VehicleVerdict

2016 Buick LaCrosse problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Buick LaCrosse sits mid-pack among LaCrosse years: 60 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 200, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (12), transmission (7), and speed control (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

60

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other LaCrosse years?

LaCrosse NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LaCrosse years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Buick LaCrosse problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1220%
Transmission712%
Speed Control610%
Airbags58%
Other58%
Engine47%
Brakes47%
Driver Assistance47%
Fuel System35%
Electrical System23%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Latches & Locks12%
Lighting12%
Seat Belts12%
Seats12%
Body & Structure12%
Suspension12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

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

17V437000Seat BeltsJuly 10, 2017 · 40,683 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SWAYED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 1, 2017

“WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65+ MPH) THE INFORMATION CENTER WILL DISPLAY 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND CAR WILL DOWN SHIFT AND ONLY REACH 45 MPH. CAUSING CLOSE TO REAR-END CRASH. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY AND TURN OFF ENGINE. RE-START ENGINE AND CONTINUE DRIVING. IT HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 27, 2016

“THIS IS TO AMEND COMPLAINT NUMBER 11051891. CAUSE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WAS AFTERMARKET FLOOR MAT INSTALLED BY THE BUICK DEALER! FLOOR MAT HAS DIAGONAL GROOVES MOLDED INTO THE RUBBER IN EXACTLY THE WORST SPOT SUCH THAT THE CORNER OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL CATCHES IN THE GROOVE AND HOLDS THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 3, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 12, 2016 · crash

“The right side power mirror changes position by itself, it only seems to occur when starting vehicle. It will change even if the correct position is entered into the memory. It happens numerous times in a day or not at all. And I took it in for service, the dealer said there is nothing wrong, we…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 4, 2021

2016 Buick LaCrosse — common questions

Is the 2016 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 60 NHTSA complaints, below the typical LaCrosse year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2016 LaCrosse problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (12 complaints), transmission (7 complaints), speed control (6 complaints).

Does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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 2016 Buick LaCrosse?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.