Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Buick Lacrosse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving on the 99 freeway when my car turned completely off! I could have been killed!!!!! The check engine light came on and service stabilitrak was on the screen. Then it would not start. There was no warning at all. I got it fixed (so I thought by one mechanic) and it happened again. So I took it to the Buick dealer and they fixed it(so I thought) and it happened again. It is now at the Buick dealership and they told me it is the control module on the computer and quoted me 996 dollars!!!! I looked up online and found that other people have had the same problem with their 2010 Buick Lacrosse. Seems to be a manufacturers defect and needs to be reported and recalled.
I get Reduced Engine Power and Service Stabilitrak messages. Engine Code P2138 is prevalent. The car will not accelerate, nor maintain highway speeds, forcing the driver to pull off the road and shut off the car. The warning message returns under normal driving conditions. This code points to several components [Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor, Throttle Body Assembly with Sensor, Manifold Absolute Position (MAP) Sensor, etc...] All of which I have replaced. It is rumored that General Motors knows that it is a problem and the true fix is to replace the wire(s) and seal or replace the connector. Refer to GM Technical Service Document 070604019F
The car continues to have serious engine issues. I keep getting a service Stability track and Engine Power Reduced warning. It has happened to me on the expressway and the car will not accelerate past 20 miles per hour. I had the car repaired on October of last year (3 months ago) and the issue persists. I decided to research online and this seems to be a major issue going on with Buicks. It sounds like GM has done nothing to remedy the malfunction. Many people state that even the dealers can seem to fix the issues and have no clue as to why this happens. This is a serious and life threatening mechanical failure that needs to be addressed.
I purchased a vehicle August 2, 2024 from Kingdom auto sales. The car was inspected July 2024 in which it passed shortly after the car wouldn't go over 40 mph. It would say it's an over speed. The car runs hot and the parking assist light won't go off May 25, 2025 I was driving on the highway in the car lost power and the speed was reduced after getting off the highway lost control of the steering wheel due to the stability and hit a guard rail. no reports was made. I contacted the dealership in which I haven't been contacted and problem not resolved.
Electronic Stability Control Systems (ESC) activates a couple times a week every other month for several years. Multiple Warning lights flash, needles on two dials rotate erratically resulting in sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, and on wet roads which cause me difficulty in maintaining the vehicle's desired path of travel and desired vehicle speed, and could result in a crash without warning. I have a video. Its scary. Had it looked at twice and paid a lot but it keeps happening.
Driving at nite to er and on way I thought I must have hit ignition button but car just locked up lost all power. I called GM they got back to me said they would be sending someone to see car. I did reck car not to bad but bad enough to take hole front bumper off. I am so mad because I thought I was crazy thinking car would just loos all power and even locked me in car could not open door thank god window was down. But they said they were coming to see me and car but never did
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Buick Lacrosse. While driving 60 MPH, the engine caught fire without warning. The fire department was notified, but the vehicle was no longer on fire when they arrived. The vehicle was towed to an independent facility. The contact stated that the wiring harness under the hood was melted from the fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 12/30/15
I moved my car out of the driveway so my neighbor could plow. He said he smelled something while I was in my car across from our driveway. I put the vehicle in park, pushed shut off/turn off button, vehicle instantaneously filled with dark rolls of smoke coming from the passenger side from the front of the vehicle under the hood. I grabbed the door handle jumped out. My neighbor came running telling me to disengage the hood, I complied. Flames shot up and out from under the hood as it was being released. He threw a lot of snow on the fire extinguishing it. We inhaled the most obnoxious fumes from any automobile I have had the displeasure of having in my company. Car will not start. After this, my husband came out to see what all the yelling was about. My neighbor explained it to him and he unhooked the battery. The car is still parked at the scene of the fire. …
As im traveling to my mothers house on August 27 2017 my engine just completely shuts down and wouldn't start back up. The same week it was having problems starting or wouldn't turn over to start. My daughter drove my car to o'realiys auto part store to get something for her car, get in to leave and it wouldn't start. A mechanic from the store hooked it to the diagnostic machine and it read a delay in the start up. He start moving a couple of wires on the starter to see if that would help and it did. He told my daughter don't cut it off until you get home because he May do it again and suggested I put a new starter on it. I took his advice and bought one and had it installed the same day. When done it started with no problems and the next day while driving is when the engine shuts down while driving. …
Approximately two months after purchasing a Buick Lacrosse I started to experience the vehicle shutting down when the car was parked or idle. Shortly after the check engine light came on. I then took the vehicle to the dealer and they claim they could not find anything wrong with it. I decided to get a second opinion so I took the vehicle to another certied repair shop and they suggested that I get and upper engine flush. Supposedly because this type of vehicle is known for massive amounts of carbon build up. So, I got the upper engine flush on my vehicle but the very next day the check engine light came on again. The. Machanic advised me that it would take more than one engine flush to fix the problem. So after not two but three upper engine flushes the problem of having the check engine light intermittently display is not resolved . …
Electrical complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2010 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Buick Lacrosse, 24% of the model year's 189 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2010 Buick Lacrosse, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.