Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vehicle decelerated inadvertently almost to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and another dealer Wilkins Buick-GMC (6913 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061) but there were no codes on the code reader. The dealers were unable to duplicate the failure after test driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at Buick-GMC (6913 Ritchie Hwy, Glen Burnie, MD 21061). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 54,456.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rear end of the vehicle seemed loosened whenever the vehicle hit a bump while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (SUSPENSION) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to drift from side to side with check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer had been notified about the failure and confirmed that parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The manufacturer had also been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was 104,772. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a grinding sound coming from the rear-end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted; however, no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00F000 (Suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 207,777.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a second notice that stated that parts were now available. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts were still not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a second recall notice which stated that parts were now available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the parts remained unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022.
Suspension › Rear
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available.
Suspension complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2012 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Buick Lacrosse, 15% of the model year's 206 complaints. The component named most often is front › stabilizer bar (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Buick Lacrosse suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V00F000 (rear, Dec 22, 2021); NHTSA recall 20V-764 (rear, Dec 21, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Buick Lacrosse suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.