2011 Buick Lacrosse problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (23) · Engine (20) · Visibility/Wiper (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Buick Lacrosse model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
125 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Suspension:rear 2021-12-22 · campaign 21V00F000 · 4,271 vehicles
Defect: 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 e
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear 2020-12-21 · campaign 20V764000 · 220,006 vehicles
Defect: 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 electrocoatin
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust 2014-07-23 · campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element 2011-03-04 · campaign 11V149000 · 10,179 vehicles
Defect: 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, AN
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,641)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,641 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-14 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 231,952 mi“the contact purchased a 2011 buick lacrosse. the contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 143,939 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 231,952.…”
2026-04-14 · Engine“i am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 buick lacrosse cxl. the vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation. the issue first occurred in january 2026. the vehicle was later towed for repair in february 2026, and i was told the issue had been fixed and picked up the vehicle 3/20/2026 and gave $…”
2025-10-27 · Visibility · 180,000 mi“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…”
2025-09-07 · Steering“when going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car i have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers…”
2024-05-28 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · 155,000 mi“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 notif…”
2024-01-30 · Unknown Or Other“#07-06-04-019f: intermittent malfunction indicator lamp (mil} illuminated, otc pl':1.~j with reduced engine power (repair instrument panel (ip) to body harness connector). lost power on i-84 and had to cross over the right lane because i had no power, barely missing a rear end collision. …”
2023-07-18 · Service Brakes“i was driving down the highway and when i went to apply my brakes the pedal completely broke off. it was just dangling on the floorboard. i had no brakes. i was forced to put my car in neutral to slow myself down and apply my parking break in order to stop. the road was very busy and i was going 60mph. i could have died. luckily i was able to make …”
2023-03-20 · Steering“car lost all steering while driving down the road …”
2023-02-18 · Visibility/Wiper“when driving in rain and high humidity, the windshield and front windows will often completely fog up with moisture on the inside of the car. it can make seeing outside while driving impossible and risks an accident. in three years we have found no settings on the climate control system that will avoid this problem. we have had the heater core repl…”
2023-02-09 · Electrical System:adas:hill Start Assist:clutch Solenoid · 72,000 mi“the contact owns a 2011 buick lacrosse. the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it started on its own and would shut down on its own. the contact heard a roaring noise coming from the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed. the dealer was not contacted. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 72,000.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.