VehicleVerdict

2013 Buick LaCrosse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Buick LaCrosse sits mid-pack among LaCrosse years: 198 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 198, with 5 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 59 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

198

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

5

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other LaCrosse years?

LaCrosse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 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, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LaCrosse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Buick LaCrosse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5930%
Engine3116%
Suspension2714%
Steering2412%
Transmission116%
Other105%
Fuel System95%
Airbags53%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Brakes42%
Body & Structure42%
Seats32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Speed Control21%
Driver Assistance11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2013 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.

21V633000SuspensionAugust 12, 2021 · 32,894 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and 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 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. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 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 N212330130.

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.

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.

13V097000Electrical SystemMarch 15, 2013 · 26,582 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.

Consequence

If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT THE FAILURE ALSO RECURRED AT VARIOUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 28, 2017 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 16, 2013

ON SATURDAY, APRIL 7,2013 MY WIFE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A CONDO IN MARCO IS.FL. SHE WAS DRIVING OUR 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. KNOWING THAT THE LACROSSE HAS A LOW FRONT END,SHE SLOWS DOWN TO A CRAWL TO AVOID DRAGGING THE FRONT END ON THE PARKING LOT BLOCKS. SHE IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PARKING LOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 7, 2013 · crash

WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I BARELY MANAGED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING RETURNED. THE STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT SINCE I PARKED IT AT HOME. I START THE CAR FREQUENTLY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 9, 2020

AT 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES. LIGHT BREAKING APPLIED WITHOUT OPERATOR. GEARSHIFT LEVER AND GAS PEDAL BOTH UNRESPONSIVE. CONTINUE AT 10 MPH TO GET OFF FOUR LANE, TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART FOR NORMAL OPERATION. NO WARNING LIGHTS, DEALER COULD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 23, 2016

2013 Buick LaCrosse — common questions

Is the 2013 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

It is close to typical for the LaCrosse: 198 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 LaCrosse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (59 complaints), engine (31 complaints), suspension (27 complaints).

Does the 2013 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Buick LaCrosse. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 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 2013 Buick LaCrosse?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 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.