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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-BUICK-LACROSSE NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2013 · Buick

Buick LaCrosse problems

127 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

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

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 LaCrosse?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
34 reports · fails ~57,405 mi · avg $850
severe
suspension
27 reports · fails ~69,204 mi · avg $900
moderate
steering
24 reports · fails ~63,550 mi · avg $700
moderate
powertrain
9 reports · fails ~42,439 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
8 reports · fails ~71,151 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
4 reports · fails ~4,900 mi · avg $1,100
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 LaCrosse's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 LaCrosse?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 LaCrosse · suspension
I purchased the vehicle in 07/2021 through the Drive time Dealership. The first concern is that as you go over the agreement the cost of the vehicle is well over the actual blue book value which $24,000 plus. But then there is the blinded words which cover the interest rate and…
2013 LaCrosse · electrical
The climate control systems have stopped working. The temperature is locked to the last set temperature and blower zone (blowing lightly on feet only). It is available for inspection upon request. This is a significant safety issue as the climate control panel will not power…
2013 LaCrosse · electrical
Complete blackout of monitor (navigation screen) including rear view camera while while driving on city streets and highways and happened once during startup of vehicle. Sometimes before blackout vertical lines appear. Estimated time of blackout has lasted more than one minute…
12/06/2017 · at 36,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #11052853.0 · see electrical pattern →
2013 LaCrosse · steering
Power Steering Went out while I was on the Highway. It was all of a sudden, and I had been driving on the highway for at least 2 hours. This caused my steering to be not as controlled, and could have caused a wreck if driving by a less advance and experienced driver. The only…
View all 127 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Buick LaCrosse? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

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

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 13V173000 May 6, 2013

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist

If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

Fix: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 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.

Should you avoid the 2013 Buick LaCrosse?

The 2013 Buick LaCrosse is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,000–74,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Buick LaCrosse?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 34 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,405 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 57,405 miles. 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 2013 Buick LaCrosse?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 127 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 are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Buick/LaCrosse. 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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