Owners have filed 42 complaints
about the 2017 Buick Lacrosse with NHTSA between 2016 and 2026.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 14 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 10
Against the median year of the Buick Lacrosse. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
76% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
728.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
28.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
832.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
416.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
312.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
14.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2016peak 3May 2026
Recalls on the 2017 Buick Lacrosse
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2017222393 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the rear-suspension toe-links may have been installed incorrectly (i.e., in the reverse direction). If a toe-link is installed in this incorrect direction, the bolt at the outboard attachment could come loose and fall out over time, which could cause the toe-link to disconnect from the rear-suspension system. If a rear-suspension toe-link becomes disconnected, the driver may lose the ability to control the vehicle, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and reorient the toe-links as required.
Recall 201709736 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the cable seal of one or both of the electric power steering (EPS) connectors may not be properly seated which could allow water to enter and corrode the connections. This could lead to increased resistance in the EPS circuit which could result in intermittent or permanent loss of the steering assist. A loss of power steering assist could unexpectedly increase steering effort which would increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will ensure the connector is fully seated and secure it in place.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Missouri City, TX
SUSPENSION
This vehicle has major suspension issues containing the complete strut assembly, lower control arms, and strut yokes/forks, which can not be replaced due to the discontinuance of the vehicle and parts itself. Because of this the car cannot receive an alignment which cause the tires to be eaten up at a rapid rate. When going over a bump in the highway the steering column goes one way while the car goes another. The car slides all over the road. Extreme safety concerns for my family and I.
NHTSA complaint #11736767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicsburg, OH
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front driver's side wheel well. The contact stated that increased effort was needed to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front driver's side strut. The vehicle was not repaired because parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11610498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loveland, OH
AIR BAGS
The air bag warning light in the dash came on intermittently during driving. I took the vehicle to the dealer for service December 27, 2023, since it was a safety issue that the authorized dealer needs to take care of. At first, they said it was a bad battery and the safety system needed reprogramming. Which they did for about $800. When driving home from the dealer the air bag light came back on so a few days later I returned the car to the dealer. Then they said it was the passenger seat safety module that needed to be replaced. That was back in January of 2024, over 6 months ago. At that point I learned that the car is not drivable since the air bag could deploy at any time or would not function if requested in an accident. General Motors says they do not have the part that is critical to the operation of the air bag system to replace. That was over 6 months ago, with no prediction when they will have the part. This is a critical part of the safety system that they can't replace which leads me to believe there is more to this than they are telling me!! Federal law requires them to have parts for vehicles less than 7 years old - they don't!! How many other vehicles have this part? Is the part defective since it failed without any other causes that could be identified? Why can't they replace this critical safety part after 7 months of waiting with no end in sight!!!
NHTSA complaint #11603514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The amplifier stopped working and all the sound comes through the amp including but not limited to seatbelt, door ajar, rear seat reminder, blinkers, back up sounds, and any and all sounds that the car my make for any safety features, onstar features, radio, Bluetooth, the list goes on.
NHTSA complaint #11602816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesBeaumont, TX
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was making an abnormally loud stomping sound and the wheels were shuddering significantly. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the suspension yoke had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part had been discontinued. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11596103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesHomestead, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the rear brakes were worn three times faster than the front brakes. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was concerned about the safety of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was taken to another dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to trade the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #11591082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesLawrenceville, GA
STEERING
The contact owns a 2017 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Steering Advance System Declined message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V116000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #11574940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bechtelsville, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Intermittent failure to start All electrical components failed to operate after total shutdown while at a stopped traffic light. After being towed to dealer it did start on its own.
NHTSA complaint #11571534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Vehicle loses power every gmc vehicle I have owned (3) seen to have this issue throttle pedal position sensor while driving on the interstate vehicle speed drops to reduce engine power which is very scary and dangerous
NHTSA complaint #11571349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport News, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle loses power every gmc vehicle I have owned (3) seen to have this issue throttle pedal position sensor while driving on the interstate vehicle speed drops to reduce engine power which is very scary and dangerous
NHTSA complaint #11571349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 700 milesLynwood, IL
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11562549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 700 milesLynwood, IL
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11562549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,500 milesColumbus, OH
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power on several occasions. The vehicle restarted after a while. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty power inverter module. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,500.
NHTSA complaint #11486363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel Hill, NC
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11471301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel Hill, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11471301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TX
AIR BAGS
the airbag lite has been coming on for the last year saying it needs to be serviced. I have had it to the buick dealer for 4 times this last year and they still can not of will not fix it.The airbag lite comes on when we turn the steering wheel to the left.The last time I had it in was March of this year.When we left with the car the first left hand turn I made it came on.I am tired of fooling with it.after they work on it I told them to take it for a trail drive thye did not.
NHTSA complaint #11467521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesOrland Park, IL
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH and making a left turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact mentioned the failure was related to the bushings. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and then to a dealer where it was informed that the part to repair the vehicle was no longer in production. The vehicle was not repaired. Themnaufactuer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000
NHTSA complaint #11452579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesMiddletown, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11430318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesMiddletown, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11430318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesMorton Grove, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
CAR DOORS UNLATCHED (BECOMING IN OPEN POSITION [UNLOCKED AND UNLATCHED] BEFORE IT BEING COMPLETELY OPEN). IT HAPPENED TWICE, ONES WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND THE WARNING BUZZER TURNED ON AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GIVE ME A MESSAGE TELLING ME THE DRIVING DOOR IS OPEN, THIS IS HAPPENED SUDDENLY AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 MINUTES IN VERY GOOD LOCAL STREETS CONDITION. I STOPPED TO CHECK THE DOOR AND I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND ITS BEEN UNLATCHED TO THE PRE OPEN POSITION. SECOND TIME HAPPENED WHEN WAS THE CAR PARKED AND LOOKED, AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES THE CAR HORN STARTS BEEPING AND THE LIGHTS FLASHING, L GOT A MESSAGE FROM ONSTAR ON MY PHONE TELLING ME MY CAR DOORS ARE IN OPEN POSITION. I WENT OUT TO CHECK THE CAR AND I FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR IS IN OPEN POSITION (PRE OPEN POSITION, UNLOCKED AND UNLATCHED POSITION, IF YOU PULL THE DOOR IT WILL OPEN COMPLETELY). THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN
NHTSA complaint #11406833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,350 milesBrooksville, FL
ENGINE
PURCHASED VEHICLE JULY 25, 2020. TOOK THE CAR FOR ITS FIRST OIL CHANGE, IN OCTOBER. ON NOV 23, 2020, THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ERROR CODE: P0430 "CATALYST SYSTEM LOW EFFICIENCY BANK 2". ON NOV 24, 2020, I TOOK THE CAR TO "RICK MATHEWS GMC/BUICK DEALERSHIP" FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR. THEY PLACED AN ORDER FOR THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIR AND TOLD ME, THAT MY CAR WAS DRIVABLE. ON DEC 4, 2020, I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WITH THE CAR SHAKING, I WAS SCARED TO TAKE THE HIGHWAY BUT THAT WAS MY ONLY WAY HOME, AND THE LOUD ENGINE NOISE AND SHAKING CONTINUED. ON DEC 7, 2020, I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS INOPERABLE BECAUSE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CRACKED AND THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. THAT DAY THEY PROVIDED A RENTAL/LOANER VEHICLE FOR ME TO DRIVE TO WORK UNTIL THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. ON JAN 13, 2021, I HAD TO SWAP OUT VEHICLES BECAUSE THE PART WAS STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. IT IS NOW FEB 26, 2021, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS FINALLY BEING REPAIRED. THIS ENTIRE TIME, I HAVE CONTINUED TO PAY FOR THE MONTHLY COST OF MY PERSONAL CAR LOAN WHILE NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE IT. I ONLY GOT TO DRIVE MY CAR 4 MONTHS BEFORE IT WAS STUCK IN THE SHOP AND I STILL CONTINUE TO PAY FOR MY PERSONAL CAR MONTHLY. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW ASKING ME TO PAY A "RENTAL" FEE FOR THE USE OF THEIR VEHICLE, AND IT HAS TAKEN 3 MONTHS TO FINALLY REPAIR MY VEHICLE, ALL BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER GMC/BUICK WAS OUT OF STOCK OF A 2017 CAR PART. I HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE THIS WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND HAVE A CASE# (SR:9-6454995176). I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM AND THE DEALERSHIP SINCE DEC 7, 2020.
NHTSA complaint #11398129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Union, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GEARS OF TRANSMISSION ABRUPT AND HARD CONSTANTLY FLASHING SOME KIND OF SERVICE TRANSMISSION JERKS ON AUTO STOP BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT IT STARTING AT ABOUT 10000 MILES NOW HAS 48000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #11322162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Union, OH
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN SHOP AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME REASON AND IT NEVER ENDS. THEY KEEP CHANGING OR DOING SOMETHING TO THE GEAR SHIFTER. IT KEEPS SAYING SERVICE TRANSMISSION NOW IT SAYING ALL KINDS OF WARNINGS ABOUT STEERING EXCEEDING SPEED TRACK SOMETHING PLUS SERVICE TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT SOON ETC IT'S RIDICULOUS TO PAY THIS MUCH FOR A CAR AND HAVE IT IN THE SHOP THIS MANY TIMES IN 2 YEARS IT'S IN THERE AGAIN NOW AND PROBLEM STILL ISN'T FIXED
NHTSA complaint #11322157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,345 milesFayetteville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLOW COMPANIES OF FAYETTEVILLE (1945 SKIBO RD. FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314) BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,345.
NHTSA complaint #11307684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FL
POWER TRAIN
2017 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SEEMED TO STICK OR DOWNSHIFT INTO LOW GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11306113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.