Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | 123,000 miles |
| 2016 | 12 | 25% | 28,000 miles |
| 2015 | 12 | 27% | 69,000 miles |
| 2014 | 12 | 19% | 59,000 miles |
| 2013 | 24 | 19% | 65,000 miles |
| 2012 | 24 | 12% | 51,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 17 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% | 84,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 6% | 73,000 miles |
| 2007 | 22 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2006 | 26 | 9% | 74,000 miles |
| 2005 | 51 | 16% | 36,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that upon reversing, he noticed that the steering wheel had lost power steering functionality. The "Power Steering Failure" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to forcefully steer the steering wheel and drove to his residence that was not too far away. The contact stated that the next day, he restarted the vehicle and he noticed that the vehicle had regained power steering functionality. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the power steering control module had failed. The dealer reprogrammed the power steering control module. The contact drove the vehicle to his residence. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V116000 (Steering) however, the vehicle year was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while his wife was driving in rainy or snowy conditions, the check power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after it had stopped raining or snowing, the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The contact was informed that a code for 19-NA-182 could be reset, and that there was no failure found with the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he noticed that the steering wheel did not have power steering. The warning message "Service Power Steering" was illuminated. The contact was able to take the vehicle to the dealer by forcefully steering the steering wheel. The dealer test drove the vehicle and diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the steering wheel regained power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 69,100.
The contact owns a 2015 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH on a main road and attempting to make a right turn, the contact noticed that the steering wheel had become increasingly difficult to steer. The message "Service Power Steering - Drive with Care" was displayed. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,900.
The contact owns a 2014 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the power steering suddenly failed, and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the power steering warning message had displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who reprogrammed the power steering module however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer who reprogrammed the power steering module again however, the failure persisted. The contact was then advised that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving 70-75 mph, the steering wheel popped up to the dashboard and became inoperable, however, the contact was able to exit the highway. The power steering assist service message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the power steering housing and power steering gear needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that she was concerned about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,660. Consumer stated steering wheel wouldn't move.
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. …
The first time this happened the power steering service warning light came on after I started the car. I was unable to move or steer the car. After about an hour, I started the car and the light did not come on and the car could be driven. About 2 days later, the same thing happened but the light stayed on. The car was towed to the dealership and after an evaluation it was determined that the steering gear/rack and pinion assembly had to be replaced. (See the uploaded invoice from Thompson Automotive Group and photos of the parts that were replaced.) The car is a 2013 that I purchased in August 2020. The original mileage at that time was 600 miles. When the incident occurred with the power steering, the car had been driven 44,571 miles. …
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Buick LaCrosse vehicles. The electrical connectors for the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system may not be properly sealed. As a result, water may enter and corrode the connectors possibly resulting in a loss of power steering.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect correct the seal seating and secure the EPS connector seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2017.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Lacrosse years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (51), 2006 (26), 2012 (24), 2013 (24) and 2007 (22) model years. Steering complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Buick Lacrosse steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 17V-116 (electric power assist system, Feb 23, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Lacrosse steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (3 mentions), followed by the column (2).
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.