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 will drain within 30 minutes, resulting in the car to going into “battery saver mode” where each system begins to power off…
2012 Buick LaCrosse electrical problems
moderate 45 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 45 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Owners have filed 45 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Buick LaCrosse has widespread electrical issues including unexpected engine shutdown, charging system failure, stability control failures, and even an engine fire case—many owners report these occur despite recall campaigns 13V173000 and 11V40400, with some VINs excluded from coverage or recalls closed when problems persist. Before buying one, have a dealer run the VIN against all available campaigns and get a thorough electrical and charging system inspection.
The 2012 LaCrosse electrical system fails in ways that strand owners on highways and city streets. Most common is sudden engine shutdown at any speed—sometimes the service charging system light comes on first, sometimes the car just dies. Some owners are left unable to restart; others restart after 15 minutes or the next day. Power steering goes out when power is lost, creating a genuine safety hazard in traffic.
Battery and charging problems tie into many of these shutdowns. Batteries drain fast or stop charging properly, owners replace them multiple times with no fix, and service technicians find no fault codes. One owner's vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment (fire department ruled electrical failure), another's engine seized and required complete replacement at $30,000 cost with no warranty help.
Stability control and traction control lights flash on, sometimes with stalling; dealers cannot find what triggers them. Door locks unlock on their own, radio screens go black, TPMS throws false flat-tire warnings. Some owners report these exact failures were addressed under recall 13V173000, yet their VINs were excluded from coverage or dealers say the recall is closed. Loose, improperly secured wiring in the engine bay was documented in at least one case. Burning wire smell accompanies some electrical failures. The complaints span from nearly new vehicles to ones past 150,000 miles.
Same Buick LaCrosse electrical reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Engine shutdown and loss of power while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power or shuts down abruptly during driving, sometimes accompanied by service charging system or stability control warning lights. Owners report sudden stalls at various speeds (city streets to highway) without warning, loss of power steering capability, and inability to restart immediately.
When: Occurs at various speeds and driving conditions; some instances within first year of ownership; mileage range 18,798 to 154,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls without warning at various speeds; Loss of all electrical power; Service charging system warning light illuminates; Service stability track/stabilitytrack warning light comes on; Loss of power steering; Vehicle will not restart immediately or requires multiple restart attempts; Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle may restart after 15-30 minutes or the next day
Codes mentioned: P0300 (misfires - spark plug malfunction), Electrical system codes related to charging, Battery indicator illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics have replaced alternators, batteries, starter motors, spark plugs, and oil/filters; some replaced computer/brain box or wiring harness; one owner faced $30,000 engine replacement after rod failure; another quoted $7,525 for generator control module replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 13V173000 (Electrical System) and 11V40400 (Electronic Stability Control) exist; many owners report VINs not included in recall coverage despite matching symptoms; dealers unable to duplicate failures or find fault codes in some cases; GM/Buick declined warranty coverage on some vehicles; some dealers refused to service under recall
Charging system failure and battery drain
Battery drains rapidly, charging system stops functioning, or alternator/generator control module fails to charge battery properly. Vehicle reports service battery charging system warnings and requires repeated battery replacements that do not resolve the underlying issue.
When: Can occur early in ownership; reported at mileages from 900 miles to 154,000 miles; some ongoing for months or years
Symptoms owners cite: Service battery charging system warning light illuminates; Battery drains within 30 minutes even with recent replacement; Battery voltage continues to decrease after replacement; Vehicle enters battery saver mode with incremental system shutdowns; Vehicle will not start or cranks very slowly; Charging system stops functioning while driving
Codes mentioned: Charging system related codes, Low voltage conditions detected in electrical components
Repairs/costs cited: Owners have replaced batteries multiple times (some 3+ replacements with no resolution), replaced alternators, and replaced generator control modules; one dealer quoted $4,000+ for parts replacement; some dealers unable to identify root cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 13V173000 addresses electrical system; manufacturer offered no remedy in several cases; some owners not included in recall VIN list despite similar symptoms
Engine fire due to electrical failure
Vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment while operating at low speed on a clear day. Fire department investigation concluded origin was electrical failure in the left front of engine compartment behind the headlight.
When: At 87,750 miles; vehicle properly maintained and no prior accidents
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell noticed first while driving; Smoke visible from left side under hood; Flames developed within minutes of burning smell onset
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss; fire department investigation determined electrical failure cause in left front engine compartment before battery area
Engine hydro-lock and internal damage
Engine becomes hydro-locked with metal shavings found in oil, leading to catastrophic internal failure requiring complete engine replacement. Triggered by service charging system warning and knocking sounds during driving.
When: At 40,000 miles; purchased at 31,000 miles in January 2015, failure in November 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knocking sound during driving; Service charging system light comes on; Engine shuts off and will not restart; Fluid present in sensor plugs; Metal shavings in oil
Codes mentioned: P0300 (spark plug malfunction on cylinder 3)
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced spark plugs, oil, oil filter, cleaned components; replacement spark plug and second tune-up did not resolve issue; ultimately required $10,000 engine replacement plus labor (total owner cost estimated $30,000); no warranty coverage available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM/Buick declined warranty assistance; vehicle had exceeded manufacturer warranty period
Stability control and traction control system failures
Service stability track and traction control warning lights illuminate, sometimes with loss of power or vehicle stalling. Lights may flash or appear without being able to identify fault codes, and failure persists even after repairs attempted.
When: Varies; reported at speeds from 30 mph to 65+ mph; some intermittent over months
Symptoms owners cite: Service stability track warning light illuminates (may flash); Traction control service needed message appears; Vehicle stalls when lights appear; Vehicle loses speed without warning; No fault codes found on diagnostic scan in some cases; Vehicle jerks when brakes are applied; Loss of power and inability to accelerate as intended
Codes mentioned: Stability control related codes, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) codes
Repairs/costs cited: Computer and wiring harness replacement attempted; generator control module replacement mentioned; multiple mechanics unable to duplicate or find root cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 11V40400 exists for Electronic Stability Control; failure persisted even after components replaced
Electrical wiring and conduit defects
Wiring conduit fails to meet firewall properly, leaving taped wires loose and exposed in engine bay. Loose wires taped together with inadequate protection over 8-12 inches, creating risk of wire failure, rubbing, or short circuits.
When: Found during inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Wiring conduit does not meet firewall (gap of approximately 2 inches); Taped wires left loose in engine compartment; Exposed wiring in cowl area without adequate protection
Repairs/costs cited: Consumer noted wires were improperly secured; potential to cause engine failure if wires rubbed together or failed
Battery and key ignition issues
Vehicle exhibits sudden complete electrical failure with all lights flashing and clicking, key stuck in ignition, and inability to control basic functions. Remote entry and OnStar non-functional. Single jump-start provides only 5 minutes of operation before complete power loss.
When: After 10 hours of parking; at 1 year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: All interior and exterior lights flashing; Remote entry non-functional; Key stuck in ignition; Overhead light and wipers cycling on and off with clicking; Trunk popping open independently; OnStar non-functional; Vehicle starts with jump but dies immediately when disconnected from power source; Cannot set parking brake
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to find anything wrong with vehicle; owner refused to return it until issue resolved
Generator/alternator control module failure (post-recall)
Vehicle fails with the same generator control module issue that was supposedly addressed under electrical recall, but manufacturer states VIN not covered or recalls closed despite persistent failures.
When: Recurring after initial repair; some owners report recurrence months or years after initial recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving; Service charging system warning light; Vehicle will not restart; Recurrence of same failure after repair attempt
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replaced on one vehicle but failure persisted; generator control module identified as defect; quoted at $7,525 for replacement part (described as aftermarket/unavailable); TSBs available for issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 13V173000 closed; dealers refused service under recall citing VIN not included; manufacturer provided no assistance on recurrence
Door lock and accessory control malfunctions
Doors lock and unlock independently or unintentionally during normal driving. All four doors may unlock when air conditioner fan control is activated. Locking/unlocking occurs erratically while vehicle is in motion.
When: Occurred 7 times in one reported case; ongoing issue in another
Symptoms owners cite: Doors lock and unlock independently while driving; All four doors unlock when AC fan control is activated; Locking occurs without driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failure in one case; no repairs made
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no action taken
Radio, navigation, and cluster display failures
Radio/navigation screen goes black, OnStar and emergency buttons become disabled, or instrument cluster loses communication with telematics control module. Speedometer, fuel gauge, and heat controls become inoperative.
When: At very low mileage (900 miles) and at higher mileage (8,000 miles, 30 mph driving)
Symptoms owners cite: Radio/navigation console screen becomes black; OnStar button and emergency buttons disabled; No speedometer displayed; Heat controls inoperative; Fuel gauge not functional; Screen displays 'Lost communication with telecommatics control module'; Radio and dash lights flicker off and on at 5-10 minute intervals
Repairs/costs cited: Radio replaced twice but failure recurred; cause could not be determined by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but offered no assistance
Tire pressure monitoring system false warnings
TPMS reports flat tires or service needed when tires are good. False alerts appear on instrument cluster creating safety concern, with repeated false indicators on same tire.
When: Multiple occurrences; at least 2 false alerts in one reported case
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure monitor service needed warning illuminates; Warning indicates specific tire (usually driver side rear) is flat; Physical inspection shows tires are fine
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to find fault codes
Burning smell and electrical odor issues
Owners report burning plastic or burning wire smell during normal driving operation, sometimes accompanied by battery drain or electrical malfunctions. Smell occurs intermittently from various locations in vehicle.
When: Various times during ownership; one case at 87,750 miles (ended in fire)
Symptoms owners cite: Burning plastic smell from back of vehicle; Burning wire smell detected; Sometimes accompanied by battery drain or electrical failure
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The charging system in my vehicle is no longer working. There's been a recall done for the charging system. It was fixed back in 2013 before long before I bought the vehicle. It's only been nine years since it's been fixed and now it's not working again. I'd like this matter to be looked into as I believe it's faulty at no fault of my own.
Since I purchased the car in june, 2012, there have been three (3) incidents where there was a gradual loss of battery charge, the vehicle would not start, and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light comes on. The most recent incident was this past saturday, on november 16, 2013. My car is also equipped with e-assist. I do not know if there is a problem with the generator control…
2012 Buick lacrosse. Consumer writes in regards to wiring conduit issues. *smd the consumer stated the wiring conduit failed to meet the firewall at approximately two inches. Which left the taped wires loose. As he looked through the cowl screen, the wires were taped to where the wires entered the body. The tapes wires appeared to have been taped 8-12 inches, which could have caused engine…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Buick lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the low battery service warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon his own inspection, he attached the vehicle to a code reader and no defects were discovered. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 13v173000 (electrical system) which he…
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 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 electrical problem on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 45 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 27 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 34,800 and 122,000 miles, with the median around 79,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,800; a quarter make it past 122,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2012/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.