10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,604 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #22

Jan 182024

LaCrosse

  • miles
The stabilitrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the safety standard. The stabilitrak system falsely activates resulting in sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds, which may cause the driver difficulty in maintaining the vehicle's desired path of travel and desired vehicle speed, and could result in a crash without warning.

- Manhattan , KS, USA

problem #21

Apr 252023

LaCrosse

  • miles
We're purchasing this vehicle from superior Auto, and we seen a recall back in 2011/12 from stabiltrak and deterrent auto theft, since this $21, 240 car we've had issues causing the car to shut off and lock up without warning, no power steering or brakes, and stabiltrak and auto deterrent theft warning pop up, and had it to 2 mechanics that are baffled and it produces no codes, I've almost gotten in 3 accidents causing this, and now I'm too scared to drive this car, the recall had same issues for improperly calibrated ESC defective sensors not showing codes, nobody will fix the issue without codes and I don't need to hurt or kill anyone. Superior Auto is not caring about taking this car back or trading it in, please help me figure this out, there was no accidents, but this car is unsafe for the road

- Coldwater, MI, USA

problem #20

Jul 012022

LaCrosse

  • miles
Stability control light keeps coming on the car shut downs in the middle of the road or it won-??t start I called Buick they say there is no recall but it shows on the NHTSA site 2012 Buick has a improperly calibrated faulty electric stabilitrack ESC campaign ID Number 11v404000 so I don-??t under stand why my car can-??t be fixed this very dangerous for me an my kids it they won-??t even look at my car

- Sanford , FL, USA

problem #19

May 112022

LaCrosse

  • miles
While driving stability trac, check engine light flashed and rpm, and speed gauges start going haywire. The car loses power even while accelerating, the steering wheel locks and car stalls. Then after 15-30 minutes the car starts fine and drives. Has happened at least 8 times. Took it to Buick dealer who ran diagnostic but unable to recreate codes but acknowledged a problem. Supposedly fixed it only to return the car a few days later. This is quite scary and dangerous as it happens without warning and while driving. Thankfully I wasn't on the expressway when it happened because all steering, power and brake function is lost.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #18

Feb 172020

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • miles
Hello I have a 2012 Buick lacrosse, when I first bought the vehicle I notice that the service stability track light would come on and immediately after would follow that my motors speed had been reduced. After learning all of this about the vehicle I searched if there was any recalls concerning this matter and in fact found that 2012 Buick lacrosse did have a recall for the service stability track but when I made the call for my vehicle I was told that my car wasn't part of that recall. I'm now dealing with this problem and to the best of my knowledge and research, I found out as well that if the service stability track was to start acting up it could cause my vehicle to come to a stop and could very much so cause a horrific accident. So I'm asking if you could please take it in consideration to make it to where all of the 2012 Buick lacrosse 3.6L should have the recall for the service stability track. Thank you for your time and hope that you make the better judgement call to bring this to light and make it to where all 2012 Buick lacrosse owners are able to get this situation fixed or brought to there attention before a problem or accident. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #17

Apr 062021

LaCrosse

  • 100,000 miles
I was driving my car to my house an my car started acting funny. While driving randomly 2 lights came on saying service brake assist and service stabili track. It became extremely hard to steer, the automatic brakes stopped working and it cut off on the highway. I put it in neutral and got to the side of the road. When I cut it back on it had the following warning lights; service brake assist, service stabili track. I almost died and my girl had to pay for a tow truck for me to get home and I was right up the street. I feel like it dangerous and when I told GMC they said its nothing they could do. It is several recalls with vehicles just like mine that are the same year with the same problems but they said they would not help me. My car is not drivable and I can not afford to get all the things fixed that were recalls. I am immobile and it is causing harm to me financially. I trusted GMC and I feel like they should do right by consumers.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #16

Mar 102021

LaCrosse

  • 122,000 miles
While going around curves the engine lost power several time. Check engine light came on, power steering failed, power brakes failed and engine restarted on its own after a few seconds.

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #15

Jul 222020

LaCrosse

  • 235,000 miles
I was driving my car down a interstate highway when all of a sudden the stability track can on my dash and the car freaked out and breaked really hard ! I stated to spin out and then a loud crack the lower control arm broke on the rear right side. We almost really lost our lives! this is the 12 time this has happen and the mechanics tell me nothing is wrong they can see!! I'm taking it to Buick to see what they say this should be recalled asap! somebody will get severely hurt soon omg

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #14

Feb 132019

LaCrosse

  • 130,031 miles
While driving in traffic on city street during rush hour traffic my vehicle completed shut down no warning, engine light popped on, the wheel became stiff the brakes became stiff. I put it in park, turned the ignition offend started it up again, it started right up and I continued driving for another 4 miles engine light remained on. Pulled into parking shut if off and started it back up but engine light remained on, drove 4 miles home, as turning onto street shut off again wheel locked, brakes stiff, repeat first steps, drove 50 ft, shut off, drove another 50 ft shut off, but then didn't start back up right away. Wait a minute started up but was hesitating. Never had this happen, 130K miles on it.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #13

Aug 142018

LaCrosse

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to unknown dealer in 2014 to be serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 13V173000 (electrical system); however; the repair did not prevent the failure. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle stalled and all lights on the instrumental panel flickered and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact also advised that the steering wheel lost power steering ability while driving. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #12

Aug 022018

LaCrosse

  • 50,000 miles
The engine light had come on and I went to a repair shop to have it repaired. I was told to bring it back the next day and on my way back the charging light came on. I was on the highway doing 70 miles an hour in a curve when all systems went down the instrument panel lit up and I lost braking, steering and all other functions. And I was very lucky to not have wrecked the car. This is a very dangerous situation that needs to be corrected.

- Bunn, NC, USA

problem #11

Apr 112018

LaCrosse

  • 70,000 miles
The issue I'm reporting has already happened approximately 8 times. First time I'm driving on the highway at 65 mph, and engine on car completely shuts down, driving wheel locks or power steering gets lost and brake pedal stops working gets very stiff and all this happened on a state highway. All that can be done is let the car come to a complete stop in its own all while using all my force to try my best to steer car away from traffic, because it locks and that time I could barely make it turn slightly due to the stiffness. After that, the car's engine wont start but lights and radio work. After constantly turning it in and off engine finally starts up after approximately an hour, but when placed on drive only moves very slow even when stepping on gas it will move at about 1 mph. I turn it off and on several time and then when I finally step on the gas it jerks me forward finally when on drive....

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #10

Dec 162017

LaCrosse

  • 29,975 miles
Car stalled out twice, lost power steering. I was backing out of a parking lot space; restarted and then stalled while pulling onto street. Fear is it stalling in traffic and getting rear-ended. I took to garner Buick where had purchased new. When car was relatively new and still on warranty had had similar issue, but dealer never found problem. Now occurs again. They found two sensors that failed but ok now so told me to drive over weekend and see what happens. I see this as a big safety problem and an accident waiting to happen. Buick should be responsible if this happens, but in the meantime I am the one injured.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #9

Jun 212016

LaCrosse

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 60 mph and attempting to make a turn, the steering lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (coachella valley Buick/GMC, indu, California) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle operated as programmed by the manufacturer. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

problem #8

Apr 202017

LaCrosse

  • 51,000 miles
All power features shut down while driving on street. Loss partial control of steering, braking power was reduced significantly and engine shut off completely.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #7

Feb 042017

LaCrosse

  • 71,000 miles
The car started stalling and it smell like something was burning. The car would shut off and restart on its own. I replaced the engine out of my pockets and now I am having the exact same problems. First before replacing the engine the serpentine belt broke and I had the repaired, about six month later a bolt broke inside the engine and that is when I replaced the engine. I just got the car back three weeks ago and now it is doing the same thing.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #6

Aug 012013

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 11,000 miles
Shortly after purchasing this vehicle I found that while rounding a corner the power dies and I lost control of the vehicle since I had not power steering or brakes. I was able to steer the car to the berm and waited until power was restored. This has occurred many times. Upon checking with the dealer I was told Buick is aware of the problem, but there is no recall. Then I began having alot of problems with the stabilitrak - the car loses power and surges. Again the dealer told me they are aware of the issues with the Lacrosse, but there was no recall and the cost of repairs was over $2000.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #5

Sep 252014

LaCrosse 4-cyl

  • 42,430 miles
Vehicle was excessively rough in transition between hybrid and engine power and would jerk as if someone had placed the vehicle into park while moving. Vehicle lost electrical power to ac, radio and other accessories. Vehicle shutoff and had to be stopped and placed into park before it would restart. Vehicle lost power steering and the steering would stay locked in position until the vehicle rolled about 10-15 feet or until the vehicle transitioned to engine power. These condition repeated multiple times in a two day span, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for service. The dealer replaced a solenoid and an engine mount stating they had excessive wear. The vehicle now stays running, but I continue to have issues with the rough transition between modes. My concern is that this is the root cause of the excessive wear on the other parts and that the vehicle shutdown and steering loss will occur again. If it does, the damage to property, injury, or loss of life could easily occur given the lack of drivability and loss of control of the vehicle when the condition occurs.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 082014

LaCrosse

  • miles
2012 Buick Lacrosse with less than 45K, the car has not started for 3 days and car will finally start after the key is left in the ignition for about a minute then the interior lights and screen come on (appearing as though the car was just charged) the car has had limited steering control the "power steering service soon" light appears a long with another warning light that says '' roll drivers window up, then down" the windows will not roll down neither do the locks work in the car.I was driving down the road and had to pull off to the side while all this was taking place. I have contacted GM for 2 days now, a GM rep named "rupert" took the initial call and said " don't worry, it's all covered GM will take care of it" ( these calls are recorded.) I made it to a friends house enough to get GM to call roadside assistance and take my car to the dealer, [xxx] said that it would be best to take my car to the dealer I bought it from. 22 miles away. 8:30 am was when the call was initiated and a call from GM roadside assist was made to me at 9:30am with a 2H eta. The first tow truck broke down and I had to call roadside assistance back once the first tow truck did not show up 30 min past the given eta. Finally the second tow truck arrives at 1310 and takes my car to the dealership. I call the dealership to discuss the rental car promised by GM, the dealership says that GM only covers a rental for 3 days, but it will be at the minimum 7 days before my car is even looked at, so I have to pay out of pocket for a rental car for 4 days until my car is even looked at, that's not including the time to fix the problem if it can be fixed right away. After speaking to 6 tier 2 reps specialist and managers I have no answers with a broken car, a rental that is half the size as my Lacrosse and I still have to pay for the rental. Lucky I did not die driving! this needs to be addressed!

- Huntingtown, MD, USA

problem #3

Apr 232014

LaCrosse 4-cyl

  • 55,121 miles
On April 23, 2014, my wife and I were running errands in our hometown in our 2012 Buick Lacrosse with easiest. I noticed the car wasn't going into auto-stop and the steering became "tight". when we got home, I started to drive the car to the in-town dealership where we bought the car. When I backed the car to the bottom of the driveway, I could not turn the steering wheel. I put the car back up into the driveway and called a tow truck to deliver the car for service. The diagnosis was that the camshaft intake position sensor had failed. This apparently interacted with the electric power steering in such a way as to disable it. While the circumstances of this failure were not serious, it could have been a different story had we been on the highway traveling at 70+ mph.

- St Charles, IL, USA

Read the next 2 complaints »