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 vehicle was well maintained and oil levels were within normal operating range. There were no prior indications of engine…
2011 Buick LaCrosse steering problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 11 model years of Buick LaCrosse we track for steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (12).
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Steering freezes up in mostly damp, wet days when driving very slow into parking area's.....steering completely locks...cannot move wheel at all....after a minute or less, I hear a noise and the wheel is unlocked... Happened numerous times over last two months , but seems to be happening more past few weeks...I am afraid to drive car...
Have had continued problems with adjustable steering wheel locking mechanism the dealer has advised that it "is the way it is" returned multiple times . I was to find a major service repair on line about the problem and called the dealership. It was then supposed to be repaired...but within 5 miles of our home on a twisting road the steering wheel became disconnected from the locking…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2011 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 12,890 and 71,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,890; a quarter make it past 71,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.