What 204 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid

I was driving my car the engine turned off by itself everything locked up when i stop i tried to start it again and it just clicked, I thought it was the battery got a new battery started up drove it about a half mile did it again turned off everything locked up

NHTSA ODI 11750340

I was driving my car the engine turned off by itself everything locked up when i stop i tried to start it again and it just clicked, I thought it was the battery got a new battery started up drove it about a half mile did it again turned off everything locked up

NHTSA ODI 11750341

2012 Buick LaCrosse V6 (Fairfax Plant). The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of engine power and forward propulsion while traveling at highway speed, cutting off mid-drive with no warning. This occurred alongside a persistent StabiliTrak malfunction; the dash showed repeated "Service StabiliTrak" warnings before the failure, then turned bright orange with multiple warning lights and a message instructing me to activate my turn signal and pull over before RPMs dropped to zero. Because power cut out instantly, my [XXX] son (passenger) and I were trapped in the center lane of a dense, multi-lane highway. I was forced to dodge high-speed traffic and coast the dead vehicle across multiple active lanes to reach the shoulder, creating an imminent collision risk to us and other drivers. We were then stranded on the narrow shoulder awaiting a tow, with traffic passing within feet at highway speed. Both my son and I have CMT2A (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), a neuromuscular disability limiting mobility; we were incapable of quickly evacuating the vehicle or reaching safety up the embankment, leaving us trapped in a highly dangerous position. No official inspection or diagnosis has been performed yet. My dash displayed the same "Service StabiliTrak" warning referenced in NHTSA Campaign 11V404000, though my VIN was excluded from that recall, and my failure went beyond the handling/deceleration issue described in that recall to a complete loss of propulsion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11749557

Subject: Complaint Regarding Improper Handling of Safety Recall Repair Hello, I would like to file an official complaint regarding a dealership that failed to properly follow required procedures for a federally mandated safety recall repair on my vehicle. Vehicle Information: • Year/Make/Model: 2012 Buick Lacrosse • VIN: [XXX] • Recall Number (if known): Dealership Information: • Dealership Name: Castle Buick • Location: 7400 Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546 • Date of Service Attempt: May 2026 Details of the Issue: The dealership did not follow the proper safety recall repair guidelines as required under federal regulations. Despite the recall requiring specific corrective actions to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate, the dealer either: • failed to perform the full recall procedure, • refused or delayed the repair without a valid reason, or • returned the vehicle without completing required steps to ensure safety (such as proper inspection, adjustment, or alignment). This violates my rights as a vehicle owner, as federal law requires manufacturers and authorized dealers to correct safety-related defects at no cost and in full compliance with recall instructions. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance in ensuring that the recall is properly completed and that the dealership’s non-compliance is investigated. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others on the road. Contact Information: • Name: [[XXX]] • Phone: [[XXX]] • Email: [[XXX]] Thank you for your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11745950

There is a know water leak issues with GM. The below is the tsb, Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #16-NA-073. This is a safety issues because if your not aware it could lead to mold in your car. I noticed my issue about 3 weeks ago when my floor board was flooded. I can tell by how the carpet looks its been leaking for a while. I would like this to be further looked into. This is a know issues and the dealership should be responsible for repairs. This is also going to be a costly repair

NHTSA ODI 11745321

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 advice of the bystander, and the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, where an unknown diagnosis was made. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer on several occasions. The dealer replaced the motor mounts, the engine oil, and other unknown parts; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI 11742307

The break pedal sticks down during high temperatures ( generally during summer months especially when park outside in the sun and high humidity) and causes the brakes to drag and the break pedal doesn’t come up by itself! Also the brake lights stay on. It is very dangerous to drive on this condition. I just want theNHTSA to be aware of this and I have seen a lot of complaints on line I contacted gm and no response! It should be a recall for this! Please, help us with problem

NHTSA ODI 11735921

All the specific details are unknown, but I had a mechanic work on my car and the problem that he had to fix. He stated that it should’ve been detected, but it was something wrong with my car, letting me know that I had the problem and also I have to keep replacing my camshaft timing Solenoid my car keeps giving me error codes P0011 and P0128

NHTSA ODI 11706046

during a regular drive the check stabiltrack system message popped up on the dash in the middle circle and then the little car with the squiggly lines behind it popped up and the check engine light came on and started blinking. Immediately I noticed lack of steering control, the car's speed was accelerating and decelerating on its own, jerking and stalling also was observed. As of now the car sits in my driveway because I don't trust the safety of it. I literally feared my life was in danger driving it because of the lack of handling and the acceleration shifts that were so random. So I returned home, as I pulled into the yard the vehicle jerked hard while I was attempting turn into the driveway causing me to hit my mailbox and damaged the side fender and front bumper. no one was injured but the car was damaged as stated before and I'm scared to drive it anywhere. The unpredictable behavior displayed in the vehicle puts other drivers at risk as well because I can't control the vehicle properly. so I'm guessing all in all its a malfunction somewhere in the electrical system. I have read about recalls in my type of vehicle involving the ESC and it appears to be what is happening with mine. As of now it sits in my driveway I need a remedy and fast because that was my only source of transportation and I'm a single mother of four with a lot to take of and no way to do it.

NHTSA ODI 11697783

My 2012 Buick Lacrosse had a recall for Loss control generator control module, The recall was fixed, but recently my car shut off in the middle of the highway for the same issue. The vehicle was towed to the GM Buick Dealer and they quoted me $7, 525.00 for the part because it is an after market part and maybe currently unavailable. This is a safety issue and I could have been hurt. The car has malfunctioned due there recall issue and I feel they should fix the issue as they did before or issue me a newer vehicle. Please help me

NHTSA ODI 11661496

Improperly calibrated Stabilitrak ESC system. Accelerator pedal position sensors 1-2 5v reference 3 circuit Heated oxygen 2 sensor Car is losing power and esc light is on along with check engine light

NHTSA ODI 11652672

I’m experiencing issues that seem to align with the gcm recall despite my vehicle supposedly being fixed for this recall prior to my purchase of it. I cannot run the heat with the headlights or various combinations of things that would otherwise be normal because the battery will drain within 30 minutes, resulting in the car to going into “battery saver mode” where each system begins to power off one by one which ends with the car losing speed and just turning off and not turning back on. I’ve been stuck and had to jump it more times than I can possibly count due to it not starting or going in the battery saver mode. I’ve noticed a weird odor that smells like burning wires. I’ve owned this car for 3 years and have had these same problems with it since the day I bought it. I’m at the point now where I don’t even drive it unless absolutely necessary because I’m afraid it will shut down or cause an accident. The power steering is always first to shut down and on various occasions, I almost hit someone or something trying to steer off the road. I chose todays date as the “incident occur” date but this has been an ongoing issue since the purchase.

NHTSA ODI 11631970

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s and driver’s seat air bags and the front passenger’s and driver’s door air bags deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The vehicle as taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed yet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621951

I was not in a car accident! Hoping not to be just want to report this issue.Car kills in mid driving stability track comes on flashing checking engine with stability light and track system light as well! leaves me stranded in the middle of wherever I am! Stability light comes on car will not start back up . It’s takes a while to start back up! Having kids in the car with this issue is a major problem! I have several videos of the car doing it and will try to keep track of it! The check engine light is not on when flashing not reads when I check it just stability lights! The car has been doing this for months now! I’ve read that this is an issue with other Buicks like mines. Please help get this issue resolved the proper way! Also the security comes on when the car does that

NHTSA ODI 11617033

I purchased this car 1 year ago with 121,460 miles, within the first week I had to buy new tires and replace the wipers,now I have to replace the alternator all of this is within a year. I just got the estimate for the alternator which is over 700.00 which I don't have.

NHTSA ODI 11615699

My 2012 Buick lacrosse died while driving putting me and my children at risk. Vehicle was then jumped but battery voltage kept decreasing. It says service batter charging. Took to mechanic they said all electric components say low voltage then had battery replaced to see if that would fix it but it did not and I was told it would need to go to dealership to have all parts replaced which is 4k+. Did research and it may relate to the electrical recall made on the cars in 2013.

NHTSA ODI 11611909

while driving the Electronic Stability Control warning light comes on and the car loses power.

NHTSA ODI 11610188

While driving, the STABILITRAK indicator lighted and the car began to flash multiple warnings, loss of steering ability, electrical anomalies, and eventual shut-off. This happened while on a major interstate highway, jeopardizing the life of the driver and other drivers. This happened on multiple occasions within two days. The vehicle was towed to a service center, who had difficulty determining the cause. The service center suggested transferring the vehicle to an authorized GM dealership. Similar incidents have been reported by other owners on this website. This should be investigated immediately.

NHTSA ODI 11597776

Hello my car is stalling out and the stabilìtrak lights comes on with trak symbol. Car does not crank back up until the next day.. it keeps doing this after several days. Im scared to drive this car with the stalling when driving it... PLEASE help me fix this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11594624

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the park assists, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the RPM was elevated. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring and persistent for several years; however, the dealer had not been able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a severe electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11585309

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.

NHTSA ODI 11572128

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and shutoff independently. The stabili-trak warning light was flashing after the failure had occurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the failure was not covered under a recall. There was no assistance provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V404000 (Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11568709

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11555415

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that the driver's side front seat belt cable mount had detached while attempting to use the seat belt. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540009

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off with the stabili-trak warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers and the contact was informed that the computer and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V40400 (Electronic Stability Control) that he linked to the failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526040