Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 25% | 161,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 25% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 15% | 99,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 6% | 89,000 miles |
| 2013 | 11 | 9% | 36,000 miles |
| 2012 | 24 | 12% | 25,000 miles |
| 2011 | 19 | 11% | 56,000 miles |
| 2010 | 17 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% | 55,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 4% | 57,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 2% | 85,000 miles |
| 2005 | 19 | 6% | 73,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact pulled over and checked underneath the vehicle. The contact discovered that the START/STOP accumulator endcap bolt had detached, causing transmission fluid to leak onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that in 2021, he detected an abnormal fuel odor coming through the air vents while driving. The brake pedal also stuck while depressed, and the rear brake pads needed to be replaced frequently. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer in 2021 for the fuel odor, and an unknown fuel system part was replaced. …
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 after his wife had parked and turning off the vehicle, moments later the vehicle was restarted and the check engine and TCM warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, the transmission shifter failed to shift out of park. The vehicle towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 70,000.
My 2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium AWD (116,220 miles) experienced a severe all-wheel-drive failure causing significant binding and a loud rumbling/clunking noise during sharp, low-speed cornering and acceleration. The vehicle has been officially inspected by two separate authorized manufacturer service centers. On September 25, 2026, a certified GM technician at Advantage Buick GMC formally documented that the vehicle has a prominent rear drivetrain failure, identifying it as a "rear diff or driveshaft issue" that requires full component replacement. Prior to the complete mechanical failure, no warning lights or dashboard indicators illuminated. The binding symptoms appeared suddenly during normal city driving maneuvers. …
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 contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that when she started her vehicle, the automatic collision unavailable, and oil leak warning message illuminated. The contact stated the warning lights were then unilluminated. The contact stated that the following day while the vehicle was parked and turned on, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated she called a tow truck to tow the vehicle to the local dealer and while she waited she was able to steer the steering wheel; however, she did not feel safe driving the vehicle and it was then towed to a local dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the diagnosis was that the vehicle needed to update the power control module(PCM) software. The vehicle was repaired. …
I was driving and my car stopped then I started it back up then hesitated to go. I parked the car then tried to reverse an it kept jumping and won't accelerate. I could have got into a major accident on the freeway. The code is giving a Transmission Control Module
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle shook and jerked without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 88,978. Updated 07/26/16
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Lacrosse years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (24), 2005 (19), 2011 (19), 2010 (17) and 2013 (11) model years. Transmission complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for Buick Lacrosse transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 20V-668 (automatic transmission, Oct 29, 2020); 14V-092 (automatic transmission, Feb 21, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Lacrosse transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 49% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (12 mentions), followed by the driveline (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.