Buick LaCrosse problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 45 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
At 25 - 30 MPH and at 45 - 50 MPH the car shakes violently. I took it to the dealership for a diagnostic. They said they knew exactly what it was. I need a new lower and upper transmission. That is the recommended fix. That is something that happens to Chevy transmissions…
This is to amend complaint number 11051891. Cause of unintended acceleration was aftermarket floor mat installed by the Buick dealer! Floor mat has diagonal grooves molded into the rubber in exactly the worst spot such that the corner of accelerator pedal catches in the groove…
I lost power steering while driving 70 mph on a two-lane highway in Wyoming. There were no warnings before the incident, but a Service Power Steering light came on at the same time it quit working. One mechanic shop did a diagnosis on the car. I was told that the Electric Gear…
While driving at highway speeds (65+ MPH) the information center will display 'reduced engine power' and car will down shift and only reach 45 MPH. Causing close to rear-end crash. You have to leave the highway traffic immediately and turn off engine. Re-start engine and…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Buick LaCrosse?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Buick LaCrosse does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. 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 2016 Buick LaCrosse?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 12 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 43,352 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 43,352 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 2016 Buick LaCrosse?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 45 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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.