This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Buick LaCrosse airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Buick LaCrosse have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 LaCrosse | 17 |
| 2008 LaCrosse | 65 |
| 2009 LaCrosse | 21 |
| 2010 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2011 LaCrosse (this page) | 10 |
| 2012 LaCrosse | 4 |
| 2013 LaCrosse | 4 |
| 2014 LaCrosse | 7 |
| 2015 LaCrosse | 6 |
5crashes
7injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 10 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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 informational bulletin provides information on how to determine whether or not an airbag module is counterfeit or not and what to do if a counterfeit airbag is found.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on the driver airbag light is flashing in the cluster and/or the passenger airbag ON indicator does not illuminate when the passenger is present when the SDM setup has not been completed after reprogramming.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2011 Buick LaCrosse vehicles describe two broad airbag failures: deployment defects and warning light issues. In four separate incidents, airbags failed to deploy during crashes severe enough to cause injury—a 5 mph intersection collision, a 60 mph guardrail impact, a 50 mph frontal crash, and a 35 mph pole impact. Drivers and passengers sustained head, neck, back, and leg injuries without airbag protection. Dealers and GM investigations either found no defect or never diagnosed root cause.
Separately, multiple owners report the passenger airbag warning light remaining illuminated when the seat is occupied and seat belt fastened. One owner had a dealer attempt repair that lasted only two weeks before the light returned. GM technical support told the dealer the system was designed to recognize only certain weight thresholds.
One owner reported the driver-side airbag deployed abruptly during a 40 mph crash, causing a concussion. Another owner claims the airbag deployed without any accident or impact whatsoever while driving a regularly serviced vehicle. Owners mention a Takata inflator recall that may apply. No repairs were completed in most cases; vehicles were either not serviced or classified as total losses.
Same Buick LaCrosse airbags reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Airbags fail to deploy in frontal/side impact crashes
Multiple owners reported that airbags did not deploy during significant crashes, including a 5 mph intersection collision, a 60 mph crash into a guardrail, a 50 mph frontal impact, and a 35 mph telephone pole impact. Injuries sustained include neck, back, leg, head, and bruising. Dealers and manufacturer investigations either found no defect or did not diagnose the cause.
When: Failures occurred at 15,000 miles, unknown mileage, 15,449 miles, and 46,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy during crash impact; Driver or passenger sustains injuries without airbag protection; Crash severity insufficient to trigger deployment threshold
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles either not repaired or towed as total loss; dealer stated no recall available in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM determined no defect in airbag system in one case; manufacturer investigation was initiated but vehicle not repaired in another; cause not diagnosed in remaining cases
Passenger airbag light illuminates with seat occupied
Multiple owners reported that the passenger airbag warning light remains illuminated when the front passenger seat is occupied, indicating the airbag is not functioning. One owner had a dealer attempt a fix that lasted only two weeks. Dealer technical support indicated the system was designed to only recognize certain weight thresholds.
When: Reported at 11,290 miles; ongoing issue in another complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light illuminates when seat is occupied; Warning light persists despite seat belt being in place; Light returned after temporary repair; Intermittent or persistent warning condition
Repairs/costs cited: One repair attempted with temporary resolution (two weeks); vehicle not permanently repaired in other cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer reported vehicle operated as designed; one owner noted Takata inflator recall on 2011 Buick
Airbag deploys without impact or warning
One owner reported the driver-side airbag deployed prematurely while driving approximately 40 mph during a crash, causing a concussion to the driver. The deployment was without warning and the manufacturer was not initially aware of the failure.
When: Failure mileage 5,700 miles; current mileage 6,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys without expected warning; Deployment occurs during crash impact; Driver sustains head injury (concussion) from airbag deployment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not aware of the failure; dealer advised filing NHTSA complaint
Airbag deploys without any accident or impact
One owner reported that the airbags deployed while driving with no accident of any sort. The owner states the vehicle has never been in an accident and is regularly serviced. Owner believes GM data may be incorrect and suspects manufacturer reluctance to take liability.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys spontaneously while driving; No accident or impact occurs; Deployment unexpected and unwarranted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner alleges GM unwilling to accept liability
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
While driving the airbags deployed. No accident of any sort. My car has never been in an accident! Gm does not want to be liable. Im a single mom. Im $2000 away from paying the car off, to be car note free as I have a daughter in college. I have the car serviced regularly . Their data is incorrect.
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 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 airbags problem on the 2011 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 34,140 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2011/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.