Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Buick Lacrosse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The stability trac and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided several unknown codes. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. The contact has stated that due to the seriousness of the problems, that they no longer own the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off with the stabili-trak warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers and the contact was informed that the computer and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V40400 (Electronic Stability Control) that he linked to the failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and shutoff independently. The stabili-trak warning light was flashing after the failure had occurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the failure was not covered under a recall. There was no assistance provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V404000 (Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the electronic brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V404000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after a while. The contact stated that the service stabili trac warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the error code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the error occurred several times. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.
I was driving my car down a interstate highway when all of a sudden the stability track can on my dash and the car freaked out and breaked really hard ! I stated to spin out and then a loud crack the lower control arm broke on the rear right side . We almost really lost our lives! This is the 12 time this has happen and the mechanics tell me nothing is wrong they can see!! I'm taking it to Buick to see what they say this should be recalled asap! Somebody will get severely hurt soon omg
We purchase a eassist 2012 Buick Lacrosse in feb.2017 with 46845 miles.we recently started having several issue either when in slow motion backing up out of a parking space or turning on a city street with the car doing a hard jerk, surging forward then loosing complete power! , not being able to see in the dark as all the light shut off, can't steer the car with no power steering, all the while in the line of traffic is definitely a safety issue that has been reported by other people years ago by my research and still no recall?!?! Just the other night the same thing happened and we were about 20 minutes from home at night having to travel through the mountains, feeling the car not wanting to accelerate and feeling the surges was quite scary! We have had the car looked at but they couldn't find what was wrong with it. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to move from a stop, the vehicle stalled while accelerating. The contact stated that the service stabili-trak and engine power reduced messages displayed on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they discovered that the fuel rail pressure sensor range was defective. Sweeney Buick GMC (7997 market st, boardman, oh 44512) and stadium GM superstore inc (214 w state st, salem, oh 44460) were contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to any recalls. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 11V404000 (electronic stability control). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
My 2012 Buick lacrosses newest problem is one that actually scares me. I can be driving along at 65 miles an hour and it will kinda jerk a couple of times, then usually it will flash 'service the stability track' then I lose power steering and it dies. I'm lucky if I can make it to the side of the road.I live in a rural area and the highways around here are two lane with minimum shoulders. So when the car does this it is dangerous. It has happened 5 times now. It will restart after about 15-30 minutes and drive just fine. I've taken it to a mechanic and nothing shows up on the computer, everything looks good. But its not, this is by far the worst of the problems I've experienced with this car and there have been quite a few.
Vehicle cuts off after driving for about an hour and a half or two after it gets hot from driving. Then have to wait a while like 10 15 minutes for everything to cool down and it will start back up again no problem. Drive 5 minutes more shuts down repeatedly. When it shuts down the dashboard displays service stabilitrak control and service anti theft deterrent system. Note. I've put a new starter on. A new throttle body. Mass airflow sensor. Upstream oxygen sensor. Changed the oil, checked wires. Changed the cabin air filter. Still not fixed. No service engine lights what so ever. Service stabilitrak and anti theft is all it's showing.
Related recalls
Electronic stability control (ESC)
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.
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.
Traction Control complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2012 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2012 Buick Lacrosse, 12% of the model year's 206 complaints. The component named most often is control module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Buick Lacrosse traction control problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-404 (electronic stability control (esc), Aug 3, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Buick Lacrosse traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.