This page covers 6 recalls, 198 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Buick Lacrosse.
20–21 mpg combined
11.2–11.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2012 Buick LaCrosse spread fairly evenly across electrical, engine, and suspension systems. On the electrical side, owners frequently report the StabiliTrak stability control system triggering unexpectedly, warning lights illuminate, the system activates or deactivates without apparent cause, and some owners describe the car jerking, losing power, or behaving erratically while these warnings are active. Engine complaints center on timing-related issues, with owners reporting repeated camshaft position sensor or timing solenoid failures alongside persistent check engine codes. Suspension complaints round out the top three, with owners describing noise, looseness, or handling changes over time. A recurring thread across categories involves the electronic stability and traction control systems behaving inconsistently, sometimes accompanied by simultaneous check engine and ESC warning lights that prove difficult to clear permanently.
198
Total Complaints
10
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
5
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Buick LaCrosse has 6 recalls, the most serious affecting eAssist-equipped models where a faulty generator control module can drain the battery, stall the engine, and in some cases cause smoke or a fire in the trunk.
On eAssist models, the battery drain may also trigger the check engine light, and if the engine stalls in traffic, the risk of a crash rises depending on road conditions and driver response. The electronic stability control system carries two related concerns: on certain vehicles, the StabiliTrak system may have been incorrectly calibrated, preventing it from detecting a faulty sensor and leaving the warning light dark even when the system is not working properly. This can cause the system to activate unexpectedly, producing sudden changes in handling and deceleration that are especially difficult to manage at higher speeds. There is also a rear suspension concern that applies to vehicles registered in certain northern and mid-Atlantic states where road salt is common: a rear toe link can fracture, reducing the driver's ability to steer and control the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear toe links may lack proper corrosion protection coating, causing it to become brittle and chip away when hit by road debris. Exposed metal corrodes over time, thinning the toe link until it fractures.
What the fix does
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear toe links received excessive coating that becomes brittle and breaks away from road debris. As the coating chips off, the metal corrodes. Over time, corrosion can cause the toe link to thin and fracture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and fasteners at no cost. Parts are not yet available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Generator Control Module may not work properly, causing the battery to gradually lose charge and the check engine light to come on.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the Generator Control Module and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Generator Control Module on eAssist-equipped vehicles may malfunction, causing the battery to gradually lose charge. This can trigger a warning light and eventually stall the engine. In rare cases, the module may overheat, producing burning smells, smoke, or fire in the trunk.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the Generator Control Module and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The StabiliTrak system may have been incorrectly calibrated at the factory. If a sensor malfunctions, the warning light may not turn on, and the electronic control system could falsely activate, causing unexpected changes in handling and braking.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module to correct the calibration.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The StabiliTrak stability control system has incorrect calibration that prevents it from detecting sensor malfunctions. The warning light won't turn on when the system fails, as required by safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module at no cost to restore proper system monitoring and warning light function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
