Research · Midsize Cars

2016 Buick Lacrosse EassistRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse Eassist. Most complaints involve steering (11) and power train (6). The EPA rates it 28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
28mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
41
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse Eassist as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

41 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2016 – Apr 2025
  1. Steering11
  2. Power train6
  3. Vehicle speed control6
  4. Air bags4
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Engine3
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Equipment1
  9. Forward collision avoidance1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Lacrosse Eassist model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20122
2013124
201460
201543
201641
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

11 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while his wife was driving in rainy or snowy conditions, the check power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after it had stopped raining or snowing, the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The contact was informed that a code for 19-NA-182 could be reset, and that there was no failure found with the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2025SteeringODI 11653907

Power train

6 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that when she started her vehicle, the automatic collision unavailable, and oil leak warning message illuminated. The contact stated the warning lights were then unilluminated. The contact stated that the following day while the vehicle was parked and turned on, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated she called a tow truck to tow the vehicle to the local dealer and while she waited she was able to steer the steering wheel; however, she did not feel safe driving the vehicle and it was then towed to a local dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the diagnosis was that the vehicle needed to update the power control module(PCM) software. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact the failure was not covered under the warranty. The failure mileage was 92,968.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2022Power trainODI 11483748

Vehicle speed control

6 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE WRENCH, TRACTION CONTROL, AND STABILITRAK. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TEMPERATURE INDICATORS WOULD GO TO ZERO. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH, THE RPMS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TEXAN GMC BUICK (18225 EASTEX FWY, HUMBLE, TX 77338, (281) 973-3117) SIX TIMES WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT MULTIPLE FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF COMMUNICATION. THE DEALER PERFORMED A CALIBRATION AND CLEARED ALL THE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN AND ALL THE GAUGES WERE AT ZERO. THE FOLLOWING FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND: U0100-U2099-U0140-U0120 (STORED IN TRANS, BCM, PARK BRAKE, FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FAILING INTERMITTENTLY, REPLACE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE ASSEMBLY, PERFORMED PROGRAMMING AND MOBILIZER LEARN AND SETUP PROCEDURES, CLEAR FAULT, AND ROAD TEST). THE FAILURE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2019Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11242729
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LaCrosse eAssist
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,200312
  • LaCrosse eAssist
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 10264Vehicle 10263
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 Lacrosse Eassist questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Buick Lacrosse Eassist have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2016 Buick Lacrosse Eassist problems?

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (11), power train (6), vehicle speed control (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Buick Lacrosse Eassist get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Buick Lacrosse Eassist at 28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2016 Buick Lacrosse Eassist?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Buick Lacrosse Eassist 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026