Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2011 Buick Lacrosse — assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its 17-character VIN to decode that exact car — its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment — alongside these records. Free, no account.
Run a VIN →Recalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Buick Lacrosse year.
Over 5 years this costs $2,250 more in fuel than an average new vehicle.
NHTSA frontal crash test
Rated configuration: 2011 Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this make/model/year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car — check with a dealer using the VIN.
Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
Campaign 20V764000
Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
Campaign 21V00F000
Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Campaign 14V447000
Issue: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE AND CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS". ON THESE VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL (ECC) MODULE MAY DISABLE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM SETTINGS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING, AND VENTILATION FOR THE VEHICLE.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 11V149000
The parts named most often across 169 owner complaintsfiled with NHTSA for this make, model and year — the closest free answer to “what is likely to go wrong?”
1 crash · 1 injured
1 crash
4 crashes · 3 injured
1 injured
1 crash · 1 injured
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so treat this as where to look, not a defect rate.
The contact purchased a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 143,939 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 231,952.
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.
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.
When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car I have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car
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.
#07-06-04-019F: Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL} Illuminated, OTC Pl':1.~J with Reduced Engine Power (Repair Instrument Panel (IP) to Body Harness Connector). Lost power on I-84 and had to cross over the right lane because I had no power, barely missing a rear end collision.
I was driving down the highway and when I went to apply my brakes the pedal completely broke off. It was just dangling on the floorboard. I had no brakes. I was forced to put my car in neutral to slow myself down and apply my parking break in order to stop. The road was very busy and I was going 60mph. I could have died. Luckily I was able to make it over 2 lanes and stop in the grass on the side of the road. I had the car towed to my mechanic and he had to replace the whole brake assembly. I have the broken parts and they are available for inspection. There were no warning lights
Car lost all steering while driving down the road
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.
The contact owns a 2011 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it started on its own and would shut down on its own. The contact heard a roaring noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 72,000.
The brakes are getting stuck on while I am driving. The most recent occurrence happened while I was on the highway. The car would not accelerate, the whole system was shaking, there was no safe space for me to pull over. This vehicle has a recall for this exact problem but from what the dealer is saying, not my VIN. I find it hard to believe that this has occurred and it is unrelated to a previous recall for faulty brakes on 2011 Buick LaCrosse. Since this incident, the abs light has been on and another dash light has been on. My mechanic believes the brakes getting too hot may have lead to further damage to the abs sensor.
The component is the brakes and the brake pedal while not engaging the brakes they remained on even after the vehicle was shut off .the vehicle brake lights remained on this was not duplicated when I took the car in by the dealer of how the brake remains engaged we even when not being used I would have to release the break by pulling it up with my foot while driving . This was duplicated and witnessed by two others the dealership where I bought the car and a trusted mechanic. which no avai there was no warning light indicating any type of concern prior to it doing this. the brake pedal being slightly stuck my transmission shifts not properly and hot feeling to the car now I have a warning saying that AC will not work due to the overheating of my engine which I believe to have repaired however the repair that was believed to be the problem obviously wasn't the problem because the light still remains on and the fan runs continuously the minute I start the car to the time I shut the car off I live in North Dakota and it is -1 today and the fan continues to run at all times and the warning light is on cooling fan the car lunges at times which is easy to lose control over when it does this it lunges to the point where it physically noticeable and and no warnings of this that a compensation is going to need to be made in my driving with this lunge issue. I do feel this break issue has affected many other parts of the vehicle and the safety associated with these components. Also at times the driver's seat will not move it goes up to the dash or back to the back seat leaving me in a position where I cannot drive the vehicle safely at all. Also the cruise control would not engage because of the brakes being slightly engaged. Took her to the dealership discussed this problem with them and they could not duplicate and it's been going on since I purchased the car It had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it and it continues to do this and I think it's a safety issue
Showing 12 of 169 complaints.