2012 Buick Lacrosse Driver assistance Problems

during a regular drive the check stabiltrack system message popped up on the dash in the middle circle and then the little car with the squiggly lines behind it popped up and the check engine light came on and started blinking. Immediately I noticed lack of steering control, the car's speed was accelerating and decelerating on its own, jerking and stalling also was observed. As of now the car sits in my driveway because I don't trust the safety of it. I literally feared my life was in danger driving it because of the lack of handling and the acceleration shifts that were so random. So I returned home, as I pulled into the yard the vehicle jerked hard while I was attempting turn into the driveway causing me to hit my mailbox and damaged the side fender and front bumper. no one was injured but the car was damaged as stated before and I'm scared to drive it anywhere. The unpredictable behavior displayed in the vehicle puts other drivers at risk as well because I can't control the vehicle properly. so I'm guessing all in all its a malfunction somewhere in the electrical system. I have read about recalls in my type of vehicle involving the ESC and it appears to be what is happening with mine. As of now it sits in my driveway I need a remedy and fast because that was my only source of transportation and I'm a single mother of four with a lot to take of and no way to do it.

NHTSA ID

11697783

Incident

Oct 19, 2025

Improperly calibrated Stabilitrak ESC system. Accelerator pedal position sensors 1-2 5v reference 3 circuit Heated oxygen 2 sensor Car is losing power and esc light is on along with check engine light

NHTSA ID

11652672

Incident

Apr 3, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11572128

Incident

Jan 18, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11568709

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

Mileage

150,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11526040

Incident

Jan 8, 2023

Mileage

122,000 mi

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).

NHTSA ID

11471805

Incident

Jun 29, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11466932

Incident

Jun 27, 2021

Mileage

56,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11466742

Incident

Jun 30, 2021

Mileage

56,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the electronic brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V404000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11461814

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

Mileage

96,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle decelerated inadvertently almost to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and another dealer Wilkins Buick-GMC (6913 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061) but there were no codes on the code reader. The dealers were unable to duplicate the failure after test driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at Buick-GMC (6913 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 54,456.

NHTSA ID

11426090

Incident

Jun 28, 2021

Mileage

54,456 mi

VEHICLE CUTS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF OR TWO AFTER IT GETS HOT FROM DRIVING. THEN HAVE TO WAIT A WHILE LIKE 10 15 MINUTES FOR EVERYTHING TO COOL DOWN AND IT WILL START BACK UP AGAIN NO PROBLEM. DRIVE 5 MINUTES MORE SHUTS DOWN REPEATEDLY. WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN THE DASHBOARD DISPLAYS SERVICE STABILITRAK CONTROL AND SERVICE ANTI THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM. NOTE. I'VE PUT A NEW STARTER ON. A NEW THROTTLE BODY. MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. UPSTREAM OXYGEN SENSOR. CHANGED THE OIL, CHECKED WIRES. CHANGED THE CABIN AIR FILTER. STILL NOT FIXED. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS WHAT SO EVER. SERVICE STABILITRAK AND ANTI THEFT IS ALL IT'S SHOWING.

NHTSA ID

11353864

Incident

Aug 26, 2020

Mileage

130,432 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE STABILI-TRAK AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR RANGE WAS DEFECTIVE. SWEENEY BUICK GMC (7997 MARKET ST, BOARDMAN, OH 44512) AND STADIUM GM SUPERSTORE INC (214 W STATE ST, SALEM, OH 44460) WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V404000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.

NHTSA ID

11343686

Incident

Aug 5, 2020

Mileage

61,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STABILITY TRACK CAN ON MY DASH AND THE CAR FREAKED OUT AND BREAKED REALLY HARD ! I STATED TO SPIN OUT AND THEN A LOUD CRACK THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE . WE ALMOST REALLY LOST OUR LIVES! THIS IS THE 12 TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN AND THE MECHANICS TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG THEY CAN SEE!! I'M TAKING IT TO BUICK TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP! SOMEBODY WILL GET SEVERELY HURT SOON OMG

NHTSA ID

11342049

Incident

Jul 22, 2020

Mileage

235,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSE HAD AN ENGINE REDUCED SPEED SIGNAL COME ON AND I CHECKED THE MENU TO SEE WHAT IT WAS ABOUT AND IT SAID THE STABILITY TRACK NEEDED TO BE SERVICED AND I GOOGLED WHAT THIS MEANT AND ON GOOGLE, GOOGLE READ THAT OTHER BUICK LACROSSE OF THE SAME YEAR HAD A RECALL WHEN I CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR MY CAR I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HASN'T HAD ANY RECALLS WHEN I JUST READ ON GOOGLE THAT THE SAME CAR AND YEAR HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

11320385

Incident

Apr 6, 2020

Mileage

113,000 mi

MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSES NEWEST PROBLEM IS ONE THAT ACTUALLY SCARES ME. I CAN BE DRIVING ALONG AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND IT WILL KINDA JERK A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN USUALLY IT WILL FLASH 'SERVICE THE STABILITY TRACK' THEN I LOSE POWER STEERING AND IT DIES. I'M LUCKY IF I CAN MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND THE HIGHWAYS AROUND HERE ARE TWO LANE WITH MINIMUM SHOULDERS. SO WHEN THE CAR DOES THIS IT IS DANGEROUS. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES NOW. IT WILL RESTART AFTER ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES AND DRIVE JUST FINE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AND NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE COMPUTER, EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD. BUT ITS NOT, THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST OF THE PROBLEMS I'VE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS CAR AND THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW.

NHTSA ID

11258473

Incident

Aug 19, 2019

Mileage

106,000 mi

STABILITY TRACKING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO KICK AND JURK COMES TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC . ELECTRONIC BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON , TELLING TO HAVE SERVICED. TOLD DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM .TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM RESET COMPUTER. DEALER CODE WAS. PROGRAMED IN AND CONTINUES TO ACT UP OVER AND OVER. WAS TOLD IT WAS A SHORT PROBLEM. TOLD ME THEY RESOLVED THE PROBLEM WITH A USED PUMP IN TRANSMISSION! SORRY TO SAY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11257875

Incident

Jul 2, 2019

Mileage

84,500 mi

MY VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE EXPRESS WAY. THEN IT WOULD NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. COMPUTER PUT OUT A CODE P062F. NOW I HAVE TO GET A JUMP ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY.

NHTSA ID

11253436

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

83,177 mi

VEHICLE STALLS AND IS STOPPING AFTER THE STABILITRAK LIGHT COMES ON ON THE FREE WAY AND STREETS. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL OF TIMES TO BE FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM COMES RIGHT BACK WITHIN DAYS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTENT SINCE 11/2018 AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE FIXED AS IF 5/2019.

NHTSA ID

11206632

Incident

May 9, 2019

Mileage

84,299 mi

TAKATA RECALL. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN IN THE MIDST OF 70 MPH TRAFFIC AND AS I PUSHED ON BRAKES MY VEHICLE JERKED. WHEN I TRIED TO SPEED BACK UP MY CAR SLOWLY ACCELERATED. I WAS TERRIFIED WHEN IT SLOWED DOWN BECAUSE THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT ME. MY CAR IS NOW GIVE ME A WARNING SIGN 'STABILIZE TRACK ASSIST' BUT I HAD MY BREAKS CHECK AND THEY WERE FINE. NOW I START TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL SOMETIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11205612

Incident

Apr 30, 2019

Mileage

158,000 mi

THE CAR STOPS RUNNING IT SHUTS OFF. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID

11202822

Incident

Apr 17, 2019

Mileage

79,000 mi

DRIVING MY CAR WAS JUST GREAT ON MY 81ST DAY OF OWNERSHIP IT ALL CHANGED I WAS LEAVING A RED LIGHT IN VICKSBURG OFF THE INTERSTATE ONTO WARRENTON RD I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF ALL POWER TO EVERYTHING IN THE VEHICLE AND IF ANYONE IS FAMILIAR WITH THAT ROAD THE ARE HARDLY ANY ROOM TO PULL OVER SO BAD THAT IF I HAD A PASSENGER HEY WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE TO GET OUT OR ELSE SLIDE RIGHT INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, TALK ABOUT BAD TIMING WITH THE EXCEPTION FOR THE RADIO THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY CLICK ONCE NO ABNORMAL SMELLS SMOKE OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE ME TO THINK OF ANY ENGINE DAMAGE. AFTER HOURS OF WAITING THE TOW TRUCK CAME CHECKED THE CAR TRIED TO BOOST IT AND COULDN'T GET A CHARGE AFTER GETTING IT HOME I TOOK THE BATTERY TO THE ADVANCE AUTO PARTS TO CHARGE IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS A DEAD CELL SO J BROUGHT ANOTHER BATTERY GOT IT HOME JUST FOR IT TO CLICK STILL NO CRANK, IT'S PUSH TO START SO IT WAS JUST ONE SINGLE CLICK AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS THE ONLY LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE. SO I CALLED ONSTAR THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER IMMEDIATELY DUE TO A CHARGING ISSUE AFTER TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT'S THE MOTOR LOCKED UP WHICH IS OBSERD DUE TO THE FACT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF IT DOING ANYTHING ABNORMAL BEFORE IT SHUT DOWN AND WITH IT BEING NEW I WAS TOLD IT WOULD SHUT DOWN BEFORE IT RAN HOT AND MESS UP THE ENGINE AND ALSO MAKES ME WONDER WHY IT WOULD EVEN BE CONSIDERED BECAUSE OF THE FACT OF THE ENGINE PROTECTION MECHANISM. NOW THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP JUST SITTING THERE AND I HAVE NO WAY TO WORK AND STILL HAVE TO PAY CAR NOTE AND INSURANCE ON A VEHICLE I DON'T EVEN HAVE ACCESS TO ANYMORE. THE DEALERSHIP IS DIXON AUTO AND BODY SALES AND I'M STUCK WAITING WITH NOTHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO AS FAR AS A RIDE.

NHTSA ID

11194995

Incident

Mar 29, 2019

Mileage

107,666 mi

WHENEVER I PUT FUEL IN THE CAR IT HAS A HARD TIME STARTING AND WILL ALSO STALL OCCASIONALLY. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE JUNE 2018 AND I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC TRY TO FIX IT AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT'S CAUSING IT TO DO THIS. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS.

NHTSA ID

11141010

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

MY BATTERY HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES ALREADY WITH NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. ALSO, SERVICE STABILITYLINK KEEPS COMING ON AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE IT DISAPPEARS AND COME RIGHT BACK. WHEN I AM TAKING OFF GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY OR SPEEDING UP MY CAT STALLS BEFORE TAKING OFF.

NHTSA ID

11076802

Incident

Nov 3, 2014

WE PURCHASE A EASSIST 2012 BUICK LACROSSE IN FEB.2017 WITH 46845 MILES.WE RECENTLY STARTED HAVING SEVERAL ISSUE EITHER WHEN IN SLOW MOTION BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR TURNING ON A CITY STREET WITH THE CAR DOING A HARD JERK, SURGING FORWARD THEN LOOSING COMPLETE POWER! , NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE IN THE DARK AS ALL THE LIGHT SHUT OFF, CAN'T STEER THE CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING, ALL THE WHILE IN THE LINE OF TRAFFIC IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER PEOPLE YEARS AGO BY MY RESEARCH AND STILL NO RECALL?!?! JUST THE OTHER NIGHT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND WE WERE ABOUT 20 MINUTES FROM HOME AT NIGHT HAVING TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, FEELING THE CAR NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE AND FEELING THE SURGES WAS QUITE SCARY! WE HAVE HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON A FEW TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH BUT SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY WITHIN THE SAME DAY. ONE MORNING BEFORE WORK I NOTICED A MESSAGE ON THE DIC TO SERVICE STABILITRAK. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT THE ISSUE TO FIX IT OR TO GET THE CAR TO DO WHAT WE ARE TELLING THEM IT'S DOING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NO LONGER ON. AGAIN THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN THE LINE OF MOVING TRAFFIC IS UNACCEPTABLE AND MUST BE MADE RIGHT WITH THE CARS OWNER!

NHTSA ID

11062716

Incident

Dec 4, 2017

Mileage

54,086 mi

MY CAR WAS MOVING AND CUT OFF ON ME AND THEN AUTOMATICALLY RESTARTED WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THIS IS BEEN A GOING ON FOR A FEW DAYS NOW. SOMETIMES I RESTART IT MYSELF SOMETIMES IT AUTOMATICALLY RESTARTS. ENGINE LIGHT IS ON FOR A DAY AND THEN GOES OFF AND COMES BACK ON AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11048384

Incident

Nov 22, 2017

Mileage

52,894 mi