Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Buick Lacrosse problems

Owners filed 36 complaints about the 2017 Buick Lacrosse with NHTSA between Nov 2016 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (11).

Complaints
36
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system11
  2. Power train9
  3. Engine5
  4. Vehicle speed control4
  5. Suspension4
  6. Air bags2
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Steering1
  9. Fuel system, gasoline1
  10. Structure1
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  12. Seats1
  13. Seat belts1
  14. Visibility/wiper1

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 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20161
20172
20183
20196
20205
20213
20224
20231
20248
20250
20263

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

11 reports
“The amplifier stopped working and all the sound comes through the amp including but not limited to seatbelt, door ajar, rear seat reminder, blinkers, back up sounds, and any and all sounds that the car my make for any safety features, onstar features, radio, Bluetooth, the list goes on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2024Electrical systemODI 11602816

Power train

9 reports
“My 2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium AWD (116,220 miles) experienced a severe all-wheel-drive failure causing significant binding and a loud rumbling/clunking noise during sharp, low-speed cornering and acceleration. The vehicle has been officially inspected by two separate authorized manufacturer service centers. On September 25, 2026, a certified GM technician at Advantage Buick GMC formally documented that the vehicle has a prominent rear drivetrain failure, identifying it as a "rear diff or driveshaft issue" that requires full component replacement. Prior to the complete mechanical failure, no warning lights or dashboard indicators illuminated. The binding symptoms appeared suddenly during normal city driving maneuvers. This drivetrain failure directly aligns with documented corporate engineering safety campaigns, specifically Customer Satisfaction Program #16069 (propeller shaft/driveshaft C-clip disengagement defect) and TSB #18-NA-049 (catastrophic twin-clutch carrier assembly failure). The failure of this component poses a severe, immediate driving hazard as a sudden disengagement of the driveshaft or differential lockup at road speeds can result in a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11767766

Engine

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that after his wife had parked and turning off the vehicle, moments later the vehicle was restarted and the check engine and TCM warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, the transmission shifter failed to shift out of park. The vehicle towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11562549

Vehicle speed control

4 reports
“My 2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium AWD experienced a sudden, dangerous mechanical failure of the Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor system while operating the vehicle under normal road conditions. The vehicle suffered an immediate loss of engine continuity and engine power, forcing the car into a hazardous low-speed limp mode while in active traffic. A certified repair facility inspected the vehicle, confirmed a complete failure of the internal pedal sensor circuit, and replaced the unit to restore safe operating throttle control. This specific electronic and mechanical defect represents a widespread manufacturing vulnerability that General Motors has officially acknowledged under Special Coverage Adjustment N182188250. This failure poses an immediate safety hazard to occupants and surrounding traffic, as a sudden drop in throttle response on highways or busy intersections leaves the driver unable to maintain safe traveling speeds or accelerate out of oncoming hazards. General Motors has opened Corporate Case #113840289 regarding this failure but has failed to issue my safety reimbursement.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11767773

Suspension

4 reports1 related recall
“This vehicle has major suspension issues containing the complete strut assembly, lower control arms, and strut yokes/forks, which can not be replaced due to the discontinuance of the vehicle and parts itself. Because of this the car cannot receive an alignment which cause the tires to be eaten up at a rapid rate. When going over a bump in the highway the steering column goes one way while the car goes another. The car slides all over the road. Extreme safety concerns for my family and I.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2026SuspensionODI 11736767

Air bags

2 reports
“The air bag warning light in the dash came on intermittently during driving. I took the vehicle to the dealer for service December 27, 2023, since it was a safety issue that the authorized dealer needs to take care of. At first, they said it was a bad battery and the safety system needed reprogramming. Which they did for about $800. When driving home from the dealer the air bag light came back on so a few days later I returned the car to the dealer. Then they said it was the passenger seat safety module that needed to be replaced. That was back in January of 2024, over 6 months ago. At that point I learned that the car is not drivable since the air bag could deploy at any time or would not function if requested in an accident. General Motors says they do not have the part that is critical to the operation of the air bag system to replace. That was over 6 months ago, with no prediction when they will have the part. This is a critical part of the safety system that they can't replace which leads me to believe there is more to this than they are telling me!! Federal law requires them to have parts for vehicles less than 7 years old - they don't!! How many other…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2024Air bagsODI 11603514
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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