2011 Buick LaCrosse problems
The 2011 Buick LaCrosse has 169 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2011 Buick LaCrosse has 169 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 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.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 LaCrosse | 250 | 0 |
| 2009 LaCrosse | 106 | 1 |
| 2010 LaCrosse | 189 | 0 |
| 2011 LaCrosse (this page) | 169 | 0 |
| 2012 LaCrosse | 204 | 1 |
| 2013 LaCrosse | 128 | 1 |
| 2014 LaCrosse | 63 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
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 7.6/10 — above the segment average
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
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 — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2011 Buick LaCrosse
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2011 Buick LaCrosse
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.
- ~50,000 misteering~$700
- ~55,900 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~60,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~72,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~72,700 mivisibility~$350
- ~76,000 misuspension~$900
"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
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…
The brake pedal gets 'stuck' during normal breaking. I have to put my foot under the pedal and pull it back up or the brakes will not disengage.
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Buick LaCrosse is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
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 7.6/10 — above the segment average. 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 7.6 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.