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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
200 miles · Oct 2, 2011
Electrical System

THIS VEHICLE HAS THE PUSH BUTTON KEYLESS START. PAGE 10-89 OF THE OWNER MANUAL DESCRIBES THE METHOD TO MOVE THE TRANSMISSION LEVER FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT STARTING THE ENGINE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF TOWING THE VEHICLE OR MOVING IT WITHOUT STARTING THE ENGINE (IF THE CAR BATTERY IS DEAD OR THE ENGINE WILL NOT START FOR ANY OTHER…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS THE PUSH BUTTON KEYLESS START. PAGE 10-89 OF THE OWNER MANUAL DESCRIBES THE METHOD TO MOVE THE TRANSMISSION LEVER FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT STARTING THE ENGINE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF TOWING THE VEHICLE OR MOVING IT WITHOUT STARTING THE ENGINE (IF THE CAR BATTERY IS DEAD OR THE ENGINE WILL NOT START FOR ANY OTHER REASON), SUCH AS ONTO A TOW TRUCK FOR TRANSPORT TO A SERVICE CENTER. THE MANUAL SAYS TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE (THIS CANNOT BE DONE IF THE CAR BATTERY IS DEAD BECAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE IS ELECTRICALLY OPERATED), SELECT THE ACCESSORY MODE (BY PUSHING THE START BUTTON TO SHOW AN AMBER LIGHT AS DESCRIBED ON PAGE 9-20), THEN SQUEEZE THE SMALL LEVER ON THE FRONT OF THE TRANSMISSION LEVER, AND MOVE IT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL. THIS DOES NOT WORK. THE LEVER CANNOT BE MOVED OUT OF PARK. APPLYING THE FOOT BRAKE DOES NOT HELP. I TOOK THE CAR TO LIBERTY BUICK IN PEORIA, AZ, AND DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM TO SALESMEN AND SERVICE ADVISORS. NONE OF THEM COULD MAKE IT WORK OR EXPLAIN WHY. THIS PROCEDURE WAS TRIED WITH ANOTHER LACROSSE WITH THE KEYLESS START FEATURE AND IT ALSO DID NOT WORK, VERIFYING THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL LACROSSE KEYLESS START VEHICLES. THIS PROCEDURE WORKS WITH A "KEYED START" VEHICLE IF THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE 'ON' POSITION (NOT THE 'ACCESSORY' POSITION AS STATED IN THE MANUAL). APPARENTLY, INSUFFICIENT TESTING WAS DONE ON THIS FEATURE AND IT WAS NOT CORRECTLY PROGRAMMED INTO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. THE INTERLOCK BETWEEN THE ENGINE, BRAKE, AND TRANSMISSION LEVER IS NOT RELEASED IN THE ACCESSORY MODE AND THERE IS NO 'ON' POSITION FOR THE KEYLESS IGNITION WITHOUT STARTING THE ENGINE. THIS MEANS THAT IF MY CAR IS IN MY GARAGE OR ON A ROAD AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD OR THE ENGINE WILL NOT START, I WILL BE UNABLE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE OR OUT OF TRAFFIC OR ONTO A TOW TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10428628

1,050 miles · Sep 27, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT COULD NOT SEE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HOOD, FENDERS, AND BUMPER OR THE GROUND IN ORDER TO VERIFY WHEN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE SALES MANAGER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO INSTALL A BACK UP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT COULD NOT SEE THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HOOD, FENDERS, AND BUMPER OR THE GROUND IN ORDER TO VERIFY WHEN TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE SALES MANAGER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO INSTALL A BACK UP BUMPER CAMERA TO THE FRONT BUMPER TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,050 . THE CONSUMER STATED WHERE THE HOOD AND DASH MEET AT THE WINDSHIELD, BOTH ARE RISING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SIT ON TOP OF THAT. IT IS DESIGNED FOR RECESSED WIPERS, BUT THE BLADES ARE NOT RECESSED. THEY SIT ABOVE THE HIGH PART OF THE DASH. ONE THIRD OF THE HOOD SURFACE WOULD BE INVISIBLE WITHOUT WIPER BLADES. TO SEE THE HOOD TOP SURFACE, THE CONSUMER MUST RAISE THE SEAT AND PLACE IT FORWARD, SO HE CAN HIS CHIN OVER THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. UPDATED 10/28/11 UPDATED 11/09/2011 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427539

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2011
Seats

2011 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEAD REST LOCK IN VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD REST CAN NOT BE MOVED DUE TO THE ADDED LOCK FEATURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE FORCED TO LOOK DOWN AT THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO BE COMFORTABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO SUPPORT FROM THE SEAT…

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2011 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEAD REST LOCK IN VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD REST CAN NOT BE MOVED DUE TO THE ADDED LOCK FEATURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE FORCED TO LOOK DOWN AT THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO BE COMFORTABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO SUPPORT FROM THE SEAT OR THE HEAD REST, WHICH CAUSES A STIFF NECK AND SHOULDERS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10423714

435 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A PUSH BUTTON START ENGINE AND WHEN HE PUSHED THE BUTTON TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, THE ENGINE WOULD START WHILE HE WAS WALKING AWAY. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON FOR TEN MINUTES DURING THE LAST TWO TIMES THE FAILURE OCCURRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED IT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A PUSH BUTTON START ENGINE AND WHEN HE PUSHED THE BUTTON TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, THE ENGINE WOULD START WHILE HE WAS WALKING AWAY. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON FOR TEN MINUTES DURING THE LAST TWO TIMES THE FAILURE OCCURRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED IT WAS COMPUTERIZED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALSO STATED IT WAS ALL COMPUTERIZED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 435.

NHTSA ODI #10422742

412 miles · Aug 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WITH A 3.6 HAD POPPING SOUND UPON STARTING WHEN CAR WAS 5 DAYS OLD; BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ASKED IF I WAS SURE IT WAS MY CAR. THEY CHECKED VEHICLE AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT POPPED UPON STARTING 8-9 MORE TIMES IN 3 WEEKS. UPON LEAVING A RESTAURANT, THE VEHICLE…

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THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WITH A 3.6 HAD POPPING SOUND UPON STARTING WHEN CAR WAS 5 DAYS OLD; BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ASKED IF I WAS SURE IT WAS MY CAR. THEY CHECKED VEHICLE AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT POPPED UPON STARTING 8-9 MORE TIMES IN 3 WEEKS. UPON LEAVING A RESTAURANT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START & HAD NO POWER; ONSTAR WAS OF NO USE. DEALER HAD CAR TOWED TO THEM; KEPT CAR FOR 10 DAYS AND PUT 160 MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY REPROGRAMMED 3 COMPUTERS BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE POPPING SOUND. I PICKED UP MY CAR AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD BEEN HIT WHILE AT DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAD CAR PAINTED. I GOT MY CAR ON TUESDAY, THURSDAY IT POPPED TWICE. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER AGAIN. THEY TOLD ME TO PICK CAR UP THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THEY FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST EXPANDED UPON STARTING AND MADE A POOFING SOUND. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH BUICK EXECUTIVE OFFICES. THE CAR HAS 1087 MILES ON IT. IT HAD 287 WHEN I PURCHASED IT AND THEY PUT 160 MILES ON IT WHEN THEY HAD IT. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 6 WEEKS AND 2 OF THOSE WEEKS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE LIKE THE ONE I HAVE OR GIVE MY MONEY BACK. WHAT OPTIONS ARE LEFT?? LEMON LAW. I DON'T REALLY WANT TO DO THAT. I LOVE THE RIDE OF THE CAR AND THE FEATURES, BUT I CANNOT ENJOY IT AT ALL AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421071

9,142 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Power TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY REVERSED INTO THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE DOOR AND CONTINUED TO ROLL, CRASHING INTO A CURB WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND FOUR RIMS WERE DAMAGED. THE DRIVER SIDE DO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY REVERSED INTO THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE DOOR AND CONTINUED TO ROLL, CRASHING INTO A CURB WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND FOUR RIMS WERE DAMAGED. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A DENT ABOVE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND COLLISION REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,142. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10418208

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE FAILURE HAD PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK INTO GEAR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT THE CAUS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE FAILURE HAD PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK INTO GEAR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT RATHER THE PROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS SENDING INCORRECT SIGNALS TO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000. SM.

NHTSA ODI #10417682

1,810 miles · Jul 28, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE SUSPENSION LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,810.

NHTSA ODI #10415528

400 miles · Jul 28, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE SUSPENSION LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ALLOWED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE SUSPENSION LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ALLOWED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE IN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10415526

4,000 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,300.

NHTSA ODI #10408812

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.