CarModelProblems.com

2011 Buick Lacrosse Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
168Complaints
4Recalls
15Crashes
1Fires
12Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine (17.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine30 · 17.9%No official action
Electrical System26 · 15.5%No official action
Suspension25 · 14.9%RecalledRecall 20V764000 · Recall 21V00F000
Power Train18 · 10.7%No official action
Service Brakes17 · 10.1%No official action
Visibility/wiper14 · 8.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE30 · 17.9%
SUSPENSION25 · 14.9%
POWER TRAIN18 · 10.7%
SERVICE BRAKES17 · 10.1%
VISIBILITY/WIPER14 · 8.3%
STEERING12 · 7.1%
Unspecified / other12 · 7.1%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)9 · 5.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL9 · 5.4%

Percentages are the share of the 168 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 20V764000 · 2020 · reported 12/21/2020

A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear

NHTSA campaign 21V00F000 · 2021 · reported 12/22/2021

A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

NHTSA campaign 14V447000 · 2014 · reported 07/23/2014

If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element

NHTSA campaign 11V149000 · 2011 · reported 03/04/2011

IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I WAS GOING 50 MILES AN HOUR DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION AND STABILITRAK CAME ON AND THEN STATED REDUCED ENGINE POWER…”NHTSA complaint 11171317 — filed 01/22/2019 · ENGINE
“ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ALLOWS WINDSHIELD TO BECOME FOGGED OVER AND I CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE OR CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM. I CANNOT CONTROL THE HEATING…”NHTSA complaint 11164871 — filed 01/07/2019 · ENGINE
“WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND INTITATING A TRN ON A CITY STREET, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER…”NHTSA complaint 11164259 — filed 12/31/2018 · ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

192012817201420202016172620182418202025112022632024522026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick Lacrosse?

Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 30 of 168 NHTSA complaints (17.9%), followed by electrical system (26), suspension (25), power train (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2011 Buick Lacrosse have?

168 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2011 Buick Lacrosse have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V764000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2011 Buick Lacrosse's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.