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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-BUICK-LACROSSE
2012 · buick

buick LaCrosse problems

1 safety recall. 197 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
45 reports · avg $850
moderate
suspension
29 reports · avg $900
moderate
engine
26 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
steering
24 reports · avg $700
severe
powertrain
18 reports · avg $2,500
severe
body
6 reports · avg $1,500
severe
brakes
5 reports · avg $450
severe
airbags
4 reports · avg $1,100
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 LaCrosse · other
SOMETIMES WHILE CORNERING, ALMOST ALWAYS A RIGHT CORNER, MY CAR WILL ACT LIKE ANTI SKID IS ENABLED...I LOSE POWER AND SLOW WAY DOWN,, THEN MY CAR SPEEDS BACK UP ON ITS OWN, IT DOES IT WHILE ENGAGED TO ANTI SKID OR NOT. WHEN I PUT BRAND NEW TIRES ON, IT QUIT DOING IT, BUT IT'S…
12/23/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11384739.0
2012 LaCrosse · electrical
I’m experiencing issues that seem to align with the gcm recall despite my vehicle supposedly being fixed for this recall prior to my purchase of it. I cannot run the heat with the headlights or various combinations of things that would otherwise be normal because the battery…
12/21/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11631970.0
2012 LaCrosse · airbags Crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING…
12/21/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11162985.0
2012 LaCrosse · suspension
All the specific details are unknown, but I had a mechanic work on my car and the problem that he had to fix. He stated that it should’ve been detected, but it was something wrong with my car, letting me know that I had the problem and also I have to keep replacing my camshaft…
12/19/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11706046.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11V404000 03/08/2011

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BUICK LACROSSE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 9, 2011, THROUGH JULY 2, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO

THE IMPROPER DIAGNOSING MAY CAUSE THE ESC TO FALSELY ACTIVATE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN CHANGES IN VEHICLE HANDLING AND DECELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE'S DESIRED PATH OF TRAVEL AND DESIRED VEHICLE SPEED, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 197 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 45 complaints filed. 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. 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 2012 Buick LaCrosse?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 197 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with buick. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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