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 ↗2015 Buick LaCrosse steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Buick LaCrosse have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2012 LaCrosse | 24 |
| 2013 LaCrosse | 24 |
| 2014 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2015 LaCrosse (this page) | 12 |
| 2016 LaCrosse | 12 |
When does it fail?
Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2015 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2015 Buick LaCrosse report sudden, often complete loss of power steering while driving. These failures happen across a broad mileage range—from as low as 8,000 miles to 123,900 miles—and frequently occur at highway speeds (45–70 mph), forcing owners to manually wrestle the wheel toward an exit or shoulder.
A recurring pattern shows power steering loss paired with a "Service Power Steering" warning message and sometimes a battery warning light. Some failures reverse themselves after restarting the engine; others persist. One owner brought the car to a dealership six times in a single year with the same complaint; the dealer eventually replaced the hybrid battery, but the steering failed again nine days later. That same dealer subsequently reported difficulty diagnosing a parasitic battery drain after two weeks of work.
In one case, an independent shop and a Buick dealership both identified a failed electronic steering assembly but found the replacement part on backorder with no known availability across North America. One owner also reported broader electrical gremlins—headlights blowing, windshield wipers dead, radio dropout, dim or black dashboard, hard starting—suggesting a possible upstream power-supply fault affecting multiple systems.
Dealership test drives frequently yield no diagnosis or reproduction of the fault, leaving owners with undriveable vehicles and no clear path to repair.
Same Buick LaCrosse steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss at highway speeds
Electronic power steering system fails completely while driving, usually at highway speeds (45–70 mph). Steering wheel becomes extremely stiff and difficult or impossible to turn. Often accompanied by battery warning light, service power steering message, or drive-with-care alert on instrument cluster.
When: Various mileage: 8,000 to 123,900 miles; failures range from early ownership to higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes stiff, difficult, or impossible to turn; Battery light illuminates; Service Power Steering warning message displays; Drive with Care warning message displays; Difficulty performing quick steering maneuvers at speed
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealership diagnosed failed electronic steering assembly with new part number; part availability issue noted across North America with unknown ETA. Another owner's hybrid battery was replaced after 6–7 dealership visits, but power steering failure resumed after 9 days.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports dealership blamed seat position sensor or airbag error; manufacturer has not issued recalls or technical service bulletins mentioned in narratives. Emergency backorder requests filed for replacement electronic steering assembly.
Intermittent power steering failure and recovery
Power steering fails intermittently during driving but returns after engine restart or short time period. Vehicle can be steered with difficulty; once restarted, system operates normally until next failure event.
When: Mileage 69,100 to unknown; failures occur randomly during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering suddenly stops working mid-drive; Service Power Steering warning message illuminates; Steering wheel becomes stiff but can be manually forced; Power steering restores after engine restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed test drive but found no issues. No repairs completed.
Power steering loss coupled with electrical system failure
Power steering failure occurs alongside broader electrical system problems including battery drain, headlight failures, dashboard dimming, windshield wiper malfunction, and radio dropout. Suggests underlying power supply or charging system fault affecting multiple vehicle systems.
When: Unknown specific mileage; owner reports recent battery replacement prior to steering failure
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering loss; Difficulty turning steering wheel; Headlights blowing repeatedly; Windshield wipers non-functional; Radio intermittent; Engine starting issues (stalling, hesitation with push-button start); Dashboard display dimming or going completely black while driving; Difficulty seeing gauges
Repairs/costs cited: Recent battery replacement did not resolve power steering issue; dealership believes parasitic battery drain is present but cannot identify root cause after extended diagnostic time.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership suspects parasitic draw on battery; vehicle has been at dealership for 2 weeks with no resolution identified.
Steering lock-up and lane control loss
Steering wheel locks up temporarily or vehicle veers into adjacent lanes without driver input. Indicates potential loss of power assist or electronic steering control at low to moderate speeds.
When: Mileage 15,000; also reported at approximately 25 mph parking maneuver and low-speed (5 mph) operation
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks up momentarily; Vehicle veers into adjacent lane independently; Increased difficulty controlling vehicle direction; Steering becomes very stiff and hard to turn
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; one case mentions prior crash history with unknown repair details.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified in one case; no response documented in narratives.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Buick lacrosse. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the warning chime suddenly activated and the power steering malfunctioned. The steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 8,000. Updated…
Power steering went out while driving roughy 45/50 mph. Unknown reason why it went out.
I was driving on the highway at approximately 70 miles an hour when my power steering went out. With great difficulty I was able to move across lanes and get to an exit. I drove to the nearest Buick dealer who said they were too backed up to help. While at the Buick dealer I turned the engine off. When I turned the engine back on, the power steering was working again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Buick lacrosse. The contact stated that while parking her vehicle at a low rate of speed, the power steering drive with care and service brake assist warning messages appeared on the instrument panel. The steering wheel became stiff and difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that since the vehicle…
While driving at approximately 55 mph, my power steering went out (at first I thought I had blown a tire). It became almost impossible to perform any quick/reactionary steering changes. I put on my hazards and drove to the dealership and then for a second opinion with my local trusted mechanic. Both advised the electronic steering assembly went bad, that there is a new part #, indicative of a…
My wife was driving and went to turn the vehicle and the steering locked up momentarily. She drove directly home a block away and pulled into the garage. When attempting to take the car for service it would not turn in either direction.
Had steering trouble with your 2015 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 2015 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?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 61,736 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2015/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.