VehicleVerdict

2012 Buick LaCrosse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 301 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median LaCrosse year — the 2012 model ranks #5 of 15 LaCrosse years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 87 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

301

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other LaCrosse years?

LaCrosse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 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, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LaCrosse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Buick LaCrosse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8729%
Engine5017%
Suspension3110%
Steering248%
Transmission248%
Other176%
Brakes155%
Speed Control124%
Fuel System72%
Body & Structure72%
Tires & Wheels62%
Seats62%
Airbags41%
Seat Belts41%
Lighting31%
Latches & Locks21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2012 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

5 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.

13V173000Electrical SystemMay 6, 2013 · 42,904 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.

Consequence

If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

Remedy

GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

11V404000Electrical SystemAugust 3, 2011 · 4,077 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BUICK LACROSSE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 9, 2011, THROUGH JULY 2, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS (ESC)." 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.

Consequence

THE IMPROPER DIAGNOSING MAY CAUSE THE ESC TO FALSELY ACTIVATE, 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.

Remedy

GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STABILITY TRACK CAN ON MY DASH AND THE CAR FREAKED OUT AND BREAKED REALLY HARD ! I STATED TO SPIN OUT AND THEN A LOUD CRACK THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE . WE ALMOST REALLY LOST OUR LIVES! THIS IS THE 12…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 22, 2020 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUCK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING PLASTIC ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 13, 2018 · fire

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STABILITY TRACK CAN ON MY DASH AND THE CAR FREAKED OUT AND BREAKED REALLY HARD ! I STATED TO SPIN OUT AND THEN A LOUD CRACK THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE . WE ALMOST REALLY LOST OUR LIVES! THIS IS THE 12…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 22, 2020 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND HIT THE WALL OF A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 29, 2014 · crash

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STABILITY TRACK CAN ON MY DASH AND THE CAR FREAKED OUT AND BREAKED REALLY HARD ! I STATED TO SPIN OUT AND THEN A LOUD CRACK THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE . WE ALMOST REALLY LOST OUR LIVES! THIS IS THE 12…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 22, 2020 · crash

2012 Buick LaCrosse — common questions

Is the 2012 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 301 complaints put the 2012 model at #5 of 15 LaCrosse years. It is one of the LaCrosse years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 LaCrosse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (87 complaints), engine (50 complaints), suspension (31 complaints).

Does the 2012 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Buick LaCrosse. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Buick LaCrosse under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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 2012 Buick LaCrosse?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 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.