This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Buick LaCrosse powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Buick LaCrosse have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 52,894 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 LaCrosse | 5 |
| 2009 LaCrosse | 3 |
| 2010 LaCrosse | 15 |
| 2011 LaCrosse | 18 |
| 2012 LaCrosse (this page) | 18 |
| 2013 LaCrosse | 9 |
| 2014 LaCrosse | 4 |
| 2016 LaCrosse | 6 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 18 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 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 12 model years of Buick LaCrosse we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 18.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 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 powertrain 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 explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 LaCrosse's powertrain generates serious safety complaints across multiple failure modes. Transmission problems dominate: owners describe loss of motive power while driving, vehicles that won't engage forward or reverse gears, speed capped at 33 mph, and violent jerking at 30 mph that continues for years unfixed. Several owners report transmission replacement that doesn't solve the problem. Serpentine belt detachment causes sudden loss of power steering and engine power; one owner had the belt replaced twice before final detachment at 141,000 miles. GM issued a March 2012 bulletin for faulty belts but refused warranty coverage to one owner who purchased after the September 2012 cutoff.
The pushbutton start design allows owners to shut the engine off while the car is in Drive, Reverse, or Neutral—with no braking effect. Two owners report vehicles rolling away and hitting other cars or structures. Unintended acceleration occurs going downhill or uphill, and transmission downshifts trigger engine over-revving at 65+ mph while door locks cycle on and off. Engine stalls recur even after transmission control module replacement and oil changes. On eAssist models, the battery exploded in one car and hybrid system components failed, killing all electrical power including steering and brakes. Dealerships consistently report no stored codes and inability to reproduce or diagnose these faults.
Same Buick LaCrosse powertrain reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission fails to engage or loss of motive power
Transmission stops working, vehicle loses propulsion, or transmission won't move vehicle forward or in reverse despite being shifted. Some owners report transmission becoming unresponsive on busy roads or highways; one owner experienced loss of power downhill with tachometer reading but no acceleration.
When: Between 5 months and 141,000 miles; varies across complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls or loses power to move; Transmission won't engage forward or reverse despite shifter input; Vehicle speed capped at 33 mph; Loss of propulsion while driving downhill; Transmission won't respond despite shift attempts
Codes mentioned: P062F
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement; serpentine belt and tensioner replacement ($650+ labor and parts cited); transmission control module replacement mentioned in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Battery recall issued May (narrative #2 references recall for battery fire risk); one owner reported 100K mile powertrain warranty but GM refused coverage citing part purchase date after bulletin period
Serpentine belt failure and detachment
Serpentine belt detaches or fails, causing sudden loss of power steering and engine power. Owner reports belt replaced twice but failure recurred. One complaint references March 2012 bulletin about faulty serpentine belts that should have been replaced by September 2012.
When: Approximately 141,000 miles in one case; August 2015 in another; varies
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering while driving at highway speed; Loss of engine power; Belt detachment
Repairs/costs cited: Serpentine belt and tensioner replacement; dealership quoted over $650 plus rental car costs; belt had been replaced twice previously before final detachment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: March 2012 TSB issued for faulty serpentine belts (tensile/copper material); GM refused warranty coverage to owner who purchased vehicle November 2012, after bulletin cutoff date of September 2012
Transmission jerking and rough shifting around 30 mph
Transmission lurches, jerks, or shifts roughly when decelerating through 30-40 mph range. Occurs both during deceleration and braking. Multiple owners report similar patterns; dealerships cannot reproduce or fix the issue despite multiple visits.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; one owner reports ongoing for two years
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission lurches when vehicle reaches 30 mph; Jerking during deceleration from 50-40 mph to 30-20 mph; Rough, uncomfortable ride quality; Jerking when applying brakes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership cannot identify cause or repair; no parts replacement documented in complaints
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denies defect can be fixed
Unintended acceleration and transmission downshift
Vehicle accelerates on its own when driver releases gas pedal, particularly downhill or uphill. Related incidents of transmission downshifting unexpectedly, causing engine over-revving and high RPMs. In one case, door locks cycle in sync with downshift event.
When: Ongoing since purchase in October 2012 in one case; highway driving at 65+ mph in others
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without pedal input when going downhill or uphill; Transmission downshifts unexpectedly; Engine RPMs increase suddenly; Service Power Steering warning light illuminates; Door locks unlock and lock repeatedly; Engine over-revving
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; dealership unable to diagnose due to no stored codes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership states no code dropped in computer and cannot reproduce during test drive; unable to assist
Vehicle rolls away when parked
Vehicle rolls away while parked despite engine being off. In one case, owner turned off engine while vehicle was in Drive instead of Park due to pushbutton start design that allows engine shutdown in any gear. Vehicle rolled downhill slope and nearly hit another vehicle. In two other cases, vehicle rolled without explanation while parked.
When: 9,000 miles and 25,000 miles in documented cases; one incident timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls away from parked position; Vehicle hits nearby vehicles or structures; No braking effect when engine off in non-Park gear
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs performed in some cases but details not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed this design anomaly applies to all 2012 LaCrosse vehicles; no engineering change or safety alert issued according to owner
Engine stalling while driving
Engine shuts off unexpectedly while vehicle is in motion or stopped. Stalls recur even after repair attempts. In one case, vehicle requires jump-start to restart after stalling.
When: Varies; one owner reports 3 stalls before repair, then 2 more after transmission control module fix and oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off unexpectedly; Engine stalls at traffic lights or in traffic; Check engine light illuminates; Traction control light illuminates; Vehicle won't restart without jump-start; Automatic restart occurs in some instances
Codes mentioned: P062F
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission control module replaced in one case; oil change performed; root cause remains unidentified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to identify issue after multiple visits and repairs
Loss of power steering
Power steering fails or locks up suddenly while driving, creating hazardous steering condition. In one case with eAssist system, multiple electrical events occur simultaneously (door lock cycling, downshift, power steering warning).
When: Approximately 141,000 miles in one serpentine belt case; highway speeds in others; 53,000 miles in eAssist case
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering; Power steering locks up; Service Power Steering warning light illuminates; Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn (one owner reported needing physical fitness to steer); Occurs at highway speeds (60-65 mph)
Repairs/costs cited: Serpentine belt replacement resolved one case; eAssist case unresolved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to diagnose eAssist-related power steering loss after 3 visits (no stored codes)
Battery explosion and hybrid system failure (eAssist models)
Battery exploded in front of vehicle and hybrid assist system components failed simultaneously, resulting in complete loss of electrical power. One owner reports generator control module and other hybrid components failed.
When: Not specified in complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Battery explosion; Loss of power steering; Loss of braking; Loss of power throughout vehicle; Hazard lights inoperative; Generator control module failure; Hybrid assist system failure
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement (implied); other component repairs not detailed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Battery recall issued (narrative #2); narrative #7 states main battery exploded with no mention of recall action
Transmission violent jerking and repeated failure after repair
Transmission fails and is replaced, but jerking/violent forward lurching recurs immediately after repair at very low mileage. Vehicle jerks violently when brakes applied at stop.
When: Approximately 350 miles (immediately after purchase or early ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking forward without warning; Jerking recurs after transmission replacement; Occurs at low speeds (31 mph braking)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced but failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but no further action documented
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My car was moving and cut off on me and then automatically restarted while driving. The power steering locked up. This is been a going on for a few days now. Sometimes I restart it myself sometimes it automatically restarts. Engine light is on for a day and then goes off and comes back on again.
Car shut off while in stopping position. Happen 3 times before supposed problem was fixed and then two more time after oil change and transmission control module fixed. Dealership does not know what the issue. Thankful each time I was not driving on interstate.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 9,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 52,894. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.