This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Buick LaCrosse powertrain problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What stands out
Among the 12 model years of Buick LaCrosse in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report loss of transmission power while driving at highway speeds—the engine keeps running but the transmission won't transfer power, forcing them to coast to the shoulder. This happens between 13,000 and 68,000 miles and has recurred multiple times even after dealer service.
A separate cluster of complaints describes intermittent electrical gremlins: StabiliTrak, ABS, and park assist lights flash; gauges go haywire; and the engine jerks or loses power at random. One owner visited the dealer four times over two years for the same issue. Dealers have replaced the ECM and reprogrammed the TCM without resolving it.
Oil depletion is a recurring theme. One owner found the timing chain and seals need replacement after three years and running bone-dry oil between 1500-mile intervals.
Shift mechanism failures also appear: transmission won't engage reverse despite pedal input, or fails to upshift from 1st to 2nd gear. One transmission was disassembled and found to have a reverse belt that fell off.
Dealers acknowledge some failures are common—one says they keep transmission control modules in stock. Yet manufacturer support is minimal; repeated visits leave owners with unresolved intermittent faults and bills for $1000+.
Same Buick LaCrosse powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Timing Chain and Seal Degradation
Timing chain and seals wear prematurely, causing oil to not circulate properly through the engine. Oil drains from the pan rapidly between service intervals, starving the engine and causing hard running and weak acceleration.
When: Starts showing check engine light warnings early in ownership; becomes severe by 3+ years of vehicle age.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on intermittently then persistently; Oil depletes rapidly (bone dry at 1500 miles); Hard running sensation, weak acceleration; Poor oil distribution
Codes mentioned: Check engine code (unspecified in narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: $2000 for timing chain and seal replacement, plus several hundred in diagnostic labor
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports a smaller-engine variant of same model was recalled for this issue; no recall issued for larger-engine variant.
Transmission Loss of Power / Stalling
Transmission suddenly loses ability to transfer power to wheels while engine continues running. Vehicle loses all acceleration capability and must be coasted to shoulder. Occurs at various speeds during normal driving.
When: Between 13,000 and 68,000 miles; some occurrences within two years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of transmission power while driving; Unable to accelerate; Engine continues running but car will not move; Coasts to stop or shoulder
Codes mentioned: Transmission control module (TCM) lost communication codes, PCM malfunction codes, Communication error codes
Repairs/costs cited: $1060 for faulty transmission control module repair; dealers keep this part in stock due to frequency; some owners had transmission replaced prior to failure but issue persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports Buick advised nothing could be done; repeated dealer visits have not resolved issue; dealer confirmed module problem is common enough to stock
Electrical / Communication Module Failures
ECM, TCM, or PCM modules fail or lose communication with each other, triggering cascading warning lights and loss of engine power. Issues are intermittent and difficult to reproduce reliably, even though dealer can sometimes duplicate the problem.
When: Can occur anytime during ownership; intermittent pattern with weeks or months incident-free periods between failures
Symptoms owners cite: Service StabiliTrak warning light illuminates; ABS light flashes on and off; Park assist light flashes on and off; RPM gauge goes haywire; Speedometer reads erratically; Temperature gauge reads erratically; Engine loses power and jerks; Check engine light comes on
Codes mentioned: ECM lost communication, TCM lost communication, PCM malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: ECM replacement at owner cost; TCM reprogramming attempted; root cause not identified despite multiple dealer visits (4+ in one case)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Buick customer service stated nothing could be done; dealer technicians identified problem as electrical but unable to pinpoint exact cause
Transmission Shift Mechanism Failure
Manual shift lever, mode switch, and related mechanical components in transmission shift assembly fail, preventing gear engagement. Some cases involve reverse belt coming off its track.
When: Between 13,000 and 41,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle in reverse with accelerator depressed but will not move; Sudden stalling while driving; Maintenance warning light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Internal mode switch and D-dent lever replacement; transmission disassembly revealed reverse belt fell off; diagnosis difficult and not always completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted in at least one case but offered no assistance
Transmission Upshift Failure
Transmission fails to upshift from 1st to 2nd gear, either during cold start or while in motion. Occurs randomly regardless of engine temperature or driving condition.
When: Occurs after 120,000 miles or more
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fails to shift from 1st to 2nd gear; Occurs cold or hot start; Occurs during acceleration or while in motion
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided in narrative
Transmission Jerking During Normal Acceleration
Transmission produces forceful jerking motions during moderate-speed driving. Dealers claim this is normal design behavior, but owners report it as abnormal.
When: Occurs during 30-35 mph driving
Symptoms owners cite: Forceful jerking while accelerating at 30-35 mph; Erratic acceleration behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have dismissed as normal GM transmission design
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim behavior is by design; owner disputes this assessment
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2010 Buick LaCrosse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2010 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 23,591 and 79,192 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 23,591; a quarter make it past 79,192. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Buick/LaCrosse.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.