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 2013 Buick Lacrosse owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the steering seized. In addition, the contact stated that a warning indicated a low voltage and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled in the middle of a busy road. The contact called the Police to assist with moving the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer; however, the contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to another dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a low voltage Hybrid battery. The contact was informed that the Hybrid battery needed to be replaced to perform a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced starting failures and was taken to Piedmont Tire & Auto, where the battery was replaced. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound, and felt like the vehicle had struck a bump, and the steering locked up. The vehicle was taken back to Piedmont Tire & Auto, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS wheel speed sensor ring on the passenger's side rear wheel bearing had fractured, and the passenger's side rear wheel bearing and hub assembly were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start, and the ignition key became stuck in the ignition switch. The contact jump-started the vehicle, which released the ignition key from the ignition switch. …
The contact owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there were no compressions on the engine and cylinders due to a possible fractured timing chain and damaged valves. The dealer also informed the contact there was no oil in the engine; however, the contact had replaced the engine oil 2-3 weeks prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V173000 (Electrical system). …
The contact owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the display screen failed to respond. No warning light was illuminated. The following day the contact adjusted the mirrors and attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact waited for several minutes, and the vehicle started. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, that the knob on the driver's side view mirror and key immobilizer were causing the failure. A new battery was installed, and the radiator support was cleaned; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer however, the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle began to lose motive power as the parking assist warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact's daughter also stated that the vehicle had lunged forward prior to losing power. Additionally, the power locks had started to lock and unlock independently. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test discovered an electrical failure within the vehicle. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a dealer however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while approaching a traffic light, the vehicle was seized. The contact stated that the check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The contact was able to drive back to the local dealer and had the battery replaced for a second time. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The contact stated she experienced the failure a total of 4 times. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owned a 2013 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware of a failure with the suspension. The contact stated that front and rear ends of the vehicle were lowered, and the vehicle was drifting. Additionally, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the suspension and electrical system which needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that after reversing out of the garage and parking in the driveway, turning the vehicle off and removing the ignition key however, approximately 30 minutes later the vehicle started independently. The ignition key had to be used to turn the engine off. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The contact indicated that the failure posed a severe carbon monoxide hazard. The failure mileage was 63,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Buick LaCrosse on March 3, 2024. The vehicle was purchased from the dealer. The odometer was reported at 118,000 during the sale. The vehicle was recently taken to an independent mechanic for service. The contact was provided with an auto report in which the latest odometer reading was reported in October 2023 at 115,670. The independent mechanic checked the hard drive. The contact was informed that the correct odometer reading was 221,855.
My vehicles started experiencing a Service Power Steering Code and Service Stabilitrak warning after I Replaced my Sway Bar Bushings and Sway Bar Links and Started Giving Me A Code On My Scan Tool Of CO55C:00, and Lost Of Communication With Electronic Brake Module(UO121:00) Code. I Also Have A Multi-Axis Acceleration Sensor Code. Power Steering Module, When I Disconnect my Battery Completely It May Delete Itself and my Steering Sometimes Returns, but If I Relearn/Recalibrate The Steering Angle Sensor and Clear The Codes With My Scan Tool My Steering Will Return. It Has No Specific Road Conditions, Speed, or Turns That Makes It Return, It Just Picks and Chooses When It Wants To Come On. I Checked All My Grounds, Wires, and Connectors For Corrosion or Other Damage. I Have Had An Alignment Twice and That Doesn't Fix It Either. I Know This Same Issue Was A Recall On Other Models. …
Related recalls
Electrical system
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.
Electrical system › Software
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
NHTSA investigations
Generator Control Module Fires
On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the Generator Control Module (GCM) in certain model year (MY)…
Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations.
Electrical complaints in other Lacrosse years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Buick Lacrosse, 42% of the model year's 129 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-173 (electrical system, May 6, 2013); NHTSA recall 13V-097 (software, Mar 15, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 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.