← New search

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

What owners actually said

169 reports
24,000 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10484495

8,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY CAR LOST POWER AND I WASN'T SURE I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT AROUND THE CORNER. AFTER A FEW SECONDS MY CAR REGAINED POWER. 45 MINUTES LATER, I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THEN FELT A SUDDEN LURCH. I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW THAT MY TRUNK HAD POPPED OPEN. I MANAGE…

Read full complaint

WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MY CAR LOST POWER AND I WASN'T SURE I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT AROUND THE CORNER. AFTER A FEW SECONDS MY CAR REGAINED POWER. 45 MINUTES LATER, I MADE A RIGHT TURN INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THEN FELT A SUDDEN LURCH. I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW THAT MY TRUNK HAD POPPED OPEN. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY, PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I GOT OUT, CLOSED THE TRUNK, GOT BACK IN THE CAR, AND FASTENED MY SEATBELT. BEFORE I COULD CLOSE THE DOOR, THE TRUNK POPPED OPEN AGAIN. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES BEFORE THE TRUNK FINALLY STAYED CLOSED. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I PARKED THE CAR, OPENED THE DOOR, STARTED TO GET OUT AND THE WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. I GOT BACK IN AND SAW THAT THE ON THE CONSOLE SHIFT LEVER THAT INDICATES YOUR CAR IS IN PARK WAS LIT UP EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. IN ORDER TO GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF, I HAD TO RESTART MY CAR AND THEN TURN IT OFF AGAIN. NEXT I PUSHED THE ONSTAR PHONE BUTTON AND ASKED TO CALL MY HOME. I GOT A BUSY SIGNAL. I CALLED A SECOND TIME AND MY HUSBAND AT THE NUMBER I WAS CALLING, HEARD ME TELLING ONSTAR CALL MY HOME' BUT I COULDN'T HEAR HIM TRYING TO TALK TO ME. ALL OF THESE THINGS HAPPENED WITHIN 1 1/2 HOURS. THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND THAT I COULD NOT LOCK THE DOOR BY TOUCHING THE LOCK SPOT ON THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THEN I COULD NOT UNLOCK THE CAR DOOR BY PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE WHEN THE KEY WAS IN MY POCKET. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR AND EIGHT MONTHS AND THE DRIVER'S MEMORY SEAT HAS OFTEN LOST ITS MEMORY. SOMETIMES JUST ONE BUTTON BUT MOST OF THE TIME BOTH BUTTONS. PRIOR TO THIS I HAD BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY TRUNK. I'D LEAVE MY CAR PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT AND COME OUT TO FIND MY TRUNK WIDE OPEN. ON MAY 3RD THE GM DEALER REPLACED A PART HOPING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482287

15,402 miles · Oct 24, 2012
TiresWheels

FRONT LEFT TIRE AND RIM CAME OFF. SPOKE OF THE WHEEL REMAINED. LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW. FRAGMENTS FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL PIERCED TIRE. POLICE REPORT 31-798-12... UPDATED 11/07/12 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10483063

11,290 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT, WHO INSTRUCTED THE DEALER NOT TO MODIFY THE VE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT, WHO INSTRUCTED THE DEALER NOT TO MODIFY THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS DESIGNED TO ONLY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN WEIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,290. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPORTED THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. UPDATED 09/11/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468977

17,000 miles · Jul 15, 2012
Structure

THE POSTS ON THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE RESTRICT VISIBILITY TO A SERIOUS DEGREE. BECAUSE OF THE POST ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR BLOCKING VISIBILITY I HAVE HAD NEAR MISSES, AND ACTUALLY CAUSED ME TO HIT A CURB AND GET A FLAT TIRE. OTHER TIMES I HAVEN'T SEEN PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR. THE POST AND MIRRORS SIZE…

Read full complaint

THE POSTS ON THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE RESTRICT VISIBILITY TO A SERIOUS DEGREE. BECAUSE OF THE POST ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR BLOCKING VISIBILITY I HAVE HAD NEAR MISSES, AND ACTUALLY CAUSED ME TO HIT A CURB AND GET A FLAT TIRE. OTHER TIMES I HAVEN'T SEEN PEOPLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR. THE POST AND MIRRORS SIZE AND LOCATION MAKES IT A VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465686

15,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED THE MEDIUM AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUST…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED THE MEDIUM AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK AND LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS PERFORMING UP TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN ENGINEER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SENSORS DID NOT NOTIFY ONSTAR AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO EVEN IF THE AIRBAGS DO NOT DEPLOY. GENERAL MOTORS FOUND THERE WAS NO DEFECT WITH THE AIRBAGS. UPDATED 09/06/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10465086

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…

Read full complaint

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

5,334 miles · Jun 11, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, VEHICLE ELECTRONICS WENT INOPT WHILE CRUISING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. SPEEDOMETER, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, TURN SIGNALS, NAVIGATION AND RADIO WERE ALL INOPT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461254

6,000 miles · Dec 4, 2011
Structure

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO AND HAVE HAD TWO NEAR MISSES. BOTH INVOLVING A PERSON AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER. THE DRIVER HAS A HUGE BLIND SPOT (14") BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOW GLASS WHICH INTEFERS WITH SEEING. IN ADDITION, THIS BLIND SPOT IS CLOSE TO THE DRIVER, MAKING IT MUCH WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438513

2,900 miles · Nov 23, 2011
SteeringCrash

HAVE HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT IT "IS THE WAY IT IS" RETURNED MULTIPLE TIMES . I WAS TO FIND A MAJOR SERVICE REPAIR ON LINE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS THEN SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED...BUT WITHIN 5 MILES OF OUR HOME ON A TWISTING…

Read full complaint

HAVE HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT IT "IS THE WAY IT IS" RETURNED MULTIPLE TIMES . I WAS TO FIND A MAJOR SERVICE REPAIR ON LINE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS THEN SUPPOSED TO BE REPAIRED...BUT WITHIN 5 MILES OF OUR HOME ON A TWISTING ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE LOCKING DEVISE!!!! I WAS TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR DUE TO THE WAY IT HAPPENED...WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND LOST CONTROL WENT OFF THE ROAD. I WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR..($40,000 +) DUE TO THE WAY IT IS NOW. THE DEALERSHIP..GM..WILL BE SENDING A TOW TRUCK TO RE SERVICE THE PROBLEM TODAY...(IF THE SAFETY PROBLEM IS CORRECTABLE ) THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM AND DEALERSHIP SAYS 'THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE SEEN SUCH A PROBLEM" (IF SO..WHY A SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED ..NHTSA 10038705..REFF PI-0462..? THE DEALERSHIP AND OR GM DID NOT STRESS THE SAFETY CONCERNS OF THIS PROBLEM. EVERYTHING ELSE ON THIS CAR HAS WORKED 100%...WITH EXCEPTION OF THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AFTER SERVICING AFTER THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED FOR THIS CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436826

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.