2016 Buick Lacrosse Problems
Compared with other Buick Lacrosse years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
22/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.5× that of a typical Buick Lacrosse year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 14 of its 48 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Steering (12 complaints, median 25,549 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 48filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The part named most often is steering, with 12 complaints (25% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (7) and air bags (6). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 68% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1,241 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 26 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 92 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 9 Buick Lacrosse model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 22 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering12 25%
- Air bags6 13%
- Brakes4 8.3%
- Other or unknown4 8.3%
- Electrical system3 6.3%
- Engine3 6.3%
- Fuel system3 6.3%
Also reported: Seat belts (2), Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “Service: power steering drive with care as I turned on my street. As I turned to park the steering wheel was very hard to turn. Went to check power steering fluid, no power steering pump. This vehicle has electric power steering, however fuse #23 is a 10 am fuse but it was good. There is no 80 amp fuse on the battery post. This is a hazard and should be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11390026, filed 2021-01, 11,016 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “At 25 - 30 MPH and at 45 - 50 MPH the car shakes violently. I took it to the dealership for a diagnostic. They said they knew exactly what it was. I need a new lower and upper transmission. That is the recommended fix. That is something that happens to chevy transmissions and the cost is $5400. It seems to me that if this is something that goes wrong all the time, that's a problem that I did not create. My vehicle is worth less than the cost of the fix and I still owe more than twice the cost of the fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11385552, filed 2020-12, 162,000 milesAir bags: “The contact owns a 2016 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11638093, filed 2025-01, 98,000 milesVehicle speed control: “Adaptive cruise engages antilock brakes in a random manner even when no car is in front of you when the vehicle is in motion at a variety of different speeds. Has happened multiple times for several months.”
NHTSA complaint #11133159, filed 2018-10, 40,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
68% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,826 and 78,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lacrosse · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 · 11.8% risk |
| Lacrosse · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 · 11.8% risk |
| Lacrosse Eassist · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 · 11.8% risk |
| Lacrosse Eassist · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 · 11.8% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Buick Lacrosse version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaCrosse FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,200 |
| LaCrosse FWD | 3.6L 6-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,200 |
| LaCrosse AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| LaCrosse eAssist FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl · hybrid | 6-speed automatic | 24 | 35 | 28 | $2,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 17V437000Jul 10, 2017Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactiveCovers: Buick Lacrosse 2014–2016, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2014–2017, Corvette 2014–2017 +16 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and…
- 16V651000Sep 8, 2016Seat belts › PretensionerCovers: Buick Lacrosse 2014–2016, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2014–2017, Corvette 2014–2017 +16 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet…
Recall details for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,241 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11032947May 19, 2026Other or unknown. This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high…
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
Other model years of the Buick Lacrosse
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7 | 11,700 | 2 | 5 | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 12 | 26,600 | 3 | 5 | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 36 | 15,900 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 8 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2016 | 48 | 40,000 | 2 | 5 | 21 | 22 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 44 | 25,000 | 3 | 5 | 21 | 21 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 63 | 39,915 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 47 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 130 | 58,999 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 206 | 54,728 | 5 | 5 | 21 | 94 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 169 | 51,542 | 4 | 5 | 23 | 84 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 189 | 55,430 | 2 | — | 21 | 77 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 106 | 55,006 | 2 | — | 21 | 13 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2008 | 250 | 53,504 | 2 | — | 20 | 53 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 250 | 67,300 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 299 | 78,246 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 315 | 64,511 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Buick Lacrosse model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Buick Lacrosse have?
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Buick Lacrosse is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 12 complaints (25% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 7.
Has the 2016 Buick Lacrosse been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Buick Lacrosse do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Buick Lacrosse 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Buick Lacrosse get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Buick Lacrosse (LaCrosse, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Buick Lacrosse reported?
Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 13,826 and 78,000 miles; 68% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.