO OF THE THREE OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. ON ONE OCCASION IT HAPPENED IN THE GARAGE. DASH LIGHTS - WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ALL PASSENGER COMPARTMENT LIGHTS WENT OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, AND THEN CAME BACK ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE BATTERY. THEY FOUND NO COMPUTER CODES TO EXPLAIN THE MALFUNCTION.
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
DEFROSTER,HEAT,A/C,FAN SPEED,RECIRC, HEAT/COOL SEATS FUNCTIONS FAILED (STOPPED WORKING COMPLETLY) WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM ON JANUARY 12, 2016 ON HIGHWAY US 131 TO TRAVERSE CITY, MI. FOUND RECALL INFORMATION NHTSA # 11V149000. BROUGHT TO DEALER. DEALER SAID NOT COVERRED UNDER RECAL DUE TO VIN #, AND OWNER COST OF $400 + TO …
Read full complaint
DEFROSTER,HEAT,A/C,FAN SPEED,RECIRC, HEAT/COOL SEATS FUNCTIONS FAILED (STOPPED WORKING COMPLETLY) WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM ON JANUARY 12, 2016 ON HIGHWAY US 131 TO TRAVERSE CITY, MI. FOUND RECALL INFORMATION NHTSA # 11V149000. BROUGHT TO DEALER. DEALER SAID NOT COVERRED UNDER RECAL DUE TO VIN #, AND OWNER COST OF $400 + TO REPAIR. CONTACTED BUICK CUSTOMER CARE. SPOKE WITH ASIA AND LESLIE ON 1/15/16, WHO SAID GM COULD NOT HELP. I DESCRIBED LANGUAGE OF THE RECALL AS BEING IDENTICAL TO THE SAFETY HAZARD DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA LANGUAGE: "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS" ON THESE VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE MAY DISABLE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SETTINGS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE COOLING AND VENTILATION FOR THE VEHICLE. 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."
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…
Read full complaint
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-SKID DEVICE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUOUSLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE TRUNK OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUOUSLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,400. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUCK POPPED OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND IN THE PARKING LOT, AT HIS JOB. UPDATED 10/25/16.*JB
AIR BAG LIGHT FRONT PASSENGER STAYS ON WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT
THE TRUCK POPS ALL THE WAY OPEN/UP WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF OR WHILE I AM DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. IT HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES BUT I CAN NOT DUPLICATE IT SO I CAN GET IT FIXED BY GM.
Official recalls
421V00F000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration