Buick Lacrosse 2010–2016
2nd generation · GM Epsilon II (long wheelbase)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,233 complaints, 864 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 18,199 and 88,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 9 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,650
- 25%
- 18,199
- Median
- 54,456
- 75%
- 88,000
- 90%
- 120,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 155 | 17.9% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 66 | 7.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 56 | 6.5% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 44 | 5.1% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 73 | 8.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 66 | 7.6% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 65 | 7.5% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 73 | 8.4% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 63 | 7.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 41 | 4.7% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 41 | 4.7% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 31 | 3.6% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 26 | 3.0% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 20 | 2.3% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 16 | 1.9% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 6 | 0.7% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 9 | 1.0% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,233 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2016 Buick Lacrosse, and 864 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 18,199 and 88,000 miles. The median is 54,456 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (17.6% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles), the engine (12.8% of complaints, typically around 63,000 miles), the steering (9.2% of complaints, typically around 51,000 miles).
14 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Electrical system60,000median 60,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 90,000
- Engine63,000median 63,000 miles, middle half 38,000 to 85,000
- Steering51,000median 51,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 80,000
- Suspension67,000median 66,938 miles, middle half 11,000 to 146,000
- Transmission and driveline41,000median 41,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 83,000
- Problems owners could not categorise62,000median 62,500 miles, middle half 12,000 to 100,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)73,000median 72,667 miles, middle half 53,000 to 108,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 217 | 17.6% | 60,000 | 21,000–90,000 |
| Engine | 158 | 12.8% | 63,000 | 38,000–85,000 |
| Steering | 114 | 9.2% | 51,000 | 25,000–80,000 |
| Suspension | 102 | 8.3% | 67,000 | 11,000–146,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 84 | 6.8% | 41,000 | 12,000–83,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 69 | 5.6% | 62,000 | 12,000–100,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 68 | 5.5% | 73,000 | 53,000–108,000 |
| Brakes | 66 | 5.4% | 50,000 | 33,000–80,000 |
| Airbag system | 56 | 4.5% | 44,000 | 15,000–78,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 51 | 4.1% | 48,000 | 15,000–88,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 54,456 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 17.6% of complaints (217 reports, 151 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,327 and 90,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 12.8% of complaints (158 reports, 133 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,414 and 85,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 9.2% of complaints (114 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 79,535 miles.
The suspension accounts for 8.3% of complaints (102 reports, 35 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,938 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 146,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.8% of complaints (84 reports, 67 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 41,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 83,177 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 5.6% of complaints (69 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 100,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 308 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 54. The median year sits at 199.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 14 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the suspension (3), the electrical system (3), the seat belts (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,233 complaints filed against this generation, 79 reported a crash; 26 reported a fire; 57 reported an injury; 1 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 6.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 18,199 and 88,000 miles, with a median of 54,456. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 60,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine - Timing Chain 2010–2011 (3.6L LLT)
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 eAssist)
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)
eAssist 115V lithium-ion battery pack and power-inverter module failures, and accessory-belt-driven motor/generator faults, disabling stop-start and electric assist.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 278 | 209 |
| 2011 | 244 | 185 |
| 2012 | 308 | 216 |
| 2013 | 199 | 122 |
| 2014 | 90 | 68 |
| 2015 | 54 | 33 |
| 2016 | 60 | 31 |
Recalls (14)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V00F000 | 2022-01-27 | Suspension:rear |
| 21V633000 | 2022-01-03 | Suspension:rear |
| 20V764000 | 2021-08-19 | Suspension:rear |
| 17V437000 | 2017-08-04 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 16V651000 | 2016-10-13 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 15V666000 | 2015-10-19 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 14V447000 | 2014-12-26 | Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust |
| 14V317000 | 2014-08-01 | Electrical System |
| 14V240000 | 2014-06-23 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc |
| 14V092000 | 2014-04-10 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 13V173000 | 2013-06-11 | Electrical System |
| 13V097000 | 2013-04-03 | Electrical System:software |
| 11V404000 | 2011-08-12 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) |
| 11V149000 | 2011-03-11 | Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element |
What owners reported
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Buick Lacrosse. While driving, the contact stated that the speedometer and fuel gauge would fluctuate and she was unable to determine how fast or slow she was traveling or how much gasoline was actually in the vehicle. She also noticed that the service stability track and service rear…
2010 · 1,000 miles · Electrical system
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the head rest on the front passenger seat was too big and when he looked to his right it would block his vision. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor was it repaired. The dealer was aware of the failure and advised him that they could not…
2010 · 1,000 miles · Seats
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH the service suspension soon light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were not able to diagnose the failure because the light was no longer illuminating. The speed sensors…
2010 · 1,500 miles · Suspension
Tl*the contact owns 2010 Buick Lacrosse. When the contact drove in reverse he noticed that the back up sensor indicator was a defective. The reverse sensor indicator should recognize any object 10 inches high, 12 feet or 21 inches high. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that they couldn't adjust the…
2010 · 2,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 864 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page