2011 Buick Lacrosse Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine losing power or stalling — sometimes followed by a diagnosis that the engine needs replacement, often well under 100,000 miles. A second cluster involves the climate control and defroster, which owners say stops responding and leaves the windshield fogged. Suspension noise and rear-end work, electrical gremlins, and a brake pedal that stays down appear as well, with most reports spread from roughly 30,000 to 150,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls or loses power; engine replacement

   • 39 complaints (23%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning while driving or accelerating from a stop, sometimes with a "reduced engine power" message or stability-control warning. Several owners say the vehicle restarted at first but then ran rough or would not start, and that the dealer found the engine needed replacement; others say a mechanic attributed the damage to internal engine parts. Some note the loss of power steering and power brakes when the engine cut out. Spread across the range, with many reports between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles and a few near 20,000-30,000 miles.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for oil-change records and whether the engine has ever been replaced or had internal repairs. During a test drive, listen for knocking or unusual noise and note any hesitation, misfire or reduced-power message.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2011 Buick Lacrosse (60,000 miles - properly maintained by 73 year old man) broke down on interstate hwy. While vacationing in knoxville, tn - Buick begins to stall and the engine light came on (was flickering and no acceleration). We stopped immediately at a gas station and called aaa - who towed us to a certified aaa repair/tow company. We initially suspected it would be the fuel pump or filter . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10920427, filed 2016-11, 60,000 miles

   “The car was just purchased on 112619 and the day I bought I got warning light on dash next day car is in reduced power mode, took back to carmax to have this issue resolved they cleaned tps adv it was dirty poor contact. Two days later the light is back on this time the car is sent to Buick dealership in gilbert they replaced the throttle position sensor and I was told issue is fixed 24 hours later car is back in reduced power mode”

   NHTSA complaint #11288482, filed 2019-12, 55,900 miles
2. 2
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Climate control and defroster stop working

   • 23 complaints (14%)
   • median 91,950 mi at 7.7 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2025

   Owners report the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls stop responding, so the windshield fogs and the defroster will not clear it. Some say the system blows warm air when set to cool, or takes 20-30 minutes to defrost; complaints mention dealer visits that either could not duplicate the problem or resulted in an HVAC replacement. A few owners say they were told their vehicle was not covered by the related recall. Reported from very low mileage up to about 150,000 miles, in all seasons.

   Recall 11V149000

   What to check: With the engine running, cycle the defroster, A/C and temperature settings and confirm airflow changes and the windshield clears. Ask whether the climate-control software recall (11V149000) was performed on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ii cannot control the defroster or fan control. The VIN. No. Says this was on recall . But the Buick dealer in my area said it no a recall on 2011 Buick Lacrosse. They want a hundred dollars to correct this problem . Sometimes this work and other with no luck. Isome times have to wait up to 20 to 30 minute before I can the defrost the windshield so I drive !!!!!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #11377872, filed 2020-12, 72,700 miles

   “Federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103 windshield defrosting and defogging system and I don't know if its effecting my A/C to I have taken it everywhere to get fix and no one fixes it completely stills blow cool not cold like it is supposed to.”

   NHTSA complaint #11326885, filed 2020-06, 120,000 miles
3. 3
   Suspension

   Rear-end noise, struts and tie-link repairs

   • 24 complaints (14%)
   • median 29,800 mi at 4.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2022

   Complaints describe thumping, clunking or rattling from the rear over bumps or while braking, with shaking at speed. Some owners say the dealer replaced rear brakes, struts and shocks but the noise returned; others report that a rear tie link or bolt failed, and one complaint says the part was no longer available for repair. Front-end knocking over bumps is also mentioned. Mostly reported between roughly 10,000 and 90,000 miles, with some reports well past 100,000 miles.

   Recall 21V00F000Recall 20V7640002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the rear toe-link recall (20V764000 / 21V00F000) was completed, and listen for rear clunks over bumps on a test drive. Check for leaking struts or shocks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We bought a new 2011 Buick Lacrosse cxs 11-15-10, drove it 200 miles and the front suspension failed in costco parking lot at 10 MPH and no impact. The rim popped open at the center seam creating a big oval opening that locked up on the brake caliper, stopping the wheel which snapped the tie rod end, letting the tire wedge into the inner fender then the a-arm bent and caused some damage to the engine cradle. My wife cracked her head on the side window it went down so fast. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10370855, filed 2010-12, 200 miles

   “I was driving our Buick Lacrosse with 3036 miles on it, at 58 MPH, when the wheel began to jerk back & forth violently. I was skidding down the road unable to steer. I was able to get to the side of the road and eventually have the car towed in. The right rear tie rod bolt had broken. When this happened the suspension control arm was bent. Both parts have been replaced.. We were told they had not seen this happen before and no explanation as to what would have made it happen.”

   NHTSA complaint #10394279, filed 2011-04, 3,036 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: dead battery, no start, warnings

   • 13 complaints (8%)
   • median 54,089 mi at 5.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2024

   Owners describe the car going completely dead or failing to start, sometimes with many warning messages on the display, and occasionally the engine starting or shutting off on its own. Complaints mention repeated tows and dealers updating multiple electronic modules without finding a specific cause; others mention wiring damage and one owner reported burned wires. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 150,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that the battery is recent and holds charge, and ask whether any modules were reprogrammed. Note any warning lights or messages during a cold start and a short drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Every time I will drive for so long I'd lose all power radio dash lights headlights everything and start blinking and going out and finally the car was just die. Come to find out it is electrical issues and it's costing me more than the car is worth to even get it back from the shop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11233569, filed 2019-07, 107,000 miles

   “Vehicle completely dead after all types of electrical messages displayed when trying to start. Car was stationary both times. This first happened early feb 2016; then repeated similar scenario 20 days later. Car was towed both times. Low mileage 52,278 miles. Messages generic, dealer could not determine problem and contacted the GM customer center also. Nothing done first time. Second time dealer started updating all the electronic modules-although again no specific cause and effect could be identified. Modules updated (ebcm, bcm ECM, etc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10893308, filed 2016-08, 51,542 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal stays down after braking

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 33,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2023

   Owners report the brake pedal does not return after braking, so the brakes stay partly applied and the brake lights remain on; they say they must pull the pedal up by hand. Complaints describe the problem as intermittent and note extra drag and faster pad and rotor wear. A separate group of complaints describes instances where the car did not stop or seemed to accelerate when braking, which is a different concern. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 80,000 miles.

   What to check: After a test drive, check that the brake pedal returns fully and that the brake lights go out. Ask whether the pedal assembly or brake switch has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11326562, filed 2020-05, 135,452 miles

   “Brake pedal does not raise after applying brakes. Brakes remain engaged causing drag and brake lights stay on. Intermittent problem. Must pull pedal back up to stop braking action and get brake lights to turn off. Dangerous situation that can cause damage to brake rotors and pads to wear out quickly.”

   NHTSA complaint #11340198, filed 2020-07, 75,300 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the engine (records, noise, any past replacement), the climate control and defroster operation, and the rear suspension. Confirm in writing which open recalls have been completed on the specific vehicle before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.