What 169 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Buick Lacrosse

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 not repaired. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to have the abnormal sound coming from the rear end diagnosed. The contact researched online and related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V149000 (Visibility) and 20V764000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11695748

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 ODI 11591050

When driving in rain and high humidity, the windshield and front windows will often completely fog up with moisture on the inside of the car. It can make seeing outside while driving impossible and risks an accident. In three years we have found no settings on the climate control system that will avoid this problem. We have had the heater core replaced in a futile attempt to remedy the situation. We have been told by Buick that there is no fix or recall.

NHTSA ODI 11507935

Defrost doesn't always work. Can't see too drive when this happens. Thought there was a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11438791

II CANNOT CONTROL THE DEFROSTER OR FAN CONTROL. THE VIN. NO. SAYS THIS WAS ON RECALL . BUT THE BUICK DEALER IN MY AREA SAID IT NO A RECALL ON 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THEY WANT A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM . SOMETIMES THIS WORK AND OTHER WITH NO LUCK. ISOME TIMES HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 20 TO 30 MINUTE BEFORE I CAN THE DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD SO I DRIVE !!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11377872

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHADE BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED ROLL BACK AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIM HUDSON BUICK GMC (4035 KAISER HILL RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29203) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THROTTLE- POSITION SENSOR FAILED AS WELL.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11366419

DRIVER CANNOT SEE ROAD WHICH WINDSHIELD STAYS FOGGED UP WHEN DRIVING AND WILL NOT DEFOG THIS IS A DANGER FOR IT COULD CAUSE IT LED TO CRASHES WINDSHIELD AND BACK WINDOW REMAINS FOGGED UP WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC I WAS JUST MADE AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND NEED THIS TAKEN CARE OF ASAP THANKS

NHTSA ODI 11363324

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION INSIDE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTLE MOTOR CORPORATION (12525 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23602, (757) 886-1700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER 2 OR 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES IN WHICH THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11343834

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11326463

DEFROST SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY, FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROST SYSTEM FAILS TO CLEAR WINDOW, AND VISIBILITY IS AN ISSUE. HVAC SYSTEM DOESN'T COOL PROPERLY, COMPRESSOR COMES ON, HOWEVER TEMPERATURE ONLY LOWERS TO A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. TEMPERATURE COOLS BETTER WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11309877

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE DEFROSTER ON THE HOT SETTING IN ORDER FOR THE WINDOWS TO CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,350.

NHTSA ODI 11241977

WINDOWS WILL NOT DEFOG AC BARELY RUNS TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP TO GET A RECHARGE BUT STILL NOTHING. MY SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR ON DRIVER SIDE. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEOS BUT DON'T KNOW HOW SEND COPY PASTE THE LINK TO YOU...

NHTSA ODI 11220495

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING, AND DEFROSTER FAILED TO FUNCTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11130416

SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD GOING 70MPH ON INTERSTATE. NO CARS AROUND ME NO BIRDS OR OTHER THINGS. ROAD PERFECTLY SMOOTH STRAIGHT DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. NO BAD WEATHER AND ALL WINDOWS RAISED AT THE TIME. SCARED ME TO DEATH. EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL UP UNTIL THE TIME IT EXPLODED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BULLET AT FIRST.

NHTSA ODI 11091005

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD IN COLD TEMPERATURES. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME FROSTED WITH ICE AND DECREASED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 11034304

I HAVE ISSUES WITH MY DEFROST SYSTEM IN MY 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WHICH IS CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES (SAFETY) WHEN I DRIVE. SEVERAL TIMES I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS AND TRY TO GET MY WINDSHIELD TO DEFROST SO I COULD SEE TO DRIVE. I LOOKED UP RECALLS ON CARS.COM AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED IN MARCH 2011 FOR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE MODELS FOR THE ECC MODULE DESCRIBING THE EXACT SYSTEMS MY CAR IS HAVING. I CALLED THE BUICK 1-800 NUMBER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL AND THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN# WAS NOT ON THAT RECALL LIST BUT I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND FOR REPAIRS AT MY EXPENSE. I EXPLAINED TO HER THAT I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IF MY CAR IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS THE RECALL IS STATING WHY WOULD MY CAR NOT BE UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE. SHE STATED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY MANUFACTURED AT A DIFFERENT PLANT AND NOT AT THE PLANT WHICH RECALLS WERE ISSUED. MY QUESTION IS "IF I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL FOR THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE MODELS THAN WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND FIXED?" I BELIEVE THAT BUICK SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND CONTACT A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY CAR DIAGNOSED AND THEN IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THOSE REPAIRS AS WELL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR (USED) IN OCTOBER 2014

NHTSA ODI 11000806

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE HVAC SYSTEM FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE LOCAL DEALER (HIGH PERFORMANCE BUICK GMC, LOCATED AT 1985 CALIFORNIA AVE SW, CAMDEN, ARKANSAS) THAT THE ECC PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ECC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY) THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 07/13/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10991272

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CLIMATE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA ODI 10913595

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. ON THREE OCCASIONS THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS SWITCHED TO HEAT AND HIGH FAN, LOCKING THE DRIVER OUT OF THE CONTROLS AND CAUSING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TO BECOME EXTREMELY HOT AND UNCOMFORTABLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON ONE OCCASION, TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE CAR. THE SYSTEM RETURNED TO NORMAL. ON TWO OF THE THREE OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. ON ONE OCCASION IT HAPPENED IN THE GARAGE. DASH LIGHTS - WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ALL PASSENGER COMPARTMENT LIGHTS WENT OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, AND THEN CAME BACK ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE BATTERY. THEY FOUND NO COMPUTER CODES TO EXPLAIN THE MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ODI 10837107

DEFROSTER,HEAT,A/C,FAN SPEED,RECIRC, HEAT/COOL SEATS FUNCTIONS FAILED (STOPPED WORKING COMPLETLY) WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM ON JANUARY 12, 2016 ON HIGHWAY US 131 TO TRAVERSE CITY, MI. FOUND RECALL INFORMATION NHTSA # 11V149000. BROUGHT TO DEALER. DEALER SAID NOT COVERRED UNDER RECAL DUE TO VIN #, AND OWNER COST OF $400 + TO REPAIR. CONTACTED BUICK CUSTOMER CARE. SPOKE WITH ASIA AND LESLIE ON 1/15/16, WHO SAID GM COULD NOT HELP. I DESCRIBED LANGUAGE OF THE RECALL AS BEING IDENTICAL TO THE SAFETY HAZARD DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA LANGUAGE: "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS" ON THESE VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE MAY DISABLE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SETTINGS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE COOLING AND VENTILATION FOR THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENCE: IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH."

NHTSA ODI 10820408

BLIND SPOT WARNING SYSTEM (BSWS) INOPERATIVE QUE ON VEHICLE MULTI FUNCTION INFORMATION DISPLAY (MFID), LOCATED BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL IN A 3"X4" AREA IS INADEQUATE. THE BSWS ON THIS VEHICLE IS VERY SUSTAINABLE TO ROAD SPRAY DURING RAIN EVENTS THAT RENDERS THIS SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. THE ISSUE IS IN THE WARNING THAT IS DISPLAYED TO THE DRIVER WHEN THIS OCCURS. THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED IS ONLY SHOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 SECS, THEN IS REMOVED WITHOUT ANY DRIVER ACTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . NO ICON IS SHOWN TO REMIND DRIVERS OF ACTIVE MESSAGES. IF THIS MESSAGE IS MISSED, THE DRIVER IS NOT AWARE THAT THIS SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. ALSO, THERE IS NO MESSAGE TELLING THE DRIVER WHEN THIS SYSTEM BECOMES OPERATIONAL AGAIN. TWO POSSIBLE OUTCOMES. 1. THE DRIVER DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THE SYSTEM, LOSING THE BENEFIT OF THIS VALUABLE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY IN THIS VEHICLE MODEL WITH ITS LARGE BLIND SPOTS, OR 2. THE DRIVER BELIEVING IN THE SYSTEM AND TURNS INTO TRAFFIC, NOT REALIZING THAT THE SYSTEM HAS BECOME INOP AND UNAWARE BECAUSE OF THE MISSED MESSAGE ON THE MFID. THESE ARE BASIC HUMAN FACTORS ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRIES FOR YEARS. THE INDUSTRY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THESE TYPES OF ISSUES AS WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR RELIANCE ON AUTOMATION IN THESE VEHICLES. THE LACK OF A STANDARD AND STANDARDS BETWEEN MANUFACTURERS WILL BECOME A SIGNIFICANT PLAYER IN COMING YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10486718

MOONROOF FRONT GLASS OF MY 2011 BUICK LACROSSE EXPLODED OUTWARD WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE. SOUNDED LIKE A GUN GOING OFF. CLIMATE CONTROL WAS ON "AUTO". *TR

NHTSA ODI 10379441