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ProblemsByVinFile / 2011-BUICK-LACROSSENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Buick
2011 Buick LaCrosse problems
The 2011 Buick LaCrosse has 169 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
What tends to fail on the 2011 Buick LaCrosse, and when
Across the NHTSA owner-complaint record for this vehicle, the earliest problems cluster
around 30,810 miles (body).
The first failure owners report as severe is
airbags, around
34,140 miles at roughly $1,100 to put right.
2011 Buick LaCrosse — reported failures in mileage order, from NHTSA owner complaints
System
Typically shows around
Typical repair
Owner reports
body
30,810 mi
~$1,500
5
airbagssevere
34,140 mi
~$1,100
10
brakessevere
39,849 mi
~$450
7
powertrainsevere
50,327 mi
~$2,500
18
steeringsevere
50,743 mi
~$700
12
engine
63,589 mi
~$3,100
20
cruise control
64,500 mi
~$600
3
electrical
73,386 mi
~$850
30
visibility
77,516 mi
~$350
14
suspensionsevere
83,680 mi
~$900
26
Mileage figures are averages across owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not a
manufacturer schedule or a prediction for any individual vehicle. Complaints are
owner-submitted and unverified, and owners who have no trouble rarely file — so this
shows where and when problems cluster, not how likely they are. Repair costs are
estimates. Federal records as of October 2026.
The 2011 Buick LaCrosse has 169 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of October 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 30 complaints, typically surfacing around 73,386 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 LaCrosse?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Suspension: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–169,000 mi
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 Buick LaCrosse? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 30 owner reports
· tends to show around 73,386 mi · ~$850 to fix
suspension — 26 owner reports
· tends to show around 83,680 mi · ~$900 to fix
engine — 20 owner reports
· tends to show around 63,589 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 50,327 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: suspension is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 83,680 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2011 LaCrosse· steering
While accelerating from a stop at an intersection and intitating a trn on a city street, the engine stopped and lost power steering and power brakes. The engine had to be jumped and a rod knock sound occurred. The engine later siezed up permanently at the service center. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick lacrosse. The contact stated that vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact heard a clicking noise coming from…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick lacrosse. The contact stated that the vehicle began to leak fuel from under the housing unit. Whenever the contact attempted to accelerate from a stop, it would jerk and hesitate before accelerating. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer…
Had a problem with your 2011 Buick LaCrosse?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Buick LaCrosse has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2011 Buick LaCrosse?
The 2011 Buick LaCrosse is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Suspension: 26 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–169,000 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 Buick LaCrosse?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 30 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 73,386 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 Buick LaCrosse a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 169 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 73,386 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 Buick LaCrosse?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 30 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 73,386 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 73,386 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Buick LaCrosse has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Buick LaCrosse?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 169 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Buick/LaCrosse.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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