The Used Car Index

2012 Buick Lacrosse problems

NHTSA lists 206 complaints for the 2012 Buick Lacrosse, 10 of them mention a crash and 4 mention a fire. 5 complaints mention an injury, with 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BUICK LACROSSE.

At a glance

Complaints
206
With crash
10
With fire
4
With injury (complaints)
5
Injuries
5
Deaths
0
Recalls
5
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
414,333
Investigations
2
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
1,831

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6230.1%
ENGINE4622.3%
SUSPENSION3115.0%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2512.1%
POWER TRAIN2411.7%
STEERING2411.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER188.7%
SERVICE BRAKES167.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL125.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM83.9%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)CONTROL MODULE1
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE1
EQUIPMENTELECTRICAL1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESTAILGATE1
POWER TRAINDRIVELINE1
SEATSFRONT ASSEMBLY1
SUSPENSIONFRONT1
SUSPENSIONREAR1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
loss of control5336.8%0.85
electrical electronic3826.4%0.80
mechanical failure1812.5%0.83
unclear128.3%0.95
restraint or airbag64.2%0.88
visibility or lighting64.2%0.86
noise or comfort42.8%0.93
structural or corrosion42.8%0.83
fluid or fuel leak21.4%0.85
fire or overheating10.7%0.58
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate8659.7%0.81
low3826.4%0.69
high1812.5%0.79
none21.4%0.67

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 144 tagged complaints of 206 complaints (69.9%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

5 recalls.

21V00F000

Date: 2021-12-22. Systems: SUSPENSION.

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 V (excerpt)

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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 recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V764000

Date: 2020-12-21. Systems: SUSPENSION.

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 V (excerpt)

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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 notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V447000

Date: 2014-07-23. Systems: SEATS.

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 s (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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 at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

13V173000

Date: 2013-05-06. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.

Consequence: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.

Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

11V404000

Date: 2011-08-03. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC).

Defect: GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BUICK LACROSSE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 9, 2011, THROUGH JULY 2, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS (ESC)." THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM HAS AN INCORRECT CALIBRATION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO NOT PROPERLY DETECT IF A SENSOR WERE TO MALFUNCTION (excerpt)

Consequence: THE IMPROPER DIAGNOSING MAY CAUSE THE ESC TO FALSELY ACTIVATE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN CHANGES IN VEHICLE HANDLING AND DECELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE'S DESIRED PATH OF TRAVEL AND DESIRED VEHICLE SPEED, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. (excerpt)

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 investigations; 0 open.

AQ14001

Opened: 2014-05-02. Closed: 2016-05-22.

Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall

NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

RQ13003

Opened: 2013-07-05. Closed: 2014-07-22.

Generator Control Module Fires

On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the Generator Control Module (GCM) in certa

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

1,831 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT727
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM464
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING216
ENGINE158
POWER TRAIN122
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY113
WHEELS67
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE64

11037253

Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11032947

Date: 2026-05-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. If it is not an origi

11030974

Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

11030091

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11030092

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

11027601

Date: 2026-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11025755

Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customera s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If

11023091

Date: 2025-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

11024324

Date: 2025-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides Lithium-Ion battery Exchange Process and Transaction Submission information.

11022775

Date: 2025-08-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Provide info on that parts restriction ending for the rear diff clutch control 19435910

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
LACROSSE206

Same model, other years

All model years | All Buick models

Other Buick models, 2012

Sources

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