What 204 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid

Brake lights may stay on when the car is parked and the engine is off. This is due to the brake pedal may become sticky intermittently as per GM's Service Bulletin: SB-10045319-1529. At times, while pressing the gas pedal, the car may not move at all and it can become a safety hazard for the driver and drivers behind you. However, as of 5-8-23, GM does not have an open recall for this safety issue and may lead to an fatal accident. Please investigate this issue and possibly open a recall notice as this could cause a serious safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11520979

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

NHTSA ODI 11518978

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt had detached and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer determined that there was a gasket leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the serpentine belt had previously been replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

NHTSA ODI 11512439

The charging system in my vehicle is no longer working. There's been a recall done for the charging system. It was fixed back in 2013 before long before I bought the vehicle. It's only been nine years since it's been fixed and now it's not working again. I'd like this matter to be looked into as I believe it's faulty at no fault of my own.

NHTSA ODI 11494896

The brake pedal sticks down during interior high temperatures (generally during the summer months when parked in the sun) and causes the brakes to drag. It appears this is a known defect (nhtsa# 10141352) gm technical service bulletin#PIC 5692D. I just want the NHTSA to be aware of another vehicle exhibiting this condition. I will be repairing the vehicle myself.

NHTSA ODI 11494758

I was driving the LaCrosse in my neighborhood. A few minutes into the trip, I noticed a burning kind of smell. Then I saw smoke coming from the left side under the hood. I pulled over to the side of the road and exited the car to check, but the smoke quickly got worse and became flames. I then called 911.The police and fire department responded, and they were able to extinguish the fire. However, the front part of the car including the hood area and the passenger compartment was completely burned. It was a clear and mild summer day. And the car was travelling at relatively low speed on a local street, nothing unusual until the car suddenly started to smell, smoke, and burn. From the first burning smell to the car fire it took only a few minutes. The fire department investigation report states that the origin of the fire was "Left front of the engine compartment behind the left headlight and before the battery", and " the most likely cause was an electrical failure." I am the original owner of the car. It had been regularly maintained. The car had about 87,750 miles. It had not been involved in any accident.

NHTSA ODI 11490329

I am the Fire Marshal in Ashtabula Ohio. Fire occurred in the driver's seat cushion. The origin of the fire was determined to be below the seat covering in the area of the springs and foam padding. the only competent ignition sources in the area are a computer module, power seat motors and seat heater coil. The computer module was eliminated during the investigation leaving only the heater and position motors as competent ignition sources. A review of repair records indicates the owner report power seat issues to the dealer in June 2021 that went unresolved. The dealer records indicate they were unable to replicate the failure. The fire self-extinguished upon consumption of all available oxygen; however, the smoke damage has resulted in complete destruction of interior. As a Certified Fire Investigator, I feel obligated to report a potential problem involving ignition of passenger vehicles. [XXX] Ashtabula Fire Department INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11489528

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

NHTSA ODI 11475859

I have been dealing with this problem for over 7 months now. My Buick Lacrosse '12, while driving it (doesn't matter the speed) all of the suddent it starts locking and unlocking, immediately after the speed drops and the car comes to a complete stop. I have little children that ride with me in the car- while driving on the interstate this is a HUGE LIFE HAZARD, because I can't control when the car stops. I have taken it to multiple shops, non a single one of them can find anything wrong. No codes come up when they check for it. This is beyond frustrating. I see other Buicks have been recalled due to this issues. PLEASE HELP!! I am seriously concerned that me and my family could have a fatal accident because my car stops on the interstate with out warning. My name is [XXX], my husband is [XXX]- contact cell [XXX]. Address: [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11471805

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.

NHTSA ODI 11469478

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after a while. The contact stated that the service stabili trac warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the error code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the error occurred several times. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.

NHTSA ODI 11466932

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The stability trac and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided several unknown codes. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. The contact has stated that due to the seriousness of the problems, that they no longer own the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11466742

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).

NHTSA ODI 11463347

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the electronic brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V404000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

NHTSA ODI 11461814

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a grinding sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted; however, no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00F000 (Suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 207,777.

NHTSA ODI 11449966

2012 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-764 THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN ZIG-ZAGGING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP DUE TO THE PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE AT THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11448195

Car shut off while in stopping position. Happen 3 times before supposed problem was fixed and then two more time after oil change and transmission control module fixed. Dealership does not know what the issue. Thankful each time I was not driving on interstate.

NHTSA ODI 11440583

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rear end of the vehicle seemed loosened whenever the vehicle hit a bump while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11439862

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11439698

2012 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR TOE LINK SUSPENSION SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAFETY RECALL FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER AS THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE PARTS AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS DENIED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

NHTSA ODI 11439470

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11438236

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while at a standstill, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V173000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

NHTSA ODI 11437230

Driving under 40mph on two-lane road next to the lake. We heard a noise and thought we blew a tire. My husband tried to get the car under control and avoid going into the lake. The driver-side rear tire was not flat but was very "crooked". Vehicle was not driveable. Tow truck towed to dealership. Police and tow truck driver inspected the vehicle. No warnings. Upon receipt of recall notice, we brought vehicle to dealer on 8/27/2021 for service of the toe link. The service was not done because the part was not available and there was no status on when the part would be available. We are without a car. Stuck with a rental car and tow truck bill.

NHTSA ODI 11435533

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a second recall notice which stated that parts were now available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts remained unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11434755

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a second notice that stated that parts were now available. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts were still not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11434213