Buick Lacrosse 2010–2016 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation · GM Epsilon II (long wheelbase)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026848 complaints, 582 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2010 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 189
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2010
- Electrical system46 reports · median 63,000 mi
- Engine44 reports · median 67,000 mi
- Electronic stability control (esc)23 reports
Recall areas Suspension — rear
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 52,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 169
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2011
- Electrical system32 reports
- Engine30 reports
- Suspension27 reports
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Seats — front assembly · Visibility — defroster/defogger/hvac system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 206
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2012
- Electrical system62 reports · median 66,000 mi
- Engine46 reports · median 53,000 mi
- Suspension31 reports
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Seats — front assembly · Electrical system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 59,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 129
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2013
- Electrical system54 reports · median 63,000 mi
- Engine30 reports
- Suspension27 reports
Recall areas Suspension — rear · Electrical system · Electrical system — software
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- 40,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 63
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2014
- Electrical system14 reports
- Steering12 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise9 reports
Recall areas Seat belts — pretensioner · Electrical system · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 44
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2015
- Steering12 reports
- Electrical system9 reports
- Airbag system7 reports
Recall areas Seat belts — pretensioner · Air bags — side/window
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Buick Lacrosse
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 48
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2016
- Steering12 reports
- Transmission and driveline7 reports
- Airbag system6 reports
Recall areas Seat belts — pretensioner
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2013; earliest: the 2014, and the 2013 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age). 2 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2010–2016 Buick Lacrosse reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 50,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 120,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 582
- Recalls
- 14
Most reported
- Electrical system25.9% of complaints · median 60,000 mi
- Engine18.6% of complaints · median 63,000 mi
- Steering13.3% of complaints · median 51,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine - Timing Chain2010–2011
- Engine - Piston Rings2012–2016
- Hybrid System2012–2016
Owners filed 848 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2016 Buick Lacrosse; the electrical system leads with 25.9% of them, and half of the 582 that record an odometer reading came by 50,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 15,000 to 85,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2010–2016 Buick Lacrosse last?
On the 2010–2016 Buick Lacrosse, half of the 582 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 50,000 miles and 90% by 120,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
29 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 6 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Lacrosse reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Buick Lacrosse 2010–2016 · 582 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 114 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 6 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,000
- 25%
- 15,000
- Median
- 50,000
- 75%
- 85,000
- 90%
- 120,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 114 | 19.6% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 48 | 8.2% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 42 | 7.2% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 31 | 5.3% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 53 | 9.1% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 44 | 7.6% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 43 | 7.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 42 | 7.2% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 39 | 6.7% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 26 | 4.5% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 23 | 4.0% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 18 | 3.1% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 17 | 2.9% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 9 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 4 | 0.7% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 13 | 2.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 4 | 0.7% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 6 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Lacrosse problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Buick Lacrosse 2010–2016
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Transmission and driveline84 reportsmedian 41,000middle half 12,000–83,000
- Steering113 reportsmedian 51,000middle half 25,000–80,000
- Electrical system220 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 23,000–90,000
- Problems owners could not categorise69 reportsmedian 62,000middle half 12,000–100,000
- Engine158 reportsmedian 63,000middle half 38,000–85,000
- Suspension102 reportsmedian 67,000middle half 11,000–146,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)68 reportsmedian 73,000middle half 53,000–108,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 220 | 25.9% | 60,000 | 23,000–90,000 |
| Engine | 158 | 18.6% | 63,000 | 38,000–85,000 |
| Steering | 113 | 13.3% | 51,000 | 25,000–80,000 |
| Suspension | 102 | 12.0% | 67,000 | 11,000–146,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 84 | 9.9% | 41,000 | 12,000–83,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 69 | 8.1% | 62,000 | 12,000–100,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 68 | 8.0% | 73,000 | 53,000–108,000 |
| Brakes | 66 | 7.8% | 50,000 | 33,000–80,000 |
| Airbag system | 57 | 6.7% | 44,000 | 15,000–78,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 51 | 6.0% | 48,000 | 15,000–88,000 |
Known problems with the 2010–2016 Lacrosse
Engine - Timing Chain 2010–2011
3.6L LLT timing chain stretch. Root cause chain: internal oil consumption (early valve cover / PCV design) combined with an oil life monitor that did not account for the consumption, so the engine ran low on oil and starved the chain tensioners. Presents as cold-start rattle plus P0008/P0009/P0011/P0016. GM Special Coverage Adjustment #11340 extended timing chain coverage to 10 years / 120,000 miles. The 2012 switch to the LFX revised the chain hardware and largely resolved it.
Engine - Piston Rings 2012–2016
2.4L LAF Ecotec excessive oil consumption attributed to piston ring and PCV design, which can in turn starve the variable valve timing actuators (P0011/P0014).
Hybrid System 2012–2016
eAssist 115V lithium-ion battery pack and power-inverter module failures, and accessory-belt-driven motor/generator faults, disabling stop-start and electric assist.
Before you buy a 2010–2016 Lacrosse: the 3-minute check
Generated from 582 mileage-tagged complaints, 14 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 14 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine - timing chain on 2010–2011 (3.6L LLT) cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check engine - piston rings on 2012–2016 (2.4L eAssist) cars.
- Check hybrid system on 2012–2016 (eAssist) cars.
- Years differ here: from 44 to 206 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Lacrosse problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi57% below | At 90k mi78% below | At 120k mi90% below | At 150k mi95% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 23,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 38,000–85,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 25,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 11,000–146,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 12,000–83,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 12,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 53,000–108,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Buick Lacrosse 2010–2016 · 582 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 57% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 78% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2010–2016 Buick Lacrosse recalls (14)
NHTSA records 14 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the suspension (3), the electrical system (3), the seat belts (2) (why one area can repeat).
Dec 2021 · 2010–2013 · SuspensionA rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The 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…
What can happen. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free 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…
Aug 2021 · 2013 · SuspensionA rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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…
Dec 2020 · 2010–2013 · SuspensionA rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
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…
What can happen. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free 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…
Jul 2017 · 2014–2016 · Seat BeltsA failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and…
What can happen. A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The…
Sep 2016 · 2014–2016 · Seat BeltsA failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet…
What can happen. A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The…
Oct 2015 · 2015 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Lacrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal…
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300…
Jul 2014 · 2011–2012 · SeatsIf the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers'…
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…
What can happen. 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 free 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…
Jun 2014 · 2014 · Electrical SystemWithout an audible indicator, the driver may not be aware that the driver's door is open while the key is in…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured April 30, 2013, to September 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a wiring splice in the driver's door may corrode and break, resulting in the absence of an…
What can happen. Without an audible indicator, the driver may not be aware that the driver's door is open while the key is in the ignition, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway. If the passenger windows, rear…
The free fix. GM will notify owners and dealers will inspect the driver door window motor harness, and replace the electrical splice, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 2014. Owners may contact…
May 2014 · 2014 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured February 7, 2014, through March 31, 2014, and equipped with 17 inch…
What can happen. If a brake pad detaches from caliper, there may be a sudden reduction in braking, lengthening the distance required to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake rotors, and install the correct rotors with new brake pads, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 20, 2014. Owners may…
Feb 2014 · 2014 · Power TrainIf a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, Lacrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the…
What can happen. If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the…
The free fix. General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may…
May 2013 · 2012–2013 · Electrical SystemIf the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Mar 2013 · 2013 · Electrical SystemIf engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. 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…
Aug 2011 · 2012 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)The improper diagnosing may cause the esc to falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes in vehicle…
The defect. Gm is recalling certain model year 2012 Buick Lacrosse passenger vehicles manufactured from june 9, 2011, through july 2, 2011, for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 126, "Electronic stability control systems…
What can happen. The improper diagnosing may cause the esc to falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds, which may cause the driver difficulty…
The free fix. Gm dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module free of charge. The safety recall began on september 12, 2011. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080.
Mar 2011 · 2011 · VisibilityIf this condition affects the defrost system when it is required, it may decrease the driver's visibility…
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…
What can happen. 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 free 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…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 848 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 53 (6.2%)
- Fires
- 20
- Injury reports
- 33
- Fatality reports
- 1
Lacrosse problems by model year
The 2012 drew the most complaints of this generation, 206, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2015 the fewest, 44. A typical year drew about 129.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 189 | 143 | 55,000 | Electrical system (46) | 2 |
| 2011 | 169 | 125 | 52,000 | Electrical system (32) | 4 |
| 2012 | 206 | 138 | 55,000 | Electrical system (62) | 5 |
| 2013 | 129 | 74 | 59,000† | Electrical system (54) | 5 |
| 2014 | 63 | 50 | 40,000 | Electrical system (14) | 5 |
| 2015 | 44 | 27 | under 30 reports | Steering (12) | 3 |
| 2016 | 48 | 25 | under 30 reports | Steering (12) | 2 |
What Lacrosse owners reported
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Buick Lacrosse on March 3, 2024. The vehicle was purchased from the dealer. The odometer was reported at 118,000 during the sale. The vehicle was recently taken to an independent mechanic for service. The contact was provided with an auto report in which the latest odometer…
2013 · 222,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced starting failures and was taken to Piedmont Tire & Auto, where the battery was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and felt like the vehicle had struck a…
2013 · 76,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that after the vehicle was turned off, residual electrical power activated in the vehicle. The power windows and sunroof remained operational, and the instrument panel remained activated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who diagnosed that the driver's…
2014 · 115,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the roadway and the vehicle failed to restart. A bystander advised the contact to press the alarm button twice to restart the vehicle. The contact followed the…
2012 · 71,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Built from 582 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Lacrosse generations
- Lacrosse 2005–2009 903 reports with mileage, most about the exterior lighting