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 ↗2016 Buick LaCrosse steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 LaCrosse | 24 |
| 2013 LaCrosse | 24 |
| 2014 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2015 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2016 LaCrosse (this page) | 12 |
What stands out
Steering accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
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 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 ↗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
Owners of 2016 Buick LaCrosse models describe sudden, total loss of power steering while driving at speeds ranging from low-speed parking maneuvers to 70 mph highway driving. The Power Steering Failure or Service Power Steering warning light illuminates at the moment power steering quits. Some report the steering wheel locks solid, becoming impossible to turn. A few owners note the steering wheel becomes extremely hard to turn rather than locked.
The failure pattern is inconsistent: some incidents resolve after restarting the vehicle; others persist until the vehicle is towed to a dealer. One owner reports the failure recurred after dealer software updates. A subset of owners report the problem occurs specifically during rainy or snowy conditions and resolves once weather improves, then repeats on subsequent wet-weather drives.
Mileage at failure ranges from 11,000 to 106,000 miles. Owners consistently mention a NHTSA recall (Campaign 17V116000) but state their vehicle VINs were excluded despite having identical symptoms. Repair estimates cited include $4,000 for motor and rack-and-pinion replacement. Several owners report multiple dealer visits where no fault codes were found, even when the problem was actively occurring.
Same Buick LaCrosse steering reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering control module (PSCM) failure
Complete loss of power steering functionality accompanied by 'Power Steering Failure' or 'Service Power Steering' warning light. Owners report sudden total loss of power steering while driving at highway and city speeds. Vehicle regains steering after restart or module reprogramming.
When: Between 23,000 and 106,000 miles; incidents reported across various conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering functionality; Power Steering Failure or Service Power Steering warning light illuminated; Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn; Steering wheel locks up while driving
Codes mentioned: 19-NA-182
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reprogrammed or updated Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) software. One owner reported $4,000 estimate for replacement of electric gear power steering motor and rack-and-pinion assembly. TSB referenced by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 17V116000 (Steering) referenced; owner states vehicle year not included in campaign. Recall reportedly covered only 2,000 vehicles of same model/year. Owner reports vehicle VIN excluded from recall. Some dealers referred owners to NHTSA Hotline.
Intermittent power steering loss in wet weather
Power steering functionality intermittently fails during rainy or snowy conditions, then restores once weather improves. Owners report multiple occurrences with no permanent failure detected by technicians.
When: 81,000 miles reported; weather-dependent occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Check Power Steering warning light illuminates in rain or snow; Power steering temporarily unavailable during wet conditions; Power steering function restored after rain/snow stops
Codes mentioned: 19-NA-182
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostic reported no failure found. Code could be reset per dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer offered no assistance; referred owner to NHTSA Hotline
Recurrent power steering loss despite module software updates
Power steering fails completely and returns momentarily after restart or software update, but failure recurs. Multiple repair attempts with software update ineffective at permanent resolution.
When: 106,000 miles reported at recurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering while driving at 35 MPH; Check engine warning light illuminated; Failure recurs after software update
Repairs/costs cited: PSCM software update performed but failure recurred. Dealer subsequently advised replacement of entire electric power steering assembly required; repair not completed by reporting date.
Steering wheel lock-up during driving
Steering wheel locks or becomes severely restricted while vehicle is in motion, creating immediate collision hazard. Occurs at low speeds (parking maneuvers) and while turning on streets.
When: Between 11,000 and 45 MPH driving speeds reported
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locks while driving; Steering wheel extremely hard to turn; Vehicle sways left and right; Power Steering Failure message displayed
Repairs/costs cited: PSCM software update performed in one case. No codes found in two separate dealer visits for lock-up issue.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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 Power Steering Motor needs to be replaced along the whole Rack and Pinion that it's attached to has to be replaced…
While navigating a curve, my power steering quit, nearly causing me to hit an oncoming car in the opposite lane. I stop and search the car for issues but found none. The care returned to normal steering and two days later, I had a vehicle pull out in front of me, while quickly avoiding the other car, my power steering quit working again. Luckily, I was able to overcome the steering but it…
Had steering trouble with your 2016 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 2016 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 43,352 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/2016/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.