NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Buick Lacrosse Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2012 Buick Lacrosse has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 206 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buick dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Buick Lacrosse, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Buick Lacrosse owner complaints
Owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse, describing incidents dated June 17, 2011 to September 9, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 62 complaints
- Engine 51 complaints
- Suspension 31 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 25 complaints
- Power Train 24 complaints
- Steering 24 complaints
Of the 206 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 206 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11765050 · Filed
**Subject:** Formal Safety Defect Complaint: Premature Failure of Completed Recall Remedy (NHTSA Campaign 13V173000 / GM Recall 13136) Resulting in Sudden Loss of Power Steering **VEHICLE INFORMATION** * **Year/Make/Model:** 2012 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid (eAssist) * **VIN:** [XXX] * **Current…
ODI #11753857 · Filed
Shows service stability track
ODI #11750341 · Filed
I was driving my car the engine turned off by itself everything locked up when i stop i tried to start it again and it just clicked, I thought it was the battery got a new battery started up drove it about a half mile did it again turned off everything locked up
Owner-reported
2012 Buick Lacrosse mileage at failure
137 of the 206 complaints on file for the 2012 Buick Lacrosse give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.
| Component | Median | Middle half | Based on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Median 55,000 miles | Middle half 25,000–70,000 miles | Based on 43 complaints |
A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.
Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.
These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.
Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.
Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Buick Lacrosse in 2 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Audit Query AQ14-001: Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
Closed May 22, 2016
- Recall Query RQ13-003: Generator Control Module Fires
Closed July 22, 2014
Rear Toe Links May Fracture
NHTSA #21V00F000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice
Reported December 22, 2021 · General Motors, LLC
Potentially affected: 4,271 vehicles
Repair completion: 57.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign N212346640 · Owners notified January 27, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Rear Toe Links May Fracture
NHTSA #20V764000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice
Reported December 21, 2020 · General Motors, LLC
Potentially affected: 220,006 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign N202308930 · Owners notified August 19, 2021
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Seat Height Adjuster Bolt may Fall out
NHTSA #14V447000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Power Adjust · NHTSA notice
Reported July 23, 2014 · General Motors LLC
Potentially affected: 414,333 vehicles
Repair completion: 75.49% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 14271 · Owners notified December 26, 2014 · Vehicles built April 5, 2011 – August 1, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Hybrid Charging System/Possible Fire or Stall
NHTSA #13V173000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported May 6, 2013 · General Motors LLC
Potentially affected: 42,904 vehicles
Repair completion: 93.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign 13136 · Owners notified June 11, 2013 · Vehicles built November 16, 2010 – June 14, 2012 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM FMVSS 126
NHTSA #11V404000 · Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · NHTSA notice
Reported August 3, 2011 · GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Potentially affected: 4,077 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 11222 · Owners notified August 12, 2011 · Vehicles built June 9, 2011 – July 2, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
GM'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 11222.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Other Buick Lacrosse model years
Check your 2012 Buick Lacrosse VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buick Lacrosse at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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