Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 14% | 56,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 42% | 100,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 31% | 10,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 6% | 99,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 20% | 7,000 miles |
| 2014 | 14 | 22% | 27,000 miles |
| 2013 | 54 | 42% | 63,000 miles |
| 2012 | 62 | 30% | 66,000 miles |
| 2011 | 32 | 19% | 55,000 miles |
| 2010 | 46 | 24% | 63,000 miles |
| 2009 | 31 | 29% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 84 | 34% | 56,000 miles |
| 2007 | 75 | 30% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 83 | 28% | 77,000 miles |
| 2005 | 80 | 25% | 100,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the key fob failed to open the doors and the vehicle was unable to be restarted. The failure had recurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the batteries in the key fob were replaced but the failure persisted. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.
When I get to a stop sign, and a stop light, when trying to accelerate after a complete stop, the car would struggle to accelerate to go forward. Where the shifting gears would start blinking, and the warning lights (engine power reduced, engine light, and the traction safety collision light) would display itself making it misfire and impossible to even go forward while pressing the gas pedal. It put me and other drivers at a safety risk because it would roll backwards after taking my foot off the breaks to accelerate where it would almost hit drivers behind me at the stops as well as them almost mistakingly hitting me in the back when my break lights stop reflecting when trying to accelerate at stop lights with traffic. …
The contact owns a 2017 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while at a stoplight the fuel-saving feature activated and the engine shut-off. After removing his foot from the brake pedal the STOP/START feature failed to activate. The contact used the Push to Start button and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
Car has 4 trips on rollback and one driving in for transmission problems 3 trips was when coming to a stop the car will will slide to stop almost making us hit dash of car each time there would be a warning about a minute before service transmission . One of the Trip for transmission service light I did drive it in. The car went in yesterday for transmission service again. My thinking of this is what would happen if I were driving 70 MPH and the car locked up what would happen to me and the people around me.
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the fuel pump was previously replaced due to the vehicle stalling while driving. The contact stated that the tailgate unintendedly opened while the vehicle was parked and turned off. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while driving from a complete stop, and the vehicle hesitated and shuddered while driving at various speeds. An unknown warning light was illuminated. OnStar was contacted and informed the contact that a DTC for the ABS was found. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was repaired for ABS failure; however, the failure persisted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was test-driven. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. …
The volt meter on the dashboard keeps dropping below 14 volts and 13.5 volts. The car has been checked by Buick and my mechanic no issues found. Buick has no idea why it keeps doing it neither does my mechanic. The problem is if there is a voltage drop, the computer will shut down the engine because of the low voltage. This could happen while driving which could be a serious problem. The date I provide is the last time it occurred, but it happens on a continuous basis.
While driving around 65 MPH on a highway. The battery light went on. Then suddenly the power steering and brakes died. It was very scary. A hugh safety issue, this very easily could have lead to a serious accident, crash or death. The steering was very difficult to turn and the brakes hard to push down. But the car was still running and luckily I was close to a exit. I pulled off the highway and stopped in store parking lot. It would not start after getting there. I had to have it taken to a Buick dealership. It was also showing a air bag error message. They told me it had to do with the seat position or something like that. I have had it there 6 times this year with the same issue. About 3 weeks ago for the 7th time of taking it there they finally replaced the hybrid battery stating that was the problem. However it worked for only 9 days. …
Vehicle problem starts with tire inflation warning, then seat belt warning and quickly spreads to all systems shown on the instrument panel. All systems stop functioning including turn signals, with only steering, braking, and accelerator operable. Instrument panel May go dark, then resume with same failure lighting sequence. OnStar stops working. Ventilation system May run max heat and or switch to max cold, then shut down (while driving). Last spring vehicle would not allow entry, transmission locked, and was towed to dealer. Early November 2016 tire pressure warning fired (parked). End of January instrument panel went full sequence of warning lights, went dark (while driving). January 26, 2016 (while driving freeway speed) instrument panel ran through sequence of warning lights, gauges fluctuated widely, panel went dark, no controls worked except, brakes, steering, accelerator. …
Related recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014.
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick LaCrosse vehicles manufactured April 30, 2013, to September 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a wiring splice in the driver's door may corrode and break, resulting in the absence of an audible chime to notify the driver if the door is opened while the key is in…
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will inspect the driver door window motor harness, and replace the electrical splice, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 2014.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Lacrosse years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (84), 2006 (83), 2005 (80), 2007 (75) and 2012 (62) model years. Electrical complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Buick Lacrosse electrical problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014); 14V-317 (electrical system, Jun 12, 2014); 13V-173 (electrical system, May 6, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Lacrosse electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (19 mentions), followed by the wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (5).
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.