CSR

Buick · NHTSA safety record

2011 Buick Lacrosse

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

169

Complaints

15

Crashes

1

Fires

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 Buick Lacrosse have filed 169 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2010 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 32 of them (19%). The typical failure was reported at 51,542 miles, the median across the 125 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

SUSPENSION:REAR

20V764000 · December 21, 2020

The 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 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.
The risk
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 220,006 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

14V447000 · July 23, 2014

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 414,333 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

11V149000 · March 4, 2011

The 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, AND VENTILATION FOR THE VEHICLE.
The 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.
The 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.

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · up to 10,179 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 169.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32 19%
ENGINE 30 18%
SUSPENSION 27 16%
POWER TRAIN 19 11%
SERVICE BRAKES 17 10%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 14 8%
STEERING 12 7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12 7%
AIR BAGS 11 7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 9 5%
SEATS 9 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9 5%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 21.

2010 2021 2026
2010 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · 15,449 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE TWO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED AND ONE OF THE DRIVER'S SUFFERED FROM AN UNKNOWN INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER AND REPAIRED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THERE WAS ALSO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,449.

NHTSA complaint 10550359. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · 85,538 miles

WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ACCIDENT OF ANY SORT. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT! GM DOES NOT WANT TO BE LIABLE. IM A SINGLE MOM. IM $2000 AWAY FROM PAYING THE CAR OFF, TO BE CAR NOTE FREE AS I HAVE A DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE. I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED REGULARLY . THEIR DATA IS INCORRECT.

NHTSA complaint 11286688. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE, AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK MERGED OVER AND SMASHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE INTO THE METAL GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY, BACK PAINS, AND LEG PAINS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS TO REACH OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT

NHTSA complaint 10984669, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

1 injured · crash · towed · 173,671 miles

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 45 MPH with her 10-month-old child in a rear-facing car seat located in the rear driver seat, the rear driver's side toe link detached and she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle drove off the road and crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact's daughter was able to exit the vehicle on her own. The contact's daughter sustained a forehead ache but did not seek medical assistance. The contact's grandchild did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact became aware of

NHTSA complaint 11451053, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

231,952 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11750433. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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 $1600. However, on April 9, 2026, the vehicle shut off again while driving. This issue has occurred multiple times and persists despite repair attempts. When the vehicle shuts off, it creates a loss of power and poses a significant safety risk in traffic. I am concerned that this may be a broader safety issue and am requesting that this defect be

NHTSA complaint 11731073, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY

180,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11695748, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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 dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car

NHTSA complaint 11685571. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

155,000 miles

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 complaint 11591050. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
#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.

NHTSA complaint 11568681. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Buick Lacrosse

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2018 12 3
2017 34 2
2016 46 2
2015 44 3
2014 63 5
2013 128 4 1
2012 205 4
2010 189 1

Other 2011 Buick models

Every Buick on this site — 60 vehicles, 172 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst