Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 Buick Lacrosse Eassist problems
Owners filed 124 complaints about the 2013 Buick Lacrosse Eassist with NHTSA between Feb 2013 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (50).
Complaints
124
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system50
- Engine29
- Suspension27
- Steering22
- Power train11
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Air bags4
- Service brakes4
- Structure4
- Visibility/wiper3
- Seats3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Wheels2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
9
5
3
8
15
11
12
7
29
6
5
6
8
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 8 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
50 reports3 fires
“Well the belt tensioner and the hybrid motor Drive Motor Performance and Hybrid Power train Control Module Requested MIL Illumination Yes not just any mechanic can work on the car because of the hybrid system is to much voltage And the check engine light came on the car”
Engine
29 reports
“The bolt that secures the Serpentine belt tensioner unit to the motor block has repeatedly snapped apart leaving the tensioner unit to dangle from the block. Not secured, which causes the belt to dislodge or break (both have happened) the spring is left to flail about as is the tensioner unit since it is no longer connected to the engine block. Not to say where the other half of the bolt could end up. So far each time it snaps in half the other half remains in the block. But the unit is no longer secured to the block. While driving when this occurs makes controling the vehichle unsafe. It loses power and or surges at will. A hope to make it to the side of the road without crashing or causing a crash is an issue. I cannot afford a repair establishment, a family member does my repairs. ... There has been no other inspection of the issue. As for warning lights. No. Everything is fine until the unit is jiggled away from the block after the bolt snaps in half. The force of the tensioner unit action (im assuming) is too much for the bolt - causing it to snap in two. It has occurred 2 times the second was the beginning of Feb 2025 and the first about 9 to 10 months…”
Suspension
27 reports1 crash
“On May 7th, I was informed the cause of load roaring noise was due to the failure of 2 front wheel bearing. After the work was completed I was informed both rear wheel bearings would need to be replaced. Four wheel bearings failed simultaneously. Yes the car is parked at the dealership and available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Potential for Accidents: Wheel Disengagement: The Buick dealership technician confirmed four wheel bearing needed to be replaced at the same time. One bad bearing would allow me the driver to possibly control the car until it is safely out of traffic. Four failed wheel bearings could cause the driver to lose all control of the vehicle and or the wheels to disengage from the vehicle which has the potential for serious injury or death. A disengaged wheel could fly off and cause harm to other drivers or pedestrians, or the driver themselves could lose control and crash. Yes, the service department at the Buick dealer confirmed four wheel bearings failed on May 7th. Yes I received another inspection from an independent auto repair servicer. No the vehicle has routine maintenance and a state…”
Steering
22 reports1 crash
“My vehicles steering column locked up and I could not turn left this issue was recalled on other similar year make and models but my VIN number was excluded from the recall. I can not get a replacement part for it as the part is on back order in the meantime I can not drive this vehicle and have no recourse. I am seeking to get the manufacturer to produce the needed part so I can purchase and install it but they will not tell me when I can expect it it's been over a month and I can drive my car. How can I get some assistance in this matter. Please advise. Thank you. [XXX] [XXX]”
Power train
11 reports
“WHEN THE CAR HAD MILEAGE IN THE MID-UPPER 30,000 IN 2018, WE NOTICED THAT AS THE SPEED COASTED DOWN TO 30MPH, THERE WAS A HARD DOWNSHIFT. SO HARD, YOU THOUGHT THE ENGINE FELL OUT OF THE CAR. AT THE TIME WE HAD NOT REALIZED IT ONLY DID THIS WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. SO, WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IN 12/2019, WE LEFT IT OVERNITE AND THEY "DID" REPLICATE THE ISSUE THE NEXT MORNING. THIS IS STATED ON OUR SERVICE BILL. THEY SUGGESTED A DEEP ATM FLUSH, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD A NORMAL FLUSH 18 MONTHS EARLIER WITH THEM. WE PAID THEM TO DO IT AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. SINCE WE SLOW DOWN EVERY TIME WE APPROACH A STOP SIGN OR STOPLIGHT, THIS OCCURS AS WE GET DOWN TO 30MPH. EXACTLY AT 30MPH!!! ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARM IT, WE DO NOT NOTICE THE ISSUE. BUT WE LIVE IN NORTHERN OHIO & THE NITES ARE COLD OCT-APRIL. WE DROVE THE CAR TO WARM MIAMI FL IN 1/2020. IT STILL DID IT, BUT ONLY A MILD DOWNSHIFT THEN QUICKLY DID NOT REPEAT AS THE TEMP WAS WARMER THERE. TO REDUCE THE HARDNESS OF THE DOWNSHIFT, WE HAVE REVERTED TO TRYING TO LET THE CAR WARM UP AFTER STARTING IT AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AS WE SLOW DOWN TO 30MPH! IT IS SAD THAT THIS HAS TO BE…”
Fuel/propulsion system
8 reports
“MY CAR CUTS OFF AND GIVES WARNING OF BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE WHEN I SLOW TO STOP AT RED LIGHTS OR TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY.. I'VE CHANGED THE BELT AND IT'S STILL DOING IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2017 AND I AM CONCERNED THAT MAYBE THE RECALL WASNT CHANGED FOR EASSIST COMPONENTS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD. I CANT STEARNS MY CAR BECAUSE IT'S TOO HARD WHEN ENGINE KILLS. IT ITS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING MAJOR IS WRONG.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.