This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Buick LaCrosse electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Buick LaCrosse have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 LaCrosse | 12 |
| 2015 LaCrosse | 7 |
| 2017 LaCrosse | 8 |
| 2018 LaCrosse (this page) | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 electrical complaints filed for the 2018 Buick LaCrosse, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
Of the 13 model years of Buick LaCrosse we track for electrical problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P3055 Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the key fob failed to open the doors and the vehicle was unable to be restarted. The failure had recurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the batteries in the key fob were replaced but the failure persisted. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet…
I received a notice from gm that my vehicle with the electrical connection to the accelerator pedal which could cause a a reduced power and acceleration condition. However, this is not a recall and I should not seek a repair until I have evidence that my vehicle has this problem. This sounds like a serious safety risk to me. If this condition occurs when I am merging into traffic on an…
2018 Buick lacrosse. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle shutting off suddenly. *ld the consumer stated the battery was replaced, but the failure recurred. The dealer updated the software , but could not guarantee the failure would not recur. *js
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 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 electrical problem on the 2018 Buick LaCrosse?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 100,000 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2018/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.