Menu

2011 Buick LacrosseProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 169 owner complaints about the 2011 Buick Lacrosse, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 21V00F000 the manufacturer reports only 50% of affected cars repaired.

2011 Buick Lacrosse
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Lacrosse median · #7 of 14 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 50%Owner complaints16926 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage55kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 14, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 Buick Lacrosse has problems

169 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system321
Engine302
Suspension273
Power train192
Service brakes174
Visibility/wiper140
Steering124
Air bags117
Seats91
16 other systems608

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2011 Buick Lacrosse recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

50%repaired · 2024 Q3

Suspension: rear

Recall 21V00F000 · Dec 22, 2021 · 4,271 vehicles · 2,136 repaired

Risk. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

58%repaired · 2024 Q2

Suspension: rear

Recall 20V-764 · Dec 21, 2020 · 220,006 vehicles · 127,144 repaired

Risk. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

75%repaired · 2016 Q1

Front assembly: power adjust

Recall 14V-447 · Jul 23, 2014 · 414,333 vehicles · 312,762 repaired

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Windshield: electrical heating element

Recall 11V-149 · Mar 4, 2011 · 10,179 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

55kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 25 electrical system complaints. 72% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
7under 30k miles18under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2011 vs. every other Lacrosse year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Lacrosse median. How we score

'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2011 Buick Lacrosse safety ratings

2011 Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

★★★★★Overall rating
2011 Buick Lacrosse frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crash★★★★★
2011 Buick Lacrosse side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrier★★★★★
2011 Buick Lacrosse side pole test, NHTSA
Side pole★★★★★
  • Rollover: 4 stars (11.8% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Lacrosse owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact purchased a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 143,939 and at the time of registration, it was…
Complaint 11750433 · Jul 14, 2026 · 231,952 miles
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation. The issue first occurred in January 2026. The vehicle was later towed for repair in February 2026, and I was told the issue had been…
Complaint 11731073 · Apr 14, 2026
#07-06-04-019F: Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL} Illuminated, OTC Pl':1.~J with Reduced Engine Power (Repair Instrument Panel (IP) to Body Harness Connector). Lost power on I-84 and had to cross over the right lane because I had no power, barely missing a rear end collision.
Complaint 11568681 · Jan 30, 2024

Own a 2011 Lacrosse?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.