Home · 2011 Buick Lacrosse · Complaints

What 169 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Buick Lacrosse

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (169)Crash / fire / injury (18)Electrical system (32)Engine (30)Suspension (27)Visibility & wipers (23)Transmission & drivetrain (19)Brakes (18)Steering (12)Airbags (11)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (9)Seats (9)

30 of 169 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Apr 14, 2026Electrical systemEngine

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 documented and investigated.

NHTSA ODI 11731073

Sep 21, 2022Engine

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the engine misfired while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was a defective valve in the engine which caused the misfire. The contact was informed that the failure was related to a manufacturer defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11485696

Feb 2, 2022SuspensionEngineFuel systemCrash

Car been smelling like gas for awhile engine light pop on and off. My car will not start I have replace the fuel pump car still won’t get gas . Replaced battery numerous of times battery keep won’t stay charge . I have a recall on my car I believe the suspension is under recall as well. I also had to replace my windshield wiper motor a few times slapped against my windshield and cracked windshield.

NHTSA ODI 11449845

Jul 12, 2021Speed controlEngine

I noticed today as I was stopped at a red light with my foot on brake the vehicle was kinda jumping like it was trying to go while foot was on brake. I drove a little further and the service stabilitrak light came on followed by the reduced engine power. The car proceeded to die in the middle of a busy street. After a few minutes it did restart and I was able to get it home. This seems to be a common problem with 2011 buick lacrosse. Ihave seen several complaints about this same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11424471

Mar 6, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KYLE EDWARDS BUICK GMC LOCATED AT (1600 N MAIN ST, MUSKOGEE, OK 74401) AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CEASED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11316598

Jan 8, 2020Engine

OUR FAMILY'S 2011 BUICK LACROSSE ONLY HAS 57K MILES ON IT, AND THE ENGINE ALREADY HAS PERMANENT IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE FROM A MANUFACTURER OVERSIGHT IN WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN "SKIPS TIME." WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR UNPREDICTABLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. I QUICKLY MUSCLED THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, BUT THIS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR OUR FAMILY AS WE WERE FORCED TO CROSS TRAFFIC, AT SPEED, TO REACH THE ROAD SHOULDER. A DAY PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO "REDUCED POWER" MODE WHILE TRAVELING UPHILL, CUTTING SPEED FROM 55MPH TO 35MPH, BACKING UP TRAFFIC. CARS WERE PASSING AND HONKING IN A DOUBLE YELLOW-LINED STRETCH OF ROAD. WE SUBSEQUENTLY SHOULDERED THE CAR, SHUT OFF ITS POWER AND IT SEEMED TO BE OPERATING PROPERLY UNTIL OUR DESTINATION, BUT WE ONLY HAD 3 MILES LEFT TO TRAVEL. THE TIMING GEAR IS PRESSED-ON INSTEAD OF KEYED-ON. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN TO "SKIP TIME," DAMAGING THE ENGINE AND CAUSING ERRATIC ENGINE BEHAVIOR. OUR MECHANIC HAS SEEN OUR EXACT ENGINE ISSUE WITH THE 3.6L 6-CYL ENGINES IN VARIOUS OTHER GM VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE ENGINE REBUILD COMPANIES TO KEY-ON THE TIMING GEAR, INSTEAD OF GM'S TYPICAL PRESS-ON PROCESS. OUR MECHANIC ADVISES THAT KEYING-ON THE TIMING GEAR IS KNOWN TO FIX THE ORIGINAL ISSUE OF THE TIMING CHAIN DANGEROUSLY "SKIPPING TIME." ONE SUCH COMPANY, RECOMMENDED BY OUR MECHANIC, IS JASPERENGINES.COM. I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA CAN INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND HOLD GM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DANGEROUS OVERSIGHT FOR WHICH GM FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR ADDRESS. MY COMPLAINT IS ON RECORD AT GM'S CORP SERVICE CENTER WITH PHONE NUMBER 866-790-5600 - TICKET #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11297962

Dec 11, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THE CAR WAS JUST PURCHASED ON 112619 AND THE DAY I BOUGHT I GOT WARNING LIGHT ON DASH NEXT DAY CAR IS IN REDUCED POWER MODE, TOOK BACK TO CARMAX TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED THEY CLEANED TPS ADV IT WAS DIRTY POOR CONTACT. TWO DAYS LATER THE LIGHT IS BACK ON THIS TIME THE CAR IS SENT TO BUICK DEALERSHIP IN GILBERT THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND I WAS TOLD ISSUE IS FIXED 24 HOURS LATER CAR IS BACK IN REDUCED POWER MODE

NHTSA ODI 11288482

Mar 20, 2019Engine

TAKATA RECALL MY BUICK LACROSSE ONE TIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD OUT OF THE BLUE IT DONE ENGINE POWER REDUCTION,AND THEN IT JUST DIED ON ME.AFTER THAT I DID GET IT TO START BUT IT RAN RUFF AND AFTER A FEW WEEKS IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11190153

Feb 10, 2019Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

MY CAR STATED THAT MY TRAKSTABILTY SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED THEN REDUCED ENGINE POWER LITE UP. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AND WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED OVER TWENTY MILES PER HOUR. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN MY CAR OFF LEAVE IT PARKED UNTIL I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER 2011 LACROSSES AND THEIR IS A SPECIAL SERVICE BULLETIN WITH FREE REPAIR BUT FOR SOME REASON NOT IN MINE. I HAD TO PAY 500 DOLLAR TO REPLACE THIS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 74000 MILES ON IT AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IF I WASN'T IN A PLACE WHERE I COULD TURN MY VEHICLE OFF SAFELY.

NHTSA ODI 11176117

Jan 22, 2019Engine

I WAS GOING 50 MILES AN HOUR DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION AND STABILITRAK CAME ON AND THEN STATED REDUCED ENGINE POWER. AT WHICH TIME I LOST ALL POWER TO GET THROUGH INTERSECTION. ALMOST GOT HIT BY 3 DIRECTIONS TRYING TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE ROAD. I FINALLY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON DROVE FOR ANOTHER MILE BEFORE IT DID IT AGAIN. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. I AM NOW STUCK AT WORK I DO NOT DARE TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI 11171317

Jan 7, 2019EngineVisibility & wipers

ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ALLOWS WINDSHIELD TO BECOME FOGGED OVER AND I CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE OR CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM. I CANNOT CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING AND VENTILATION. EXAMPLE: THE SYSTEM SEEMS TO BLOW OR ALLOW WARM AIR IN CABIN WHEN THE A/C IS ON SET AT 68-72 DEGREES. THIS IS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AND AT IDLE ON ANY ROAD I TRAVEL. I REPORTED PROBLEM TO RICE BUICK-GMC, INC. 8330 KINGSTON PIKE KNOXVILLE, TN 37919-5449 (865) 693-0610 ON 9/16/2014, 9/25/2014 AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED & GETTING WORSE TO DATE 01/07/2019. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL. SAFETY RECALL IS LISTED FOR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE ON MARCH 4, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 SOFTWARE IN ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL AFFECTS DEFROST SYSTEM REDUCING DRIVERS VISIBILITY AND COULD RESULT IN CRASH. UNABLE TO CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM. SECOND PROBLEM IS ENGINE/ EMISSIONS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SENSOR ERRORS. ALL HAVE CAUSED CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON.

NHTSA ODI 11164871

Dec 31, 2018SteeringBrakesEngine

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND INTITATING A TRN ON A CITY STREET, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE JUMPED AND A ROD KNOCK SOUND OCCURRED. THE ENGINE LATER SIEZED UP PERMANENTLY AT THE SERVICE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND OIL LEVELS WERE WITHIN NORMAL OPERATING RANGE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF ENGINE TROUBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11164259

May 26, 2018EngineFuel system

TWICE AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, MY CAR WAS OILS NOT START AT THE PUMP. EACH TIME I HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD ACTUALLY START. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAITED, IT STARTED THEN IMMEDIATELY QUIT AGAIN. THERE IS A VERY HARD START WHEN IT ATTEMPTS TO START AS WELL. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAD TO REMAIN RUNNING UNTIL THEY COULD GET IT IN. THIS WAS 540P ON FRIDAY, MAY 25TH BEFORE A HOLIDAY.

NHTSA ODI 11098066

May 1, 2018Engine

POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE IT HAS EXCESS PLAY IN THE CANSHAFT.

NHTSA ODI 11091162

Feb 5, 2018Electrical systemBrakesEngine

WHILE DRIVING UPHILL IN THE WINTER, WENT TO TURN INTO NEIGHBORHOOD AT TOP OF HILL, JUST AS TURNING THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE DIED. EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING. ENGINE SHUT OFF, BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, LIGHTS WENT OFF, THEN WOULDN'T START. THEN THE VEHICLE INSTRUCTED TO ROLL DRIVER WINDOW DOWN THEN UP, ROLL RIGHT WINDOW DOWN THEN UP. ALMOST LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO REBOOT. BUT THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. AFTER TRYING A THIRD TIME TO START, IT STARTED. ALL INFORMATION WAS GONE, NO MILEAGE, OIL LIFE GONE, TRIPOMETER GONE. DROVE VEHICLE HOME, JUST A BLOCK AWAY AND BEEN TOO SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11066972

Jan 11, 2018Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, PISTON AND PISTON RINGS. BURNING 3-4 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 2000 OR LESS MILES. AFTER CHECKING I FIND OUT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MAKE AT A SPECIFIC PLANT. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 95,550 MILES. I THOUGHT BUICKS WERE GOOD CARS AND STOOD BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS QUIET EXPENSIVE, CAN YOU HELP? THE OIL LIGHT DOESN'T EVEN COME ON WHEN IT GOT THAT LOW. IT STARTED ACTING FUNNY AND WHEN CHECKED, LOW OIL, NO . I HAVE KEPT MY VEHICLE VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AROUND 10/16/17 AND AFTER LOOKED AT AGAIN 1/8/18 DRIPS OR LEAKS

NHTSA ODI 11062143

Jan 6, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH, DROPPED SUDDENLY TO 30 MPH. HAD TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER FROM PASSING LANE, ALMOST REAR ENDED BY TRACTOR TRAILER DUE TO SUDDEN POWER LOSS, COULD NOT ACCELERATE. STABILITRAK LIGHT TURNED ON STATING ENGINE POWER REDUCED. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, WENT AWAY. CAME BACK ON AGAIN 3 X'S WHILE DRIVING BACK HOME ON HIGHWAY, HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY PULL OVER AND RESTART ENGINE TO CLEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11060889

Jan 6, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, SUDDEN WARNING STABILITRAK NEEDS SERVICE, ENGINE POWER REDUCED. SPEED DROPPED TO 30 MPH ON HIGHWAY FROM 70MPH TRAFFIC FLOW. COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL TO KEEP UP W/TRAFFIC, HAD TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER TO AVOID GETTING REAR ENDED. COULD NOT ACCELERATE ENOUGH SPEED TO MERGE BACK ONTO HIGHWAY LIGHT TURNED OFF. DANGEROUS!!!

NHTSA ODI 11060886

Sep 19, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT IT STALLED AGAIN AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST CAM SOLENOID FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,800.

NHTSA ODI 11024203

Aug 21, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL UNDER THE VIN AND WOULD GET BACK TO HER THE NEXT DAY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11016518

Aug 4, 2017Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S WIRES WERE MADE WITH A SOY CHEMICAL THAT ATTRACTED RODENTS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED TWICE. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT THE AREA OF THE ENGINE WIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED AROUND THE BATTERY WIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GEORGE MATICK CHEVROLET (TELEGRAPH ROAD, REDFORD CHARTER, MI,48239 PHONE: (313) 531-7100) AND TAYLOR CHEVROLET (3801 TELEGRAPH ROAD, TAYLOR, MI 48180 PHONE: (734) 250-6220) FOR THE REPAIRS. THE ENGINE AND BATTERY WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11012775

Jun 24, 2017Engine

ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE BEGINNING TO EXIT FROM AN EIGHT LANE HIGHWAY (680). COULDN'T RESTART. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED MY BATTERY FOR $361.77, IN ORDER TO START THE CAR AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED THE NEXT DAY TO INFORM ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE...FOR $9000.00!!! ON A CAR THAT WAS WELL MAINTAINED, WITH 60,000 MILES???? TOWED THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE A FAULTY SEAL CAUSED A ROD TO BREAK, AND THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE DAMAGE. HAD A NEW ENGINE INSTALLED FOR ABOUT $6000.00. I BELIEVE THAT GM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAULTY SEAL, AND THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND LIFE WHICH WOULD CAUSE A VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING...CAUSING THE BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING TO STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11000988

Dec 14, 2016Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

MY VEHICLE A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE CXL 2.4L ENGINE RPO LAF. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE MAKING NOISE DUE TO BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN SPECIAL COVERAGE RECALL 12313 WHERE BACK THEN THEY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THE BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN, TENSIONER, AND ALSO THE ENGINE MOUNT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, THEN TO SAY THIS BULLETIN HAS BEEN REVISED TO REMOVE SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT FOR THE FUEL PUMP THAT IS NOW INCLUDED IN VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL 43180. UPDATES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE PART INFORMATION, SERVICE PROCEDURE, AND WARRANTY TRANSACTION INFORMATION SECTIONS. PLEASE DISCARD ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 12313B. CAME THE REVISED 12313B AND NOW AS OF SEPTEMBER 2016 REVISED AGAIN TO 12313C. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 43180 IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WITH THE SAME ENGINE RPO LAF. I'VE CALLED GM VARIOUS TIMES AND SPOKE EVEN TO THE GM DEALER, MY CAR WAS EVEN AT THE DEALER SITTING THERE FOR WEEKS TO ONLY SAY IT'S NOT COVERED THAT I HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO GET RECALLED. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS, THE OIL SMELLS LIKE GAS, AND I CAN'T SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, IT STAYS RUNNING AND THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT IT OFF IS PUTTING IT ON DRIVE THEN SHUTTING IT OFF. ALL THIS DUE TO ON SOME 2010-2011 MODEL YEAR BUICK LACROSSE, CHEVROLET EQUINOX, AND GMC TERRAIN; AND 2011 MODEL YEAR BUICK REGAL VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L ENGINE (LAF), THE CHROME LAYER ON THE BALANCE CHAIN PINS MAY WEAR, ALLOWING THE CHAIN TO STRETCH. THIS WOULD CAUSE AN ENGINE NOISE, AND IF LEFT UNTREATED, COULD CAUSE THE CHAIN TO BREAK, LEADING TO ENGINE DAMAGE. THIS IS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO NOT RUN RIGHT AND A HARD TIME TO ACCELERATE GM CASE # 8-2573359821

NHTSA ODI 10935214

Nov 1, 2016Engine

2011 BUICK LACROSSE (60,000 MILES - PROPERLY MAINTAINED BY 73 YEAR OLD MAN) BROKE DOWN ON INTERSTATE HWY. WHILE VACATIONING IN KNOXVILLE, TN - BUICK BEGINS TO STALL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (WAS FLICKERING AND NO ACCELERATION). WE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AT A GAS STATION AND CALLED AAA - WHO TOWED US TO A CERTIFIED AAA REPAIR/TOW COMPANY. WE INITIALLY SUSPECTED IT WOULD BE THE FUEL PUMP OR FILTER . MECHANIC IN KNOXVILLE WHO IS A ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR 40 YEARS SAID IT WASN'T THE FUEL PUMP SO HE PUT HIS DIAGNOSTIC TESTER AND DETERMINED THERE WERE MORE PROBLEMS AND STARTED TO TAKE APART THE ENGINE....AND FOUND THE MAIN VALVES WERE BROKEN AND FELL INTO THE PISTONS. ENGINE FAILURE AND HE SAID IN HIS 40 YEARS THIS HAD HAPPENED ONLY 3 TIMES BUT NOT ON A 2011 CAR WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. HE SAID IF WE WOULD HAVE CONTINUED DRIVING, THE WHOLE ENGINE WOULD HAVE BLOWN UP. CALLED THE LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT NO RECALL, NOR DID WE HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY (A BIG MISTAKE - AND WE LOVED THE LACROSSE THINKING IT WOULD LAST A LONG TIME). LOOKED UP BLUE BOOK VALUE - WORTH $11,000 (WITH RUNNING ENGINE) AND A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE APPROX. $8,000 AND WOULD TAKE A WEEK TO REPLACE. SOLD THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC IN KNOXVILLE, TN) AND PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA AVALON IN KNOXVILLE. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED IN G.M. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10920427

Mar 10, 2016Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE LOSING POWER WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE START TO LOSE POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI 10845974

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Working with the data? Download all 169 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 27, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Buick Lacrosse verdict →