Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Buick Lacrosse problems
Owners filed 206 complaints about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse with NHTSA between Oct 2011 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (62).
Complaints
206
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system62
- Engine46
- Suspension31
- Electronic stability control (esc)25
- Steering24
- Power train24
- Service brakes16
- Vehicle speed control12
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Structure7
- Seats6
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Wheels5
- Air bags4
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
1
8
12
25
11
8
16
12
21
10
39
13
6
11
4
9
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 9 |
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
62 reports2 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“**Subject:** Formal Safety Defect Complaint: Premature Failure of Completed Recall Remedy (NHTSA Campaign 13V173000 / GM Recall 13136) Resulting in Sudden Loss of Power Steering **VEHICLE INFORMATION** * **Year/Make/Model:** 2012 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid (eAssist) * **VIN:** [XXX] * **Current Mileage:** [Insert Current Mileage] **DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY DEFECT & INCIDENT** This vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign 13V173000 to resolve an inherent defect in the Generator Control Module (GCM) that presents a severe stalling and trunk fire risk. On 9-9-26, under normal driving conditions in ambient temperatures of approximately 95°F and after covering a distance of 10 miles, the manufacturer-installed remedy component suffered a premature, catastrophic thermal failure. The replacement GCM ceased regulating and delivering power to the vehicle’s 12-volt system. The resulting critical voltage drop forced the vehicle into an emergency load-shedding protocol, abruptly disabling the air conditioning system. Shortly thereafter, the severe drop in operating voltage caused a total, sudden failure of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) while the vehicle was…”
Engine
46 reports1 fire
“2012 Buick LaCrosse V6 (Fairfax Plant). The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of engine power and forward propulsion while traveling at highway speed, cutting off mid-drive with no warning. This occurred alongside a persistent StabiliTrak malfunction; the dash showed repeated "Service StabiliTrak" warnings before the failure, then turned bright orange with multiple warning lights and a message instructing me to activate my turn signal and pull over before RPMs dropped to zero. Because power cut out instantly, my [XXX] son (passenger) and I were trapped in the center lane of a dense, multi-lane highway. I was forced to dodge high-speed traffic and coast the dead vehicle across multiple active lanes to reach the shoulder, creating an imminent collision risk to us and other drivers. We were then stranded on the narrow shoulder awaiting a tow, with traffic passing within feet at highway speed. Both my son and I have CMT2A (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), a neuromuscular disability limiting mobility; we were incapable of quickly evacuating the vehicle or reaching safety up the embankment, leaving us trapped in a highly dangerous position. No official inspection…”
Suspension
31 reports2 crashes2 related recalls
“Subject: Complaint Regarding Improper Handling of Safety Recall Repair Hello, I would like to file an official complaint regarding a dealership that failed to properly follow required procedures for a federally mandated safety recall repair on my vehicle. Vehicle Information: • Year/Make/Model: 2012 Buick Lacrosse • VIN: [XXX] • Recall Number (if known): Dealership Information: • Dealership Name: Castle Buick • Location: 7400 Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546 • Date of Service Attempt: May 2026 Details of the Issue: The dealership did not follow the proper safety recall repair guidelines as required under federal regulations. Despite the recall requiring specific corrective actions to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate, the dealer either: • failed to perform the full recall procedure, • refused or delayed the repair without a valid reason, or • returned the vehicle without completing required steps to ensure safety (such as proper inspection, adjustment, or alignment). This violates my rights as a vehicle owner, as federal law requires manufacturers and authorized dealers to correct safety-related defects at no cost and in full compliance with recall…”
Electronic stability control (esc)
25 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and shutoff independently. The stabili-trak warning light was flashing after the failure had occurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the failure was not covered under a recall. There was no assistance provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V404000 (Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
Steering
24 reports3 crashes
“during a regular drive the check stabiltrack system message popped up on the dash in the middle circle and then the little car with the squiggly lines behind it popped up and the check engine light came on and started blinking. Immediately I noticed lack of steering control, the car's speed was accelerating and decelerating on its own, jerking and stalling also was observed. As of now the car sits in my driveway because I don't trust the safety of it. I literally feared my life was in danger driving it because of the lack of handling and the acceleration shifts that were so random. So I returned home, as I pulled into the yard the vehicle jerked hard while I was attempting turn into the driveway causing me to hit my mailbox and damaged the side fender and front bumper. no one was injured but the car was damaged as stated before and I'm scared to drive it anywhere. The unpredictable behavior displayed in the vehicle puts other drivers at risk as well because I can't control the vehicle properly. so I'm guessing all in all its a malfunction somewhere in the electrical system. I have read about recalls in my type of vehicle involving the ESC and it appears to be…”
Power train
24 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt had detached and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer determined that there was a gasket leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the serpentine belt had previously been replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.”
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.