Traction Control complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was on the highway on the interior lane at 75 MPH when all the sudden I got a audible and visual alarm indicating steering failure. I then got the same for stabiltrak failure. The steering assist was obviously gone immediately and the car started floating back and forth. I had my wife and 92 year old mother-in -law with me and it was misting heavily so I carefully continued to drive at a reduced speed. I took the car in and they said the steering was not getting electricity. Also, they said the passenger side rear wheel sensor went out which caused the back and forth motion. The car dealership wants to charge me $3400 for the repairs. I see that there were recalls on other GM products for the steering on similar models I.e. Cadillac etc. I found several instances online for Buick Lacrosse but for some reason not all were reported. …
Car has autostop. While waiting on light and when it changed car stalled like it did not want to start up. It made the noise like someone turned the key with the car still on, but this is a keyless ignition. It has died this several times and I have taken it to Buick dealer and they say nothing wrong with it, it has did it twice more since they checked it. Last time I was at a food drive thru and it stalled made noise then started back up. Vehicle was stationary. It seems like the autostop gets stuck and their is a delay starting back up. That is dangerous when turning at a light. Please investigate . Thank you
Tamara recall-the car only has 67000 miles on it, and for some reason it is using oil. There is exhaust fumes/smoke coming out of the tail pipe. There have been occasions where it has not started. I took it to the dealership where I purchased it brand new off of the showroom floor in 2014, and they did a diagnostic on it; and inform me that they can find nothing wrong. Why all of the sudden is the oil pressure down so low and my warranty will be up at 70000 miles. I asked the technician to examine the drivetrain and other components covered under the warranty; but they refused. Also the screen on the satellite radio and clock fades out and comes back on. The dealership failed to provide a response to this as well. …
In 2018 the air went out in the vehicle and then the ABS light cane on. A few days later the check engine light was displayed and then the next day the battery completely died. I took it to the shop and had it fixed. They said that battery was missing a cell and they replaced the battery, fixed the air conditioning basically fixed all issues. Fast forward to a year to the date the same issue started again in that order. The car has officially cut off and I searched and there are no open recalls coming up for my VIN number.
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.
July 23, 2019 -I was on the hwy for approx. Four hours with my niece when suddenly my car created a loud sound and I lost power and control of my car including my brakes. I was traveling at 70 mile per hour. Luckily, two cars had just passed me when this occurred otherwise I could have had a very serious accident. I was on the left lane and was able to coast to the shoulder. The hwy. Was flat and I was able to coast to a stop. The engine wouldn't start, but after approx. Five minutes it started but I wasn't able to move. The car idled extremely rough. The electronic stability control (ESC) light and the check engine lights were on. I waited for a tow truck in 96 degree weather for two hours before I was able to get a tow to a garage 40 miles away. This happend on Tuesday. I left my car at the Buick dealer and left the key in the drop box. …
Driving 60 MPH on the highway. Suddenly the information panel flashed stabilitrak service required (or similar) then low power mode. Car went from 60 to 30 MPH on the highway. Unable to speed up. Needed to pull over to the side of the road. Turned car off. Tried to restart and it wouldn't restart for several tries. Restarted and still said low power and was idling low. Tried again and was normal. This has happened several more times and always is similar. Sometimes it doesn't happen at all in a 30 mile trip, sometimes it happens 3 times. Very dangerous! Could be rear ended! I have read many other accounts of this happening in the 2011 Buick Lacrosse. After this the check engine light stayed on. When I had the auto parts store run diagnostics it flagged multiple misfires, throttle position sensor 3 times, power control module indicator, traction control. …
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Lacrosse years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (25), 2010 (23), 2011 (10), 2013 (5) and 2014 (5) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Buick Lacrosse traction control problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 11V-404 (electronic stability control (esc), Aug 3, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Lacrosse traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic (asc) (1 mentions), followed by the control module (1).
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.