Home · 2012 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid · Complaints

What 204 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid

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 (204)Crash / fire / injury (16)Electrical system (60)Engine (46)Suspension (31)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (25)Steering (24)Transmission & drivetrain (24)Brakes (16)Speed control (12)Fuel system (8)Body & structure (7)

3 of 204 complaints match · Speed control · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Nov 5, 2025SteeringElectrical systemSpeed controlCrash

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

Mar 28, 2013Speed controlCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 BUICK LACROSSE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 100 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK, HANDS, SHOULDERS AND HIP. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FIRST RESPOND STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, WHICH DEACTIVATED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10504883

Dec 10, 2012Body & structureSpeed controlCrash

DRIVER WAS ON A LARGE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF. DRIVER OBTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR SURGED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE PEDAL COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND WAS LAYING IN THE FLOORBOARD. CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR 6 MONTHS. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE THE CASE OF THE PEDAL FAILURE. NO ANSWER YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10487865

Working with the data? Download all 204 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 24, 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 2012 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid verdict →