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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 complaints

9 reports
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180,000 miles · Oct 27, 2025
SuspensionVisibility

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to use the defroster, the HVAC system was not working properly, and paper towels were used to wipe the inside and outside windshield. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH or while slowing down to come to a stop, t…

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The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to use the defroster, the HVAC system was not working properly, and paper towels were used to wipe the inside and outside windshield. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH or while slowing down to come to a stop, there was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to have the HVAC system reprogrammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the HVAC system could not be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to have the abnormal sound coming from the rear end diagnosed. The contact researched online and related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V149000 (Visibility) and 20V764000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #11695748

155,000 miles · May 28, 2024
Visibility

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a failure with the defrost system. The contact stated that the windows failed to defrost properly, causing a visibility hazard while driving. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The ma…

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The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a failure with the defrost system. The contact stated that the windows failed to defrost properly, causing a visibility hazard while driving. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

NHTSA ODI #11591050

124,000 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Electrical SystemVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHADE BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED ROLL BACK AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIM HUDSON BUICK GMC (4035 KAISER HILL RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29203) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE COST OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHADE BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED ROLL BACK AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIM HUDSON BUICK GMC (4035 KAISER HILL RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29203) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THROTTLE- POSITION SENSOR FAILED AS WELL.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11366419

45,000 miles · Aug 7, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION INSIDE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTLE MOTOR CORPORATION (12525 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23602, (757) 886-1700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION INSIDE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTLE MOTOR CORPORATION (12525 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23602, (757) 886-1700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER 2 OR 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES IN WHICH THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11343834

150,000 miles · May 29, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11326463

117,350 miles · Aug 6, 2019
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE DEFROSTER ON THE HOT SETTING IN ORDER FOR THE WINDOWS TO CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE DEFROSTER ON THE HOT SETTING IN ORDER FOR THE WINDOWS TO CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,350.

NHTSA ODI #11241977

112,000 miles · Sep 20, 2018
Electrical SystemVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING, AND DEFROSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING, AND DEFROSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #11130416

7,000 miles · Oct 18, 2017
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD IN COLD TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD IN COLD TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME FROSTED WITH ICE AND DECREASED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.

NHTSA ODI #11034304

1,630 miles · Jan 28, 2011
EquipmentVisibility

MOONROOF FRONT GLASS OF MY 2011 BUICK LACROSSE EXPLODED OUTWARD WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE. SOUNDED LIKE A GUN GOING OFF. CLIMATE CONTROL WAS ON "AUTO". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379441

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.