2011 Buick Lacrosse Problems

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation. The issue first occurred in January 2026. The vehicle was later towed for repair in February 2026, and I was told the issue had been fixed and picked up the vehicle 3/20/2026 and gave $1600. However, on April 9, 2026, the vehicle shut off again while driving. This issue has occurred multiple times and persists despite repair attempts. When the vehicle shuts off, it creates a loss of power and poses a significant safety risk in traffic. I am concerned that this may be a broader safety issue and am requesting that this defect be documented and investigated.

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the engine misfired while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was a defective valve in the engine which caused the misfire. The contact was informed that the failure was related to a manufacturer defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

The contact purchased a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 143,939 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 231,952.

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation. The issue first occurred in January 2026. The vehicle was later towed for repair in February 2026, and I was told the issue had been fixed and picked up the vehicle 3/20/2026 and gave $1600. However, on April 9, 2026, the vehicle shut off again while driving. This issue has occurred multiple times and persists despite repair attempts. When the vehicle shuts off, it creates a loss of power and poses a significant safety risk in traffic. I am concerned that this may be a broader safety issue and am requesting that this defect be documented and investigated.

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to use the defroster, the HVAC system was not working properly, and paper towels were used to wipe the inside and outside windshield. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH or while slowing down to come to a stop, there was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to have the HVAC system reprogrammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the HVAC system could not be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to have the abnormal sound coming from the rear end diagnosed. The contact researched online and related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V149000 (Visibility) and 20V764000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made rattling noises and was shaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the struts needed to be replaced; however, the replacement part was no longer being manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to use the defroster, the HVAC system was not working properly, and paper towels were used to wipe the inside and outside windshield. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH or while slowing down to come to a stop, there was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to have the HVAC system reprogrammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the HVAC system could not be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to have the abnormal sound coming from the rear end diagnosed. The contact researched online and related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V149000 (Visibility) and 20V764000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a failure with the defrost system. The contact stated that the windows failed to defrost properly, causing a visibility hazard while driving. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

The component is the brakes and the brake pedal while not engaging the brakes they remained on even after the vehicle was shut off .the vehicle brake lights remained on this was not duplicated when I took the car in by the dealer of how the brake remains engaged we even when not being used I would have to release the break by pulling it up with my foot while driving . This was duplicated and witnessed by two others the dealership where I bought the car and a trusted mechanic. which no avai there was no warning light indicating any type of concern prior to it doing this. the brake pedal being slightly stuck my transmission shifts not properly and hot feeling to the car now I have a warning saying that AC will not work due to the overheating of my engine which I believe to have repaired however the repair that was believed to be the problem obviously wasn't the problem because the light still remains on and the fan runs continuously the minute I start the car to the time I shut the car off I live in North Dakota and it is -1 today and the fan continues to run at all times and the warning light is on cooling fan the car lunges at times which is easy to lose control over when it does this it lunges to the point where it physically noticeable and and no warnings of this that a compensation is going to need to be made in my driving with this lunge issue. I do feel this break issue has affected many other parts of the vehicle and the safety associated with these components. Also at times the driver's seat will not move it goes up to the dash or back to the back seat leaving me in a position where I cannot drive the vehicle safely at all. Also the cruise control would not engage because of the brakes being slightly engaged. Took her to the dealership discussed this problem with them and they could not duplicate and it's been going on since I purchased the car It had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it and it continues to do this and I think it's a safety issue

THE CEM ON THESE CARS GO OUT VERY FAST WITHOUT NO NOTICE

When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car I have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car

I was driving down the highway and when I went to apply my brakes the pedal completely broke off. It was just dangling on the floorboard. I had no brakes. I was forced to put my car in neutral to slow myself down and apply my parking break in order to stop. The road was very busy and I was going 60mph. I could have died. Luckily I was able to make it over 2 lanes and stop in the grass on the side of the road. I had the car towed to my mechanic and he had to replace the whole brake assembly. I have the broken parts and they are available for inspection. There were no warning lights

When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car I have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car

I noticed today as I was stopped at a red light with my foot on brake the vehicle was kinda jumping like it was trying to go while foot was on brake. I drove a little further and the service stabilitrak light came on followed by the reduced engine power. The car proceeded to die in the middle of a busy street. After a few minutes it did restart and I was able to get it home. This seems to be a common problem with 2011 buick lacrosse. Ihave seen several complaints about this same issue.

When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car I have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car

Car lost all steering while driving down the road

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the air bag did not deploy. As a result, the driver hit his head on the headrest. The driver did seek medical attention for his injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. In addition, the seat belt retractor latches were not able to be used after the rear-ended accident. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD WHERE IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

WINDOWS WILL NOT DEFOG AC BARELY RUNS TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP TO GET A RECHARGE BUT STILL NOTHING. MY SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR ON DRIVER SIDE. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEOS BUT DON'T KNOW HOW SEND COPY PASTE THE LINK TO YOU...

DRIVER SEAT HAS COLLAPSED. I FIRST NOTICED THIS WHEN I GOT IN TO DRIVE AFTER MY HUSBAND HAD DRIVEN THE CAR AND I HAD TO ADJUST THE REAR VIEW MIRROR...SOMETHING I HAD NEVER HAD TO DO IN THE PAST AND IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE. I CAN NO LONGER SAFELY SEE ABOVE OR AROUND THE SIDE MIRRORS UNLESS I SIT ON A PILLOW.

TRUNK RANDOMLY OPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND MY KEY FOB IS NOT IN MY POCKET. I KEEP IT ON A CLIP ON MY PURSE WHEN NOT IN USE. ONCE I NOTICED THE ALERT IN MY CAR POPPED UP ON MY DISPLAY WHILE DRIVING @ 55 MPH AND I DID STOP AND CLOSED THE TRUNK. MOST OF THE TIME CAR HAS BEEN STATIONARY. ONCE IT MUST HAVE BEEN OPENED DURING THE NIGHT AND IT RAINED. WHOLE TRUNK WAS VERY WET. SEVERAL TIME WHILE AT WORK AND MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT--HAD SOMEONE TELL MY MY TRUNK WAS OPEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT MOISTURE ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND O2 SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.*DT*JB

Car been smelling like gas for awhile engine light pop on and off. My car will not start I have replace the fuel pump car still won’t get gas . Replaced battery numerous of times battery keep won’t stay charge . I have a recall on my car I believe the suspension is under recall as well. I also had to replace my windshield wiper motor a few times slapped against my windshield and cracked windshield.

WHENEVER WE FUEL OUR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE CXS IT WOULD NOT FULLY START AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, IT WOULD RUN THE BATTERY DOWN. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT IF WE RAPIDLY PUMP THE ACCELERATOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO START IT WOULD PICK UP AND FULLY START. THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING AND IS STILL DOING, REGARDLESS OF THE FUEL STATION (EXXON-MOBILE, SHELL, MURPHY/WALMART, CITGO, CHEVON, VALERO, FUEL DEPOT, ECT.). HERE IS A LIST OF THINGS WE HAVE ATTEMPTED: 1) WITH THE GAS TANK AT ABOUT HALF, OPEN THE GAS TANK PUT THE GAS PUMP INTO THE TANK, DON'T PUMP ANY GAS, CLOSE THE TANK, START THE VEHICLE (MAYBE OPENING THE TANK WAS THE CULPRIT): ALL IS FINE. 2) WITH THE TANK AT ABOUT HALF, FULL THE TANK (DIFFERENT STATION), START THE VEHICLE: ALL IS BAD. 3) WITH THE TANK AT ABOUT EMPTY, FULL THE TANK (DIFFERENT STATION), START THE VEHICLE: ALL IS BAD. 4) WITH THE TANK AT ABOUT QUARTER, FULL TO HALF TANK (DIFFERENT STATION), START THE VEHICLE: ALL IS BAD. MY CONCLUSION IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS CREATING THE PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. BEFORE REACHING THIS POINT, I HAD TO CALL FOR ROAD SERVICE TWICE. IN THE FIRST CASE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NOTHING AND THE SECOND WE JUMPED THE VEHICLE.

MY WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACED I'M NOT SURE WHEN IT HAPPENED IT JUST DID. ALSO MY ABS LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT'S ABOUT OR WHAT IT MEANS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-SKID DEVICE ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the air bag did not deploy. As a result, the driver hit his head on the headrest. The driver did seek medical attention for his injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. In addition, the seat belt retractor latches were not able to be used after the rear-ended accident. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ACCIDENT OF ANY SORT. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT! GM DOES NOT WANT TO BE LIABLE. IM A SINGLE MOM. IM $2000 AWAY FROM PAYING THE CAR OFF, TO BE CAR NOTE FREE AS I HAVE A DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE. I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED REGULARLY . THEIR DATA IS INCORRECT.

The contact owns a 2011 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it started on its own and would shut down on its own. The contact heard a roaring noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 72,000.

UPON LEAVING DEALERSHIP AFTER PURCHASE OF NEW CAR, TURNED RIGHT TO EXIT AND TRANSMISSION JUMPED INTO NEUTRAL, ALMOST REAR-ENDED. THOUGHT I MAY HAVE HIT SHIFTER. ANOTHER TURN FROM STOP AND TRANS JUMPED INTO NEUTRAL DURING TURN WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC. JUST MISSED BEING HIT AND PERHAPS KILLED. MANUALLY RETURNED TO "D". LIFE THREATENING DEFECT. RET TO DEALER AND DEMONSTRATED. NEXT DAY DEALER ADVISED THAT A "MODULE" ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS BY GM MFG. ADVISED GM DAY AFTER OCCURRENCE. LATER GM CALLED AND TOLD ME CAR HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND GET IT OR "THEY" WOULD CHARGE ME STORAGE. OBVIOUSLY, AFTER EXPOSING WIFE AND MYSELF TO GREAT RISK, WE DID NOT WANT THAT VEHICLE. NOW GM WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME AS I TRY TO ENSURE THAT THE AUTOS PRODUCED PRIOR AND POST TO MINE WERE VERIFIED TO ENSURE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE SAME LIFE THREATENING DEFECT AND REACT ACCORDINGLY. GM SEEMS NOT TO CARE. PLS NOTE: THE CAR "DROPPED" FROM DRIVE IN NEUTRAL EVERYTIME I ACCELERATED FROM A TURN INTO TRAFFIC. THIS PROBLEM WAS DEMONSTRATED TO THE DEALER; DEALER SAID PARK IT NOW. QUESTION IS HOW MANY BUICKS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THIS VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. THE 2 TIMES THIS HAPPENED, PRIOR TO KNOWLEDGE OF THE/A PROBLEM, IF I HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO "DRIVE" AND PROCEED WITH MAXIMUM ACCELERATION, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN UNQUESTIONABLY HIT BY APPROACHING CARS. HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING, HER REACTION WOULD HAVE BEEN SLOWER AND SHE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. THIS IS LIFE THREATENING. I DELAYED CONTACTING THE NTSB IN THAT I BELIEVED GM WOULD TAKE ACTION. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE SITUATION. HELP - LIVES ARE DEFINITELY AT RISK IF ANY CARS PRIOR TO OR AFTER MINE HAVE THIS DEFECT. SUSPECT POORLY TRAINED INDIVIDUAL ON THE LINE THAT DAY "FILLING" IN. POOR ENGINEERING AS DEALER STATED THE PART WAS SO DESIGNED AS IT COULD BE INSTALLED BACKWARDS. PLEASE CONFIRM YOU ARE TAKING ACTION AS THIS IS A CRITICAL DEFECT THAT COULD VERY EASILY RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY AS I CANNOT CONFIRM GM ACTION. *TR

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. ON THREE OCCASIONS THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM HAS SWITCHED TO HEAT AND HIGH FAN, LOCKING THE DRIVER OUT OF THE CONTROLS AND CAUSING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TO BECOME EXTREMELY HOT AND UNCOMFORTABLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON ONE OCCASION, TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE CAR. THE SYSTEM RETURNED TO NORMAL. ON TWO OF THE THREE OCCASIONS, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. ON ONE OCCASION IT HAPPENED IN THE GARAGE. DASH LIGHTS - WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ALL PASSENGER COMPARTMENT LIGHTS WENT OFF FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, AND THEN CAME BACK ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE BATTERY. THEY FOUND NO COMPUTER CODES TO EXPLAIN THE MALFUNCTION.

FRONT LEFT TIRE AND RIM CAME OFF. SPOKE OF THE WHEEL REMAINED. LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW. FRAGMENTS FROM LEFT FRONT WHEEL PIERCED TIRE. POLICE REPORT 31-798-12... UPDATED 11/07/12 *BF