2011 BUICK LACROSSE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
241
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
68
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE
The 2011 BUICK LACROSSE has received a total of 241 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SUSPENSION:REAR, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST. 68 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (29 complaints), Electrical System (25 complaints), and Suspension (25 complaints).
Recalls for the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE, potentially affecting up to 648,789 vehicles.
Recall 21V00F000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 4,271 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear...
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this...
View full details →Recall 20V764000 — SUSPENSION:REAR
| 220,006 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear...
Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third...
View full details →Recall 14V447000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
| 414,333 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the...
Consequence: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service...
View full details →Recall 11V149000 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
| 10,179 vehicles affected
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE AND CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS". ON THESE VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL (ECC) MODULE MAY DISABLE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM...
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE
241 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to use the defroster, the HVAC system was not working properly, and paper towels were used to wipe the inside and outside windshield. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH or while slowing down to come to a stop, there was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to have the HVAC system reprogrammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the HVAC system could not be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to have the abnormal sound coming from the rear end diagnosed. The contact researched online and related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V149000 (Visibility) and 20V764000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to use the defroster, the HVAC system was not working properly, and paper towels were used to wipe the inside and outside windshield. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH or while slowing down to come to a stop, there was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to have the HVAC system reprogrammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the HVAC system could not be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to have the abnormal sound coming from the rear end diagnosed. The contact researched online and related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V149000 (Visibility) and 20V764000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car I have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car
When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car I have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car
When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car I have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car
Safety Rating for the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE
The 2011 BUICK LACROSSE received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE
General Motors, LLC has issued 68 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
05-06-04-022V — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information on the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Licensed Brands and the TOP TIER Diesel Fuel Licensed Brands that are recommended for use in all GM vehicles and the TOP TIER FUELS website URL.
PIP5226D — EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller rockers to inspect them. Only replace the roller rocker that is missing needle bearings. Be sure to clean the oil drains to retrieve the needle bearings....
PIP5528E — ENGINE
This Preliminary information communicates the repair recommendations for misfire and DTC's immediately following HFV6 re-manufactured engines replacement.
PIC5656F — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have driver and passenger temperatures settings are displayed in Celsius or the outside ambient temperature is missing from the radio / Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning display. Technician will need to use a scan tool to check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes...
PIT5119E — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the keyless entry is inoperative. Technician should inspect the ignition key cylinder door sticks in the up position. If the door is found open do not replace the ignition key cylinder, use a Lubriplate type of lubrication spray...
PI0269B — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
This preliminary bulletin provides a procedure to replace the IMS if the code can not be reset, with DTC P182E is set.
PIC5656E — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have driver and passenger temperatures settings are displayed in Celsius or the outside ambient temperature is missing from the radio / Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning display. Technician will need to use a scan tool to check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes...
00-03-10-006L — WHEELS:RIM
This informational bulletin provides additional information to the technician on how to check for Tire Radial Force Variations and the difference between balancing a flange and flangeless rim.
PIC5668A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that it is difficult to turn the key to the lock/off position if the key is rotated slowly. Technician will need to verify that fuse F22DA is not open.
PIC5692B — SERVICE BRAKES
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
Showing 10 of 68 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2011 BUICK LACROSSE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BUICK LACROSSE
- 2006 BUICK LACROSSE — 383 complaints
- 2007 BUICK LACROSSE — 326 complaints
- 2008 BUICK LACROSSE — 343 complaints
- 2009 BUICK LACROSSE — 146 complaints
- 2010 BUICK LACROSSE — 275 complaints
- 2011 BUICK LACROSSE (current)
- 2012 BUICK LACROSSE — 297 complaints
- 2013 BUICK LACROSSE — 196 complaints
- 2014 BUICK LACROSSE — 89 complaints
- 2015 BUICK LACROSSE — 54 complaints
- 2016 BUICK LACROSSE — 54 complaints
Other BUICK Models
- BUICK LESABRE — 4,864 total complaints
- BUICK REGAL — 4,444 total complaints
- BUICK ENCLAVE — 3,194 total complaints
- BUICK CENTURY — 2,393 total complaints
- BUICK PARK AVENUE — 1,880 total complaints
- BUICK RENDEZVOUS — 1,795 total complaints
- BUICK LUCERNE — 1,322 total complaints
- BUICK ENCORE — 846 total complaints