2013 Buick Lacrosse Engine Problems

Today is 8.26.2025, I took this car back and left it w/dealership: Let them figure it out! I told them 0ne month after purchase this car is constantly EMPTY with no/Oil. I should not be getting oil changes this often. "Oh, it just burns more Oil and you bought a USED car"...Months later I hear smalls sounds, engine light comes on, then goes away, smoke begans to continue spreading behind the BUMPER building a permanent black spot on bumper! It smells, from time to time, plus car feels sluggish when driving past 50mph almost SCARED it will cut off** Now, I gather my funds that I don't have to SPEND (CASH) no CREDITCARD and I proceed to BELLE TIRE! I am on file within their system. (Receipts) They do what they do... apparently no Leaks. But the car is burning too much oil!! too Fast! "Keep an Eye on your Levels"... hmmm* I also got a MAINTENANCE TUNE-UP on my next visit. So far roughly $2000 has been SPENT towards this VEHICLE (Buick). (New Battery also) plus AAA Cost *I have a Membership* Now time continues to move forward this car KNOCKING,CLOUDS of SMOKE, In the car, Outside the car, Around the Car, thru the vents, PULLING, STAHLING, KNOCKING, CLUNCK,CLUNCK,; EMBARASSING!!! My son and I, Oh no... *We the Meat Inside a Barbecue Grill* DROP OFF/ASAP (pulled over Called AAA). (7/24/2024 - 8/25/2025)Owned this car 1Yr!! I need a New Car they wont give me one...I made every monthly payment On time all by WESTERN UNION (receipts). I go into the same store each month 19th -22nd and PAY. They don't want to TRADE-IN either*

NHTSA ID

11683040

Incident

Aug 25, 2025

Well the belt tensioner and the hybrid motor Drive Motor Performance and Hybrid Power train Control Module Requested MIL Illumination Yes not just any mechanic can work on the car because of the hybrid system is to much voltage And the check engine light came on the car

NHTSA ID

11676340

Incident

Jul 24, 2025

The bolt that secures the Serpentine belt tensioner unit to the motor block has repeatedly snapped apart leaving the tensioner unit to dangle from the block. Not secured, which causes the belt to dislodge or break (both have happened) the spring is left to flail about as is the tensioner unit since it is no longer connected to the engine block. Not to say where the other half of the bolt could end up. So far each time it snaps in half the other half remains in the block. But the unit is no longer secured to the block. While driving when this occurs makes controling the vehichle unsafe. It loses power and or surges at will. A hope to make it to the side of the road without crashing or causing a crash is an issue. I cannot afford a repair establishment, a family member does my repairs. ... There has been no other inspection of the issue. As for warning lights. No. Everything is fine until the unit is jiggled away from the block after the bolt snaps in half. The force of the tensioner unit action (im assuming) is too much for the bolt - causing it to snap in two. It has occurred 2 times the second was the beginning of Feb 2025 and the first about 9 to 10 months earlier in 2024. The belt has also broken off before but the unit remained attatched to the block that time. I did see on youtube that others have had the bolt snap. Like it is not strong enough for the job it has to perform. Hope u can help

NHTSA ID

11642962

Incident

Apr 10, 2024

The "auto stop" on my car, when I was at stoplights or stop signs, would not automatically restart. The engine failed to start again when stopped in "idle"..

NHTSA ID

11580275

Incident

Apr 9, 2022

Stalls when going up hill or if I stop at stop light and then try to proceed it jerk and go fast and also the display goes out and restart

NHTSA ID

11538009

Incident

Aug 11, 2023

The contact’s wife owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that on several occasions while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle lunged forward and the engine stalled; however, after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and then lunged forward. The contact stated that the engine engaged at low speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer where it was diagnosed that the main drive belt and valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve cover needed to be tightened but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,907.

NHTSA ID

11495509

Incident

Mar 30, 2022

Mileage

83,907 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there were no compressions on the engine and cylinders due to a possible fractured timing chain and damaged valves. The dealer also informed the contact there was no oil in the engine; however, the contact had replaced the engine oil 2-3 weeks prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V173000 (Electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11460766

Incident

Aug 15, 2021

Mileage

88,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that after reversing out of the garage and parking in the driveway, turning the vehicle off and removing the ignition key however, approximately 30 minutes later the vehicle started independently. The ignition key had to be used to turn the engine off. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The contact indicated that the failure posed a severe carbon monoxide hazard. The failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA ID

11458286

Incident

Mar 19, 2022

Mileage

63,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11435709

Incident

Oct 6, 2021

The contact owns a 2013 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and she heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive to her destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the generator control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11434138

Incident

Aug 23, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AS WELL AS OTHER 2.4 LITRE GM ENGINES WHERE THE PCV VALVE MAY BECOME CLOGGED AND IF IT IS NOT FIXED IT CAN CAUSE THE REAR OIL SEAL TO BE DAMAGED, HENCE RENDERING THE ENGINE USELESS. THERE IS A SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETIN THAT COVER THIS VEHICLE AND OTHERS UNDER CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS. HOWEVER MY VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IS OVER $1`,000 TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX. AFTER TALKING TO BUICK, EVEN THOUGH I AM WITHIN COVERAGE DATES AND WELL BELOW THE MILEAGE, MY VEHICLE DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIR AND I MUST PAY FOR IT OUT OF POCKET, DESPITE IT BEING A KNOWN ISSUE IN OTHER VEHICLES. THIS SHOULD BE MOVED FROM A SPECIAL COVERAGE TO A RECALL FOR ANY AFFECTED VEHICLES UNDER THE 10 YEAR, 120,000 MILE THRESHOLD.

NHTSA ID

11426720

Incident

Jul 19, 2021

CONSTANTLY BEEN HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS. ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF. I WAS DRIVING IT DOWN A HIGHWAY, COMING TO A STOP DUE TO A RED LIGHT WHEN THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY CAR BEGIN TO SPUTTER AND GAVE OUT. IT READ "STABILTRAK" BUT WHEN TAKEN TO THE SHOP IT ONLY READ A CODE FOR THE CARBON FILTER. WHICH, WAS CHANGED AND DID FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR THE TIME BEING. HOWEVER, ITS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN.. WHICH IS VERY DISSAPOINTING BECAUSE ITS A VERY WELL KEPT UP WITH CAR, NEVER GOES WITHOUT ITS NECESSITIES.. AND AT THIS POINT I'M THINKING IT COULD BE MY BRAKING SYSTEM DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WEAKENING MY BRAKES BUT I DON'T SEE WHY BECAUSE THOSE WERE CHANGED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. MAYBE, EVEN AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY TRACTION CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

11405470

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

169,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE GAS CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD THE REPAIRS COMPLETED BUT SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY AT A GAS STATION, HE BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL STAIN UNDER THE GAS CAP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER CAPITOL BUICK GMC (909 CAPITOL EXPRESSWAY AUTO MALL, SAN JOSE, CA 95136, (408) 445-2500) AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.

NHTSA ID

11387226

Incident

Dec 1, 2020

Mileage

83,000 mi

MY 2013 BUICK LACROSSE HAS A MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WHICH IT ALREADY RECALLED BY GM BUT MY CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF MY VIN THE MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CAUSE MY CAR TO GO INTO LIMP MODE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET IN TRAFFIC

NHTSA ID

11365731

Incident

Aug 22, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

MY CAR CUTS OFF AND GIVES WARNING OF BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE WHEN I SLOW TO STOP AT RED LIGHTS OR TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY.. I'VE CHANGED THE BELT AND IT'S STILL DOING IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2017 AND I AM CONCERNED THAT MAYBE THE RECALL WASNT CHANGED FOR EASSIST COMPONENTS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD. I CANT STEARNS MY CAR BECAUSE IT'S TOO HARD WHEN ENGINE KILLS. IT ITS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING MAJOR IS WRONG.

NHTSA ID

11350734

Incident

Aug 17, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHEN THE CAR HAD MILEAGE IN THE MID-UPPER 30,000 IN 2018, WE NOTICED THAT AS THE SPEED COASTED DOWN TO 30MPH, THERE WAS A HARD DOWNSHIFT. SO HARD, YOU THOUGHT THE ENGINE FELL OUT OF THE CAR. AT THE TIME WE HAD NOT REALIZED IT ONLY DID THIS WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD. SO, WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IN 12/2019, WE LEFT IT OVERNITE AND THEY "DID" REPLICATE THE ISSUE THE NEXT MORNING. THIS IS STATED ON OUR SERVICE BILL. THEY SUGGESTED A DEEP ATM FLUSH, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD A NORMAL FLUSH 18 MONTHS EARLIER WITH THEM. WE PAID THEM TO DO IT AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. SINCE WE SLOW DOWN EVERY TIME WE APPROACH A STOP SIGN OR STOPLIGHT, THIS OCCURS AS WE GET DOWN TO 30MPH. EXACTLY AT 30MPH!!! ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARM IT, WE DO NOT NOTICE THE ISSUE. BUT WE LIVE IN NORTHERN OHIO & THE NITES ARE COLD OCT-APRIL. WE DROVE THE CAR TO WARM MIAMI FL IN 1/2020. IT STILL DID IT, BUT ONLY A MILD DOWNSHIFT THEN QUICKLY DID NOT REPEAT AS THE TEMP WAS WARMER THERE. TO REDUCE THE HARDNESS OF THE DOWNSHIFT, WE HAVE REVERTED TO TRYING TO LET THE CAR WARM UP AFTER STARTING IT AND APPLYING THE BRAKES AS WE SLOW DOWN TO 30MPH! IT IS SAD THAT THIS HAS TO BE DONE, AS WE HAVE BEEN TAKING GREAT CARE OF THE CAR & IT ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. AND WE ARE NOT MOVING TO FL!!! WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW FROM THIS DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11310507

Incident

Jan 5, 2018

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. SPORADICALLY, WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE REVVED, THE RPMS INCREASED, AND THE ECO WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'RIELLY CHEVROLET (6160 E BROADWAY BLVD, TUCSON, AZ 85711, (520) 829-3876), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5654186782. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,002.

NHTSA ID

11281309

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

66,002 mi

IN 2018 THE AIR WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT CANE ON. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED AND THEN THE NEXT DAY THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD IT FIXED. THEY SAID THAT BATTERY WAS MISSING A CELL AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, FIXED THE AIR CONDITIONING BASICALLY FIXED ALL ISSUES. FAST FORWARD TO A YEAR TO THE DATE THE SAME ISSUE STARTED AGAIN IN THAT ORDER. THE CAR HAS OFFICIALLY CUT OFF AND I SEARCHED AND THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS COMING UP FOR MY VIN NUMBER.

NHTSA ID

11270145

Incident

Oct 21, 2019

Mileage

81,000 mi

I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED LAST YEAR AROUND THIS TIME WITH AN ISSUE SAYING THAT THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. AT THE TIME I HAD RECENTLY BOUGHT A BATTERY BUT THE SHOP INFORMED IT COULD BE DUE TO A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY 1 YEAR EXACTLY AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURS. IT START WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING DISPLAYED THEN IT WILL START SENDING THE MESSAGE AND BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANOTHER DEAD CELL BATTERY. THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE WITH THE CHARGING SYSTEM OF THESE CARS. THIS WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE WHEN IN ECO MODE TO RESTART CAUSE POWER LOSS WHE DRIVING AND ALSO CAUSE THE RADIO, NAVIGATION ECT TO LOSS BRIGHTNESS. THE CAR RELEASES LOUD SOUND FOR THE A/C AND DEFROST THUMPING AND TICKING ALSO SPUTTERING WHEN ACCELERATOR IS TOUCHED. EVEN WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR IS WHEN THIS IS HEARD REGARDING WHEN A/C HEAT OR DEFROST IS ON . THIS IS DURING DRIVING OR AFTER STARTING CAR. ORIGINALLY HAPPENED 10/12/18 HAPPENING AGAIN AS OF 10/18/2019

NHTSA ID

11269859

Incident

Oct 12, 2018

Mileage

71,000 mi

CAMSHAFT SENSOR FAILS REPEATEDLY, AFTER WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. THIS IS CAUSING THE MOTOR TO DIE AT DIFFERENT SPEED'S AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSTABLE. IT IS A LIABILITY TO OPERATE KNOWING ANY MINUTE THE CSPS CAN FAIL AND RENDER THE VEHICLE USELESS.

NHTSA ID

11234962

Incident

Jul 25, 2019

Mileage

106,225 mi

TAMARA RECALL-THE CAR ONLY HAS 67000 MILES ON IT, AND FOR SOME REASON IT IS USING OIL. THERE IS EXHAUST FUMES/SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONS WHERE IT HAS NOT STARTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW OFF OF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR IN 2014, AND THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT; AND INFORM ME THAT THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. WHY ALL OF THE SUDDEN IS THE OIL PRESSURE DOWN SO LOW AND MY WARRANTY WILL BE UP AT 70000 MILES. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO EXAMINE THE DRIVETRAIN AND OTHER COMPONENTS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY; BUT THEY REFUSED. ALSO THE SCREEN ON THE SATELLITE RADIO AND CLOCK FADES OUT AND COMES BACK ON. THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO PROVIDE A RESPONSE TO THIS AS WELL. I NEED ANSWERS TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BUT IF THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS; WHAT IS LEFT TO DO TO GET IT REPAIRED PROPERLY? THE CAR IS STATIONERY WHEN THE SCREEN FADES OUT AND ALSO THE INSIDE LIGHTS GO OUT PERIODICALLY AS WELL AS THE HEADLIGHTS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? WE NEED ASSISTANCE. GM NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THIS DEALERSHIP IS PROVIDING LESS THAN SATISFACTORY SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11113624

Incident

Jul 19, 2018

Mileage

65,500 mi

SERVICE STABILITRACK COMES ON AND REDUCES ENGINE POWER. HAPPENED THIS MORNING DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ALMOST CAUSED A HUGE WRECK BECAUSE I HAD NOWHERE TO GO AND COULDN'T GO THE FREEWAY SPEED.

NHTSA ID

11089549

Incident

Apr 23, 2018

Mileage

59,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,111.

NHTSA ID

11074555

Incident

Feb 21, 2018

Mileage

43,111 mi

THE CAR BUCKS AND STALLS WHILE IN MOTION

NHTSA ID

11023527

Incident

Sep 3, 2017

Mileage

27,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE SHIFTING GEARS. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ID

11018631

Incident

Feb 10, 2016

Mileage

43,000 mi