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Research · Midsize Cars

2015 Buick LacrosseRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 44 owner complaints for the 2015 Buick Lacrosse. Most complaints involve steering (12) and electrical system (9). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2017
Owner complaints
44
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Jul 10, 2017NHTSA 17V437000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Sep 8, 2016NHTSA 16V651000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.

Air bagsReported Oct 16, 2015NHTSA 15V666000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

44 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2015 – Nov 2025
  1. Steering12
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Air bags7
  4. Service brakes4
  5. Exterior lighting3
  6. Power train2
  7. Seat belts2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Vehicle speed control2

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
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
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

12 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH on a main road and attempting to make a right turn, the contact noticed that the steering wheel had become increasingly difficult to steer. The message "Service Power Steering - Drive with Care" was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,900.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2025SteeringODI 11666414

Electrical system

9 reports
“MY HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT COME ON. MY RADIO GOES OUT AND ON. WHEN STARTING MY CAR USING PUSH START MY CAR STALL. HESITATE TO START BUT FINALLY STARTS AFTER SO MANY TRIES. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START CAR AND RECENTLY HAD A BATTERY REPLACED. NOW THE POWER STEERING IS GONE OUT. I CAN BARELY TURN STEERING WHEEL., THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. MY DASHBOARD IS VERY DIM. IT WENT COMPLETELY BLACK A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEN CAME BACK IT'S BARELY LIT I CAN BARELY SEE GAS GAUGE, OR SPEED ODOMETER.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2020Steering, Electrical system, Visibility/wiperODI 11301958

Air bags

7 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2015 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, another vehicle spun uncontrollably and crashed into the driver's side door of the vehicle and the door caved in. The contact hit the left side of her head against the front driver's side window. The air bags failed to deploy. The fire department assisted the contact out of the vehicle by cutting the driver-side door. The contact was transported to the hospital with the assistance of emergency units. The contact sustained soreness on the left side of her body, from the neck down to the legs. The contact also sustained bruises on the left side. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The contact associated the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V437000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11487099
All 2015 Lacrosse problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
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 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
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
182821$2,950419
LaCrosse
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
182821$2,950422
LaCrosse AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
172620$3,100444
  • LaCrosse
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • LaCrosse
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • LaCrosse AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 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%
Overall
5 / 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%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 9038Vehicle 9037
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

2015 Lacrosse questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Buick Lacrosse have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 2015 Buick Lacrosse problems?

Owners filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (12), electrical system (9), air bags (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Buick Lacrosse get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Buick Lacrosse at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Buick Lacrosse?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Buick Lacrosse 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026