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Research · Midsize Cars

2011 Buick LacrosseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 169 owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Lacrosse. Most complaints involve electrical system (32) and engine (30). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
169
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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 toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

SuspensionReported Dec 22, 2021NHTSA 21V00F000

Suspension: rear

Remedy pending

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 toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.

SuspensionReported Dec 22, 2020NHTSA 20V764000

Seats: power adjust

Remedy pending

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 seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

SeatsReported Jul 23, 2014NHTSA 14V447000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

169 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2010 – Jul 2026
  1. Electrical system32
  2. Engine30
  3. Suspension27
  4. Power train19
  5. Service brakes17
  6. Visibility/wiper14
  7. Steering12
  8. Air bags11
  9. Visibility9

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2009106
2011169
2012206
2013130
201463
201544
201648
201736
201812
20197
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

32 reports1 fire
“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 discovered that the mileage was 231,952.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026Electrical systemODI 11750433

Engine

30 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 fixed and picked up the vehicle 3/20/2026 and gave 1600. However, on April 9, 2026, the vehicle shut off again while driving. This issue has occurred multiple times and persists despite repair attempts. When the vehicle shuts off, it creates a loss of power and poses a significant safety risk in traffic. I am concerned that this may be a broader safety issue and am requesting that this defect be documented and investigated.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11731073

Suspension

27 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2025Suspension, VisibilityODI 11695748
All 2011 Lacrosse problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 9, 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
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192923$2,700386
LaCrosse
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172720$3,100444
LaCrosse AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162620$3,100444
  • LaCrosse
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • LaCrosse
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • LaCrosse AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 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 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 9, 2026Vehicle 609Vehicle 190
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

2011 Lacrosse questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Buick Lacrosse have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Buick Lacrosse problems?

Owners filed 169 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (32), engine (30), suspension (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Buick Lacrosse get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Buick Lacrosse at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Buick Lacrosse?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Buick Lacrosse 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026