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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.

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
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2015
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V447000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10671799

29,988 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AS THE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION WARNING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AS THE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SUSPENSION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,988. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 9/11/17*CN

NHTSA ODI #10667693

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2014
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (SEATS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10650699

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2014
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAGS LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE SEAT BELT IS IN PLACE, HAD THE PROBLEM FIX ONCE AND THE LIGHT STAYED MAYBE TWO WEEKS BUT HAS BEEN ON SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648961

54,178 miles · Oct 7, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED AND LATER REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPROACHING TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED SEVERAL WARNING MESSAGES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED AND LATER REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPROACHING TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED SEVERAL WARNING MESSAGES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,178. PAM

NHTSA ODI #10643152

63,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Engine

WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP OR TURNING CAR WILL SOMETIMES SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WILL LOCK UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607285

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2014
Electrical System

ON MORE THAN 10-15 OCCASIONS I'VE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE KEYLESS IGNITION, WHEREBY THERE IS ONLY ONE CLICK AND THEN NO ABILITY TO START MY VEHICLE UNLESS I CONTINUE TO PRESS THE BUTTON WHILE TURNING OFF ANY AND ALL AC, RADIO, POWER ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED 1 YEAR AGO IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT NOTICED THAT …

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ON MORE THAN 10-15 OCCASIONS I'VE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE KEYLESS IGNITION, WHEREBY THERE IS ONLY ONE CLICK AND THEN NO ABILITY TO START MY VEHICLE UNLESS I CONTINUE TO PRESS THE BUTTON WHILE TURNING OFF ANY AND ALL AC, RADIO, POWER ETC. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED 1 YEAR AGO IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT NOTICED THAT IT ALREADY HAD A NEW BATTERY THAT WAS INSTALLED EARLIER IN 2013.THE VEHICLE IS A 2011 AND THAT SEEMED VERY ODD. WHAT I'VE NOTICED IS THAT THE BATTERY TERMINALS CONTINUALLY CORRODE MOSTLY ON THE "POSITIVE" TERMINAL AND I'VE REMOVED AND BRUSHED THEM SEVERAL TIMES AND TIGHTEN, AND THAT SEEMS TO WORK WHEN IT JUST ABSOLUTELY WON'T START. BIG INCONVENIENCE WHEN I'M USUALLY DRESSED IN A SUIT... UNFORTUNATELY, I'VE TAKEN IT TO THREE DIFFERENT GM BUICK DEALERSHIPS OVER THE PAST MONTH AND A HALF AND IT NEVER WILL REPRODUCE THE DEFECT WHEN I'M THERE, SO THEY'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO EVALUATE AND REMEDY. NOTICED SERVICE BULLETIN PI-0412 FOR PARASITIC DRAIN/DISCHARGE SO NOW I'LL TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY CAN DETERMINE THE CAUSE BASED ON THIS. VERY FRUSTRATING TO NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS DIAGNOSED AND CORRECTED BEFORE I POTENTIALLY FIND MYSELF TOTALLY STRANDED AWAY FROM HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592958

5,004 miles · May 12, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteeringCrash

ATTEMPTED TO STOP FOR RED TRAFFIC LIGHT; APPLIED BRAKES BUT THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. CAR THEN ACCELERATED -- USED BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL UNSUCCESSFULLY. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP LAUNCHING CAR INTO VEHICLES PARKED IN A USED CAR DEALERSHIP LOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587767

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment

2011 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE INTEGRATED FLIP KEY SYSTEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING HIS MOTHER'S VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO ACTIVATE THE IGNITION, THE DRIVER MUST EXTEND THE BUICK INTEGRATED FLIP KEY. AFTER THE FLIP KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, THE DRIVER MUST T…

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2011 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE INTEGRATED FLIP KEY SYSTEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING HIS MOTHER'S VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO ACTIVATE THE IGNITION, THE DRIVER MUST EXTEND THE BUICK INTEGRATED FLIP KEY. AFTER THE FLIP KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, THE DRIVER MUST TURN THE BUICK INTEGRATED FLIP KEY DEVICE TO START THE VEHICLE. DURING THE PROCESS, THE DRIVER OFTEN INADVERTENTLY PLACED PRESSURE WITH HIS OR HER THUMB OR INDEX FINGER ON THE TRUNK LATCH DISENGAGEMENT SWITCH. THE SWITCH DISENGAGED THE TRUNK SECURITY LATCH. HOWEVER, THE TRUNK DID NOT OPEN, TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS NOTICEABLE TO THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS. HOWEVER, WHILE STOPPING, THE UN-LATCHED TRUNK INEVITABLY OPENED.

NHTSA ODI #10578744

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

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.