VehicleVerdict

2011 Buick LaCrosse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2011 Buick LaCrosse sits mid-pack among LaCrosse years: 243 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 198, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (43), engine (35), and suspension (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

243

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other LaCrosse years?

LaCrosse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted414 complaints2005: 414 complaints2006: 383 complaints2007: 326 complaints2008: 343 complaints2009: 146 complaints2010: 278 complaints2011: 243 complaints2012: 301 complaints2013: 198 complaints2014: 89 complaints2015: 54 complaints2016: 60 complaints2017: 42 complaints2018: 19 complaints2019: 8 complaints
LaCrosse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LaCrosse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Buick LaCrosse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4318%
Engine3514%
Suspension2711%
Visibility & Wipers239%
Transmission198%
Brakes187%
Other146%
Steering125%
Airbags115%
Seats94%
Speed Control94%
Body & Structure83%
Fuel System52%
Tires & Wheels42%
Driver Assistance21%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2011 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V00F000SuspensionDecember 22, 2021 · 4,271 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V764000SuspensionDecember 21, 2020 · 220,006 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

14V447000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 414,333 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

11V149000Visibility & WipersMarch 4, 2011 · 10,179 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR A NON-RELATED ISSUE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT UNKNOWN WIRES WERE BURNED UNDER THE HOOD. IT WAS VISIBLE THAT A FIRE OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 28, 2015 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR A NON-RELATED ISSUE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT UNKNOWN WIRES WERE BURNED UNDER THE HOOD. IT WAS VISIBLE THAT A FIRE OCCURRED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 28, 2015 · fire

I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TOWARDS THE RIGHT TOWARDS A CURB ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND STEERING WHEEL AND CAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEELS AND THE STEERING LOST ITS POWER BRINGING THE CAR TO SLAM INTO THE CURB. I HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING OR TURNING THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 5, 2015 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY REVERSED INTO THE SIDE OF THE GARAGE DOOR AND CONTINUED TO ROLL, CRASHING INTO A CURB WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND FOUR RIMS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 2, 2011 · crash

2011 Buick LaCrosse — common questions

Is the 2011 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

It is close to typical for the LaCrosse: 243 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 LaCrosse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (43 complaints), engine (35 complaints), suspension (27 complaints).

Does the 2011 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Buick LaCrosse. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Buick LaCrosse years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LaCrosse years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2008, 2007, 2012. The cleanest record among LaCrosse years belongs to 2019.

How safe is the 2011 Buick LaCrosse?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Buick LaCrosse earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.