2012 Buick Lacrosse problems
The Buick LaCrosse is a four-door, front-wheel-drive sedan manufactured by Buick since model year 2005, and marketed variously across four generations for the North American and Chinese markets.
The first-generation LaCrosse replaced the Century and Regal in North America beginning for model year 2005 as a five- or six-passenger, four-door, front-wheel-drive, V6-powered sedan using GM's mid-size W platform—and marketed in Canada as the Buick Allure. Notably, the first generation was also offered with a V8 engine, as a high-performance sub-model marketed as the LaCrosse Super (2008–2009). LaCrosse production and marketing began for China with model year 2006.
The second-generation LaCrosse was introduced for 2010 as a larger premium sedan for North American and Chinese markets using a long-wheelbase (LWB) variant of the Epsilon II platform shared with the Cadillac XTS—and available solely as a five-passenger sedan with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines.
The third generation was introduced for North America and China for model year 2017 using the GM Epsilon platform shared with the Chevrolet Impala, notably offering a mild hybrid powertrain combining 20-kilowatt (27 hp) electric and 2.5-liter Ecotec gasoline engine. North American production ended with the third generation, with model year 2019; however, it continued to be offered in China, with a 2019 facelift.
The fourth-generation LaCrosse, launched in 2023, is currently manufactured and marketed solely in China. It is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
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Common 2012 Buick Lacrosse problems
The 2012 Buick LaCrosse has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues:
- Air Bag Light On/Off While Driving: This problem has been reported by owners of the 2008 Buick LaCrosse, and the average cost to fix this issue is $1,200, with an average mileage of 62,000 miles.
- Transmission Slipping: This problem has been reported by owners of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, and the average cost to fix this issue is $3,900, with an average mileage of 102,000 miles.
- Cold Start Misfires and Timing Chain Issues: The 2nd generation 2010 to 2016 Buick LaCrosse has been reported to have cold start misfires and timing chain issues, which are the top 5 most common issues owners run into with this model.
- Throttle Body Assembly Failure: This problem is caused by sensors in the throttle body not aligning properly, triggering a check engine light. The sensors can sometimes be replaced separately, but it's generally easier to replace the throttle body. Cleaning the throttle body will not fix this issue since it's an internal electrical problem with the throttle body.
- ABS Light On with an ABS Code: This problem can be caused by a flex in the ABS wire, which can cause the sensor to break internally. The tone ring on the hub can also break, crack, and lose pieces, causing a break in the signal, triggering the ABS light.
- Remote Key Fob Won't Lock or Unlock the Door: This problem is caused by the door latch actuator failing on the door latches on the 2nd gen 2010 to 2016 Buick LaCrosse. If the key fob won't open the door, try the ignition key. Since the actuator is part of the door latch's assembly, the entire door latch assembly needs to be replaced.
These are some of the most common problems with the 2012 Buick LaCrosse based on complaints from owners. It's important to note that not all vehicles of this model will experience these issues, but it's essential to be aware of them when purchasing a used vehicle. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent or detect these problems early on, potentially saving owners from costly repairs.
Is a 2012 Buick LaCrosse a good car?
Boasting modern styling, an elegant interior and impressive driving dynamics, the LaCrosse quickly became one of our more favored entry-level luxury sedans. The 2012 Buick LaCrosse gets even better thanks to a new hybrid powertrain.
What is the most common problem with the Buick LaCrosse?
Many of the LaCrosse's common problems in this list are fairly minor and can be fixed through a simple replacement.
- Check Engine Light Turning On. ...
- Door Lock Actuator Failure. ...
- Clunking Noises From Steering. ...
- Headlight Failure. ...
- Power Steering Hose Leak.
What year is a bad Buick LaCrosse?
According to most previous owners, 2010 was the absolute worst year for the Buick Lacrosse. This model had a serious transmission issue that could cost more than $3,000 to have repaired if your vehicle had the problem. It was one of the most costly repairs and common in this year.
How many miles will a 2012 Buick LaCrosse last?
Typically, you will find that a Buick LaCrosse lasts 200,000-220,000 miles. This number is solid for any car owner and right on track with what the Buick brand provides in most of their makes.
2012 Buick Lacrosse car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Lacrosse problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
- Suspension problems
- Electronic stability control (esc) problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Buick Lacrosse vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2012 Buick Lacrosse
The NHTSA has received 192 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Buick Lacrosse. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2012 Buick Lacrosse vehicles.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-24
- VIN: 1G4GF5E38CF
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passengers and drivers seat air bags and the front passengers and drivers door air bags deployed without any impact to the vehicle. The vehicle as taken to the dealer, however the failure had not been diagnosed yet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 1G4GD5E31CF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I was not in a car accident! Hoping not to be just want to report this issue.Car kills in mid driving stability track comes on flashing checking engine with stability light and track system light as well! leaves me stranded in the middle of wherever I am! Stability light comes on car will not start back up . It’s takes a while to start back up! Having kids in the car with this issue is a major problem! I have several videos of the car doing it and will try to keep track of it! The check engine light is not on when flashing not reads when I check it just stability lights! The car has been doing this for months now! I’ve read that this is an issue with other Buicks like mines. Please help get this issue resolved the proper way! Also the security comes on when the car does that
STEERING,WHEELS,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-18
- VIN: 1G4GJ5E35CF
- Components: STEERING,WHEELS,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: I purchased this car 1 year ago with 121,460 miles, within the first week I had to buy new tires and replace the wipers,now I have to replace the alternator all of this is within a year. I just got the estimate for the alternator which is over 700.00 which I don't have.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-13
- VIN: 1G4GB5ER9CF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: My 2012 Buick lacrosse died while driving putting me and my children at risk. Vehicle was then jumped but battery voltage kept decreasing. It says service batter charging. Took to mechanic they said all electric components say low voltage then had battery replaced to see if that would fix it but it did not and I was told it would need to go to dealership to have all parts replaced which is 4k+. Did research and it may relate to the electrical recall made on the cars in 2013.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
- VIN: 1G4GC5G31CF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: while driving the Electronic Stability Control warning light comes on and the car loses power.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-27
- VIN: 1G4GD5E34CF
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: While driving, the STABILITRAK indicator lighted and the car began to flash multiple warnings, loss of steering ability, electrical anomalies, and eventual shut-off. This happened while on a major interstate highway, jeopardizing the life of the driver and other drivers. This happened on multiple occasions within two days. The vehicle was towed to a service center, who had difficulty determining the cause. The service center suggested transferring the vehicle to an authorized GM dealership. Similar incidents have been reported by other owners on this website. This should be investigated immediately.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: 1G4GF5G30CF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Hello my car is stalling out and the stabilìtrak lights comes on with trak symbol. Car does not crank back up until the next day.. it keeps doing this after several days. Im scared to drive this car with the stalling when driving it... PLEASE help me fix this problem.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-04-25
- VIN: 1G4GH5E3XCF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the park assists, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the RPM was elevated. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring and persistent for several years; however, the dealer had not been able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a severe electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-18
- VIN: 1G4GD5E31CF
- Components: STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM HAS AN INCORRECT CALIBRATION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO NOT PROPERLY DETECT IF A SENSOR WERE TO MALFUNCTION, AND THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, AS REQUIRED IN THE SAFETY STANDARD. THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM FALSELY ACTIVATES RESULTING IN SUDDEN CHANGES IN VEHICLE HANDLING AND DECELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE'S DESIRED PATH OF TRAVEL AND DESIRED VEHICLE SPEED, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-01
- VIN: 1G4GD5E31CF
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: 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.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-02
- VIN: 1G4GC5E30CF
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-14
- VIN: 1G4GD5E37CF
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that the driver's side front seat belt cable mount had detached while attempting to use the seat belt. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-08
- VIN: 1G4GJ5E37CF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off with the stabili-trak warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers and the contact was informed that the computer and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V40400 (Electronic Stability Control) that he linked to the failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-07
- VIN: 1G4GB5ER3CF
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Brake lights may stay on when the car is parked and the engine is off. This is due to the brake pedal may become sticky intermittently as per GM's Service Bulletin: SB-10045319-1529. At times, while pressing the gas pedal, the car may not move at all and it can become a safety hazard for the driver and drivers behind you. However, as of 5-8-23, GM does not have an open recall for this safety issue and may lead to an fatal accident. Please investigate this issue and possibly open a recall notice as this could cause a serious safety issue.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-25
- VIN: 1G4GE5E35CF
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: We're purchasing this vehicle from superior Auto, and we seen a recall back in 2011/12 from stabiltrak and deterrent auto theft, since this $21, 240 car we've had issues causing the car to shut off and lock up without warning, no power steering or brakes, and stabiltrak and auto deterrent theft warning pop up, and had it to 2 mechanics that are baffled and it produces no codes, I've almost gotten in 3 accidents causing this, and now I'm too scared to drive this car, the recall had same issues for improperly calibrated ESC defective sensors not showing codes, nobody will fix the issue without codes and I don't need to hurt or kill anyone. Superior Auto is not caring about taking this car back or trading it in, please help me figure this out, there was no accidents, but this car is unsafe for the road
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-15
- VIN: 1G4GC5GR5CF
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-15
- VIN: 1G4GC5ER4CF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: The charging system in my vehicle is no longer working. There's been a recall done for the charging system. It was fixed back in 2013 before long before I bought the vehicle. It's only been nine years since it's been fixed and now it's not working again. I'd like this matter to be looked into as I believe it's faulty at no fault of my own.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-05-30
- VIN: 1G4GD5ER0CF
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The brake pedal sticks down during interior high temperatures (generally during the summer months when parked in the sun) and causes the brakes to drag. It appears this is a known defect (nhtsa# 10141352) gm technical service bulletin#PIC 5692D. I just want the NHTSA to be aware of another vehicle exhibiting this condition. I will be repairing the vehicle myself.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-04
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G4GA5ER7CF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I was driving the LaCrosse in my neighborhood. A few minutes into the trip, I noticed a burning kind of smell. Then I saw smoke coming from the left side under the hood. I pulled over to the side of the road and exited the car to check, but the smoke quickly got worse and became flames. I then called 911.The police and fire department responded, and they were able to extinguish the fire. However, the front part of the car including the hood area and the passenger compartment was completely burned. It was a clear and mild summer day. And the car was travelling at relatively low speed on a local street, nothing unusual until the car suddenly started to smell, smoke, and burn. From the first burning smell to the car fire it took only a few minutes. The fire department investigation report states that the origin of the fire was "Left front of the engine compartment behind the left headlight and before the battery", and " the most likely cause was an electrical failure." I am the original owner of the car. It had been regularly maintained. The car had about 87,750 miles. It had not been involved in any accident.
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-25
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G4GC5E39CF
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: I am the Fire Marshal in Ashtabula Ohio. Fire occurred in the driver's seat cushion. The origin of the fire was determined to be below the seat covering in the area of the springs and foam padding. the only competent ignition sources in the area are a computer module, power seat motors and seat heater coil. The computer module was eliminated during the investigation leaving only the heater and position motors as competent ignition sources. A review of repair records indicates the owner report power seat issues to the dealer in June 2021 that went unresolved. The dealer records indicate they were unable to replicate the failure. The fire self-extinguished upon consumption of all available oxygen; however, the smoke damage has resulted in complete destruction of interior. As a Certified Fire Investigator, I feel obligated to report a potential problem involving ignition of passenger vehicles. [XXX] Ashtabula Fire Department INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-01
- VIN: 1G4GD5E36CF
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Stability control light keeps coming on the car shut downs in the middle of the road or it won’t start I called Buick they say there is no recall but it shows on the NHTSA site 2012 Buick has a improperly calibrated faulty electric stabilitrack ESC campaign ID Number 11v404000 so I don’t under stand why my car can’t be fixed this very dangerous for me an my kids it they won’t even look at my car
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-29
- VIN: 1G4GE5E33CF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: I have been dealing with this problem for over 7 months now. My Buick Lacrosse '12, while driving it (doesn't matter the speed) all of the suddent it starts locking and unlocking, immediately after the speed drops and the car comes to a complete stop. I have little children that ride with me in the car- while driving on the interstate this is a HUGE LIFE HAZARD, because I can't control when the car stops. I have taken it to multiple shops, non a single one of them can find anything wrong. No codes come up when they check for it. This is beyond frustrating. I see other Buicks have been recalled due to this issues. PLEASE HELP!! I am seriously concerned that me and my family could have a fatal accident because my car stops on the interstate with out warning. My name is [XXX], my husband is [XXX]- contact cell [XXX]. Address: [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-11
- VIN: 1G4GD5E35CF
- Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving stability trac, check engine light flashed and rpm, and speed gauges start going haywire. The car loses power even while accelerating, the steering wheel locks and car stalls. Then after 15-30 minutes the car starts fine and drives. Has happened at least 8 times. Took it to Buick dealer who ran diagnostic but unable to recreate codes but acknowledged a problem. Supposedly fixed it only to return the car a few days later. This is quite scary and dangerous as it happens without warning and while driving. Thankfully I wasn't on the expressway when it happened because all steering, power and brake function is lost.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-27
- VIN: 1G4GF5E3XCF
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after a while. The contact stated that the service stabili trac warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the error code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the error occurred several times. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-30
- VIN: 1G4GF5E3XCF
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The stability trac and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided several unknown codes. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. The contact has stated that due to the seriousness of the problems, that they no longer own the vehicle.
2012 Buick Lacrosse recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 2012 Buick Lacrosse.
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
- Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
- Consequence: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BUICK LACROSSE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 9, 2011, THROUGH JULY 2, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS (ESC)." THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM HAS AN INCORRECT CALIBRATION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO NOT PROPERLY DETECT IF A SENSOR WERE TO MALFUNCTION, AND THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, AS REQUIRED IN THE SAFETY STANDARD.
- Consequence: THE IMPROPER DIAGNOSING MAY CAUSE THE ESC TO FALSELY ACTIVATE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN CHANGES IN VEHICLE HANDLING AND DECELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE'S DESIRED PATH OF TRAVEL AND DESIRED VEHICLE SPEED, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.
Negative 2012 Buick Lacrosse car reviews
Positive 2012 Buick Lacrosse car reviews
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I really love the car, but unfortunately, I have had some issues with quality and reliability. In less than a month with my brand new car, I experienced some problems. The first car I received had the engine light on before I even left the dealer. The next day, I received a 'service stabiliTrak' message on my dashboard. Thankfully, the dealer replaced the car with a new one. Everything was fine until the battery died after only 20 days. The car was towed back to the dealer, and they found a defective battery. Hopefully, I won't have any other problems with it, but only time will tell. On the bright side, this car is very comfortable, quiet, and spacious. Although the trunk is on the small side, it's enough for me and my family (2 small children).
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The 2012 Lacrosse from Buick is a real winner! BMW and Audi, watch out! With GM incentives, the Lacrosse offers much better value than most other comparable sedans. The 303 HP V-6 engine can compete well with other comparable sedans, and it's responsive, smooth, and quiet, with reasonable fuel economy. The ride is comfortable, quiet, and smooth, and the cornering is flat at high speeds, with excellent vehicle tracking and good steering response. It's a really fun car to drive! However, there are a few downsides to consider. First gear is much too low, a ratio better suited for a four-cylinder engine. Side visibility is hindered by the door post, and high headrests hinder backing visibility. Additionally, the front bucket seats are too narrow, except for a small person with a small butt.
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Overall, this is a great vehicle that you can depend on, with low mileage.
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The car is beautiful and rides nicely. However, I have had some concerns raised by others about whether I would recommend it or not. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend it due to some issues I have experienced. Despite having the Blind Alert Package, it still does not provide enough visibility when pulling out onto a highway. Additionally, there was a person standing on a curb that was difficult to see due to a thick post. This post is a serious problem. Furthermore, the car's first gear is a major issue as it hardly moves and cannot pull out onto the highway quickly.
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As longtime Pontiac owners, we were initially skeptical of Buick's styling and road manners, which we thought skewed towards an older demographic. However, the LaCrosse proved us wrong! Its outstanding looks come at a price, but it's worth it. While it may take some getting used to, the sporty road feel is enjoyable without a punishing ride. The seats are incredibly comfortable, and the digital speedometer is a big help. The only downside is that the trunk is only adequate for luggage for two. We recommend considering getting back up assist and blind spot alert to help with the blind spots when changing lanes. Overall, we highly recommend the LaCrosse for anyone looking for a stylish and comfortable ride.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Buick Lacrosse problems:
2012 Buick LaCrosse Problems and Complaints - 4 Issues
Problem with your 2012 Buick LaCrosse? Our list of 4 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2012 Buick LaCrosse.
Reliability of a 2012 Buick LaCrosse with 130k miles? : r/Buick
Feb 6, 2019 ... They are pretty reliable. I'd test drive it and get it inspected at a shop. Check online to compare prices. Some things might need to be ...
2012 Buick LaCrosse Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2012 Buick LaCrosse? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Q&A: 2012 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid Problems & Engine Details
Feb 1, 2019 ... Was this answer helpful? up Yes. down No. Finish.
2012 Buick LaCrosse Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Exhaust · Brakes · Climate System · Engine Major · Transmission Major · Engine Electrical · Fuel System/Emissions · Steering And ...
Other years of Buick Lacrosse
Are you having problems with your 2012 Buick Lacrosse?
Mike Kulas 2025-02-22
We purchased our 2012 Lacrosse with approximately 48k miles and all the bells and whistles, which is why I reluctantly opted for an extended warranty. Ours is the touring model and it's an absolute joy to drive. As someone who is 215 lbs and 6'3
Arvid Farrell 2025-02-04
After driving almost 15000 miles, I wanted to share my thoughts on the car's performance. The acceleration is excellent, but be careful of torque steering. If you accelerate while turning, it may yank the steering wheel back straight. This is the fastest stock V6 I have ever owned. However, there have been reports of transmission issues with the 2012 and surrounding years. The way it's geared, it tends to shift high, especially during the 2nd to 3rd shift. When I first bought it, it was shifting at 4000-5000 RPM on that shift, which was unacceptable to me. After fighting with Buick for months (while under factory warranty), I finally got a significant answer on how to fix this. These are adaptive transmissions that learn how you drive. If you take off fast, it will learn to shift at a higher RPM, which is not healthy for the engine or transmission in the long term. Eventually, I got them to flash the Transmission Control and wipe the memory clean. It took about 2 months for the car to 'learn' my driving style, but now it rarely shifts over 3000 RPM. If it does, it's because I have it in Manual mode or I've got it floored. If you're experiencing transmission problems with your Buick Lacrosse, don't let the dealer tell you it's normal. It takes them about an hour to fix it. In terms of comfort, if you're tall or a big person, getting in and out may be uncomfortable. The way the seat sits, even when adjusted as far back as possible, still puts a significant amount of your legs beyond the front of the door, making you pull your legs back and spin in the seat before being able to put your legs on the ground. I cannot count how many times I have smacked my knees on the steering wheel, even with it adjusted as high and far into the dash as possible.The advertisement featuring Shaquille O'Neal sitting comfortably in one of these cars is misleading, but once you're actually 'IN' the car, it has a comfortable and sporty ride. The interior is decent, with supple, soft, and comfortable leather and attractive LED highlights. However, some of the chrome 'coating' on the accents starts peeling off. As others have noted, the car has some visibility safety issues, with blind spots being a HUGE problem. Lane changing requires a full head/body turn to see if someone is near the normal blind spot. A simple fix is to buy 2 stick-on blind spot mirrors and put them up in the top outside corner of your normal mirrors. This helps tremendously in traffic. If you live in the North, this car is not suitable for you as the traction control is the worst I have ever experienced. It works wonders on dry pavement, but in an inch of snow, you're not moving. Reliability is good overall, with only one significant unresolved issue in this vehicle. The evaporator drain can get plugged up, causing a moldy acrid scent when running the heat, especially when run on recirculate. Value is about par for the course for a mid-sized sedan.The cost is slightly higher than what I expected based on safety alone, but overall it is still pretty economical. Additionally, the car is E85 capable and I have found that running E85 results in an average of about 22mpg on a 70 mile round trip with mixed city/highway driving. On Unleaded with 10% Ethanol, I have been able to achieve an average between 24.5 and 25 on the same trip. If you maintain a speed of 65mph with relatively few stops over long distances, you can expect to achieve high 20's to low 30's mpg.
Major Grady 2025-02-01
The car has an excellent smooth and quiet ride, and handles nicely. It is very responsive and has an attractive design. The acceleration is good when needed, and it has more than acceptable gas mileage, up to 38 mpg without AC and 32 mpg with AC on the highway, and around 27-28 mpg in the city. The vehicle is very dependable and durable, with low maintenance. However, there are some downsides to consider. The sight lines when driving and backing up are very poor, with lots of blind spots. You have to be careful when backing out of a parking space since you can't see people or other vehicles well at all. It can also be tough to get in and out of without hitting your head on the top of the door frame, even for someone who is only 5ft 7 inches. The car is so low to the ground that you are constantly scraping the front of the car on the pavement, especially when entering or exiting a parking lot. Lastly, because of the battery located in the trunk, space there is very limited, and you may not be able to fit larger items like a set of golf clubs in the trunk. Overall, this is a great car that provides a comfortable ride and is a pleasure to drive and look at. However, it is important to consider the potential downsides before making a purchase.
Buddy Berge 2024-11-12
I really appreciate the color and the overall look of the car. However, I must say that I prefer my 2006 Lacrosse over this 2012 model. The shifting could be smoother and the ride is a bit loud, but it is still comfortable. Unfortunately, the seats are a bit narrow and it's difficult to fit a car or booster seat in the back. Additionally, the armrest is awkwardly positioned with the gearshift so far back, and the door locks and park break are located in the center without a trunk button. Overall, I'm not sure if I will keep this car.
Geo Mertz 2024-09-07
The design of the car has some challenges that I have noticed. For example, the curvature of the doors makes it difficult to get in and out of the car without hitting my head, and it creates a blind spot when checking for traffic. Additionally, the lumbar support in the driver's seat is too large and causes discomfort even after a short drive. The car's low height also makes it difficult to navigate curbs. I also found the between seat console to be awkward and the steering column to be difficult to adjust. Finally, it would be helpful if the trunk could be opened from the inside. Overall, there are some areas for improvement in the car's design, but I appreciate the effort put into its creation.