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2013 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 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

74 reports with mileage · 55 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 54 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.

5 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

Seats complaints

3 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2018
SeatsStructureVisibility/wiper

INSIDE WE WENT TO DISCUSS TERMS. SALESMAN " THIS VEHICLE IS A CBG/CPO, 2 WARRANTIES, IT'S LIKE BUYING A NEW CAR!" HE INSISTED YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO FIND A LACROSSE TOURING, AND WITH THESE WARRANTIES WE GUARANTEE THIS VEHICLE.ONE OWNER,NO ACCIDENTS. FINANCE MANAGER WASN'T PROFESSIONAL! MY CAR WASN'T DETAILED, & HAD SOME MINOR CHI…

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INSIDE WE WENT TO DISCUSS TERMS. SALESMAN " THIS VEHICLE IS A CBG/CPO, 2 WARRANTIES, IT'S LIKE BUYING A NEW CAR!" HE INSISTED YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO FIND A LACROSSE TOURING, AND WITH THESE WARRANTIES WE GUARANTEE THIS VEHICLE.ONE OWNER,NO ACCIDENTS. FINANCE MANAGER WASN'T PROFESSIONAL! MY CAR WASN'T DETAILED, & HAD SOME MINOR CHIP'S! SALESMAN SAID, BRING IT BACK. SUNDAY 3/19/2017, I'M READING OVER MY CONTRACT ONLY TO FIND OUT 1ST PAYMENT DUE NEXT DAY. THEN GO LOOK OVER THE CAR LIKE SALESMAN SAID TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. PAINT CHIPPED ON DOOR, PAINT BADLY CHIPPED ON BUMPER, CLEAR COAT ISSUE'S, FRONT WINDSHIELD ENTIRE TOP BUBBLING, LOOKS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, CONSOLE PEELING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS NEED TO BE REPLACED, MOLD ON TOP OF WINDOW FRAMES. IT TOOK (4) APPOINTMENTS/TRIPS TO GET MY VEHICLE IN FOR 1ST SERVICE! 4TH TRIP SUCCESS. THEY HAD SAID VEHICLE FOR A MONTH! WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK IT HAD MORE DAMAGE THAN WHEN I LEFT IT! NOW "FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BOTTOM IS TORN, REPAIRS NOT FINISHED! MUST ORDER SEAT COVER AND AGAIN TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. GET MY VEHICLE BACK AGAIN. THEY'VE HAD MY CAR MORE THAN I @ 4TH PYMNT! BOTTOM FRONT OF GRILL BROKEN, SAGGING PAINT IN FRONT, SAGGING PAINT REAR, OVER SPRAY IN DOOR JAM RIGHT PASSENGER, REPLACE "WINDSHIELD WIPERS! TOTAL TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP (8)! OVIOUS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A ACCIDENT! WHOMEVER WAS DRIVING IT AT THE DEALERSHIP HIDE IT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME, "ONE OWNER CAR, NO ACCIDENTS! THIS VEHICLE HAS A NEW RIGHT HEADLIGHT, I ONLY RECENTLY FOUND OUT IT'S HAD (19) SERVICES; IN WHICH (3) WERE FRONT END ALIGNMENTS! BODY SHOP, SAID, NEW HEADLAMP, BROKEN GRILL, SAGGING PAINT, FRONT AND REAR WITH OVER SPRAY "NOT ONLY BAD REPAIRS/PAINTING" VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A ACCIDENT! THE DEALERSHIP SAID TO ME, THIS IS A OLD CAR, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT! WHEN I PURCHASED IT NEW CAR WITH (3) WARRANTIES THEY WERE SELLING.

NHTSA ODI #11063100

36,500 miles · Dec 6, 2017
Electrical SystemSeats

COMPLETE BLACKOUT OF MONITOR (NAVIGATION SCREEN) INCLUDING REAR VIEW CAMERA WHILE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AND HAPPENED ONCE DURING STARTUP OF VEHICLE. SOMETIMES BEFORE BLACKOUT VERTICAL LINES APPEAR. ESTIMATED TIME OF BLACKOUT HAS LASTED MORE THAN ONE MINUTE AND I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER UNTIL IT APPEARS. I H…

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COMPLETE BLACKOUT OF MONITOR (NAVIGATION SCREEN) INCLUDING REAR VIEW CAMERA WHILE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AND HAPPENED ONCE DURING STARTUP OF VEHICLE. SOMETIMES BEFORE BLACKOUT VERTICAL LINES APPEAR. ESTIMATED TIME OF BLACKOUT HAS LASTED MORE THAN ONE MINUTE AND I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER UNTIL IT APPEARS. I HAVE HAD PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WHO HAVE WITNESSED THIS OCCURRENCE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE MAYBE 2 OR 3 TIMES TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP, THE LAST TIME THEY REPLACED THE FULL MONITOR, AS THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING AND EVEN WORSE BECAUSE ITS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I AM GOING TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP TOMORROW ABOUT THIS AND A NEW PROBLEM WITH THE SEATS NOT HEATING UP, WHICH WAS NEVER A PROBLEM UNTIL THE SCREEN BLANKED OUT ONE NIGHT. I'M SUSPICIOUS IF THIS IS RELATED TO WHATEVER IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM WITH THE MONITOR. THERE MAY BE SOME WIRING/COMPUTER/TECHNICAL GLITCH WHICH NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED. I HOPE THE NHSA WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, AS I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY HAZARD. A RESPONSE BACK WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ODI #11052853

4,900 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Air BagsSeats

PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE TOO SENSITIVE. OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DETECT ADULT SIZED PASSENGERS. HOWEVER A SMALL PURSE (6LBS) IS SUFFICIENT TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE AND RING THE CHIMES ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER IS NOT BELTED IN. TESTED WITH 8 Y/O DA…

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PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE TOO SENSITIVE. OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DETECT ADULT SIZED PASSENGERS. HOWEVER A SMALL PURSE (6LBS) IS SUFFICIENT TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE AND RING THE CHIMES ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER IS NOT BELTED IN. TESTED WITH 8 Y/O DAUGHTER (43LBS) WITH SAME RESULT. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE SYSTEM AND FOUND IT TO BE PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE RETURNED MY PHONE CALL AND STATED THAT BASED ON THE MALFUNCTION AND THE VERBIAGE IN BULLETIN 12-09-41-002A THIS MALFUNCTION IS OKAY AND NO FURTHER SERVICE IS REQUIRED. IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT MY 2007 YUKON XL DENALI REQUIRES A WEIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY 40 LBS TO ACTIVATE THE SEATBELT INDICATOR AND ABOUT 80LBS TO TURN ON THE AIRBAG. BUICK NEEDS TO BE RECALIBRATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520736

Official recalls

5

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.

21V633000 · Suspension:rear

Aug 12, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and 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 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. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 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 N212330130.

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.

13V173000 · Electrical System

May 6, 2013

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

13V097000 · Electrical System:software; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Mar 15, 2013

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:software

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.

Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.

Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.

Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.

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

2

AQ14001 · Sands Chevrolet/hybrid System Fire/stall

Opened May 2, 2014 · Closed May 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ?? 30112(a), 30120(i)).NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Sands Chevrolet on May 5, 2014.Sands Chevrolet responded to this request on May 22, 2014.To ensure NHTSA?s information request encompassed all possible reference codes for General Motors recall 13V-173, NHTSA issued another IR letter to Sands Chevrolet on June 8, 2015.Again, a response letter was received on June 9, 2015.NHTSA?s investigation indicated that Sands Chevrolet did sell and deliver recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Sands Chevrolet was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated March 24, 2016, Sands Chevrolet represented that it improved its processes to verify that it checks every vehicle for recalls prior to delivery to the purchaser and that it has not sold and delivered any unremedied new motor vehicles since June 9, 2015.Sands Chevrolet also represented that it now also checks for open recalls on every customer vehicle brought in for service, and that it checks for open recalls on every used trade-in vehicle, regardless of make or model, and takes steps to have all used trade-in vehicles repaired prior to retail sale. Sands Chevrolet admitted to violating the law and must pay civil penalties in the amount of $40,000.This Audit Query is closed.

RQ13003 · Generator Control Module Fires

Opened Jul 5, 2013 · Closed Jul 22, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the Generator Control Module (GCM) in certain model year (MY) 2012-13 Buick LaCrosse and Regal and MY 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco equipped with eAssist.This condition may result in a loss of battery charge, engine stall and/or inability for the vehicle to start.In severe cases it may also lead to odor, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk.During discussions with General Motors (GM), ODI was informed that the subject vehicles could be separated into 4 distinct build populations, or groups. Group A contained vehicles built from the start of production through 3/19/2012.Group B involved vehicles built from 3/20/2012 to 8/20/2012, group C from 8/21/2012 to 12/31/12, and group D from 1/1/2013 onwards.Bulletin 13136 instructed dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the GCM for vehicles in groups A or C.Bulletin 13142 instructed dealers to replace the GCM of any vehicle in group B.Group D vehicles were not recalled.All eAssist vehicles have a Powerpack which contains a BAS (belt alternator-starter) Power Inverter Module (BPIM)/Accessory Power Module (APM) and a 115-V Lithium-Ion battery.The Powerpack is known by GM's Part Description System as the GCM and Battery Module. The BPIM/APM contains 3 multi-layered printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprised of conductive layers separated by isolating layers.Vehicles built within the time periods of groups A and B had PCBs using single isolation layers.Vehicles build in group C had dual isolation layers on 1 of the 3 PCBs, and group D had all 3 PCBs built with dual insulation.Adding dual insulation to a PCB makes it more robust to material and manufacturing variations, and ultimately less susceptible to an electrical short circuit and subsequent failure.Through initial analysis of the GCM failures, GM identified that vehicles within group B contained PCBs that were contaminated during production due to increased production volumes that resulted in inadequate quality control.GM also noted that GCM failures occurred early in the life of the vehicle (typically <1000 miles).Therefore a service procedure was developed to replicate early life failures by subjecting the GCM to high current loads which would cause the identified failure mechanism (copper migration) to occur quickly and reveal any underlying PCB defect.Although groups A and C were built with PCBs containing single layer PCBs, they were built using better quality control, and as the data supports, experienced significantly lower failures.GM advised that for these reasons the two different service procedures were used in the Recall 13V-173 population.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) GM submitted 234 unique reports related to the alleged problem. It was noted that 197 (84%) of the received reports fell into the group B population.The 2 fire incidents noted were events in which flames were evident and/or damage was experienced outside of the GCM. Both of these incidents involved group B vehicles. One hundred four warranty claims were also submitted in response to the IR, with 96 claims (92%) from group B.It was also noted that none of the claims from groups A or C occurred after the service procedure was conducted, and that the majority of the A or C incidents occurred during the service procedure.Given the data, ODI believes the ser