This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Buick LaCrosse steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Buick LaCrosse have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 58,531 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 LaCrosse | 17 |
| 2011 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2012 LaCrosse | 24 |
| 2013 LaCrosse | 24 |
| 2014 LaCrosse (this page) | 12 |
| 2015 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2016 LaCrosse | 12 |
When does it fail?
Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2014 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
Steering accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 steering 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 service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Twelve owners of 2014 Buick LaCrosse vehicles report sudden loss of electrical power steering assist, typically at highway speeds between 40,000 and 79,500 miles. In most cases, the steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn, often while the driver is going 55–75 mph. A "Service Power Steering" or "Power steering assist needs service" warning message appears on the dashboard, usually seconds before the failure occurs.
Several owners also report that ABS and Stabilitrak failures happen at the same time as the steering loss, along with traction control lights, suggesting a shared electrical or control module problem. One owner experienced his steering wheel pop up to the dashboard and become inoperable. Another had the steering seize up while backing out of the driveway.
Repair attempts include reprogramming the power steering module—which has failed to resolve the issue in at least two cases—or complete replacement of the power steering housing and rack assembly. One dealership quoted $3,400 for repairs. Owners acknowledge GM recalls on similar steering issues for other models but note that not all LaCrosse failures appear in official recall databases.
Same Buick LaCrosse steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Electrical Power Steering System Failure
Complete loss of power steering assist while driving, often at highway speeds. Steering wheel becomes extremely difficult or impossible to turn. The electrical connection to the steering system is lost, leaving drivers with only mechanical steering effort.
When: Mileage range 40,000–79,535 miles; failures occur suddenly during normal driving, often at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist; Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn or inoperable; "Service Power Steering" or "Power steering assist needs service" warning message displayed; "Steering failure" visual and audible alarm; Difficulty steering in either direction
Codes mentioned: Power steering module fault, Electronic power steering rack failure, Loss of electrical power to steering system
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced or reprogrammed power steering module; some required complete power steering housing and gear replacement. One owner reported dealership quoted $3,400 for repairs.
Steering Wheel Lockup
Steering becomes stiff and can lock in position while parked or during low-speed operation. The steering wheel freezes and will not move, making the vehicle uncontrollable at speed.
When: Reported at 50,300 miles and 67,000+ miles; one incident while backing out of driveway at low speed
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes stiff while driving; Steering wheel locks or seizes; "Power steering issue - contact service" warning message; ABS and Service Steering warning indicators illuminated
Codes mentioned: Electronic power steering rack failure
Repairs/costs cited: At least one vehicle awaiting dealer diagnosis and repair
Simultaneous Power Steering and Stability Control Failures
Power steering failure occurs alongside ABS, Stabilitrak, and traction control system failures, suggesting a shared electrical or control module issue. Loss of power steering combined with stability control loss creates severe handling hazard.
When: Multiple incidents reported at highway speeds across the 40,000–79,500 mile range
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure coincides with Stabilitrak failure; Service Power Steering and Service Stabilitrak messages displayed simultaneously; ABS light illuminated; Traction control light illuminated; Vehicle exhibits back-and-forth floating motion (loss of stability control)
Codes mentioned: Passenger side rear wheel sensor fault (reported in one case), Power steering module fault, Stabilitrak system fault
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported passenger side rear wheel sensor replacement was required along with steering repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner referenced recalls on other GM products (Cadillac) for similar steering issues and noted multiple unreported instances on LaCrosse forums
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Bought car new. Original goodyear eagle ls2 tires with 5 belted radial including 2 steel belts. 3000 miles on car. Proper inflation. Speed 40 MPH state road divided highway night, not turning. Heard rumbling high pitch sounds which I first thought was transmission, but was anti skid/ABS computer assisted braking. Car pulled sharply right, instrument panel showed right tire -0- PSI. Complete tire…
I was on the highway on the interior lane at 75 MPH when all the sudden I got a audible and visual alarm indicating steering failure. I then got the same for stabiltrak failure. The steering assist was obviously gone immediately and the car started floating back and forth. I had my wife and 92 year old mother-in -law with me and it was misting heavily so I carefully continued to drive at a…
Power steering went out while on the freeway, check power steering light came on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Buick lacrosse. While the contact's wife was backing out of the driveway, the steering seized, and the ABS and service steering warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. The VIN was unknown.
Had steering trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 49,660 and 79,535 miles, with the median around 58,531. A quarter of owners report trouble before 49,660; a quarter make it past 79,535. 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/2014/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.