139 of the
2,918 complaints filed about the Buick Lacrosse
are about the transmission —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
139
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
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 stated that the transmission was previously replaced twice due to the failure. The mechanic advised the contact to get rid of the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
NHTSA complaint #11720665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. I have had it diagnosed with the recall codes N20231344O GM # 20V668000 NHTSA # 18V576000 18V358000 But the dealships are saying there aren't any recall for the vehicle. This issues is ongoing.
NHTSA complaint #11698766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had first seen a check engine light for a month and it would come on and off and sometimes it would stay off for about a week before it comes back on and do the same thing. I had noticed some slippage within the transmission a week prior to this incident and was looking to take it in for an inspection but money is tight so I couldn’t afford to go in for an inspection, especially a repair. I was driving to work and the vehicle was doing its slippage and I go about a mile or two until I reach an intersection, I came to a red light and stopped, when it turned green, I started pressing on the gas but the car didn’t move, it only revved. I then proceeded to put it in park and turn it off then on, only for it to do the same thing. So from there I had it pushed off into a nearby parking spot and then towed to a wrenchrite where they had confirmed it had nothing to do with the transmission fluid or anything minor. I then had it taken to Emory Services and they had confirmed the transmission its self had been fried.
NHTSA complaint #11698532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11690035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Well the belt tensioner and the hybrid motor Drive Motor Performance and Hybrid Power train Control Module Requested MIL Illumination Yes not just any mechanic can work on the car because of the hybrid system is to much voltage And the check engine light came on the car
NHTSA complaint #11676340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while stationary at a stop light and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11597441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. The contact related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V668000 (Power Train), 18V358000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and 18V576000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 161,188.
NHTSA complaint #11593626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
My breaks keep injecting off my 2013 Buick Lacrosse while driving, ruining my break calipers. Have gotten fixed 3 times. Car is currently not able to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11544068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have brought my 2018 Buick Lacrosse to two different Buick dealerships who say that even though a special instruction letter was recognized and a recall was observed, because my check light went out and the codes on the car where cleared, they will not fix either recall. On three different occasions, the car slowed down to a crawl speed, the check engine light went on and the brakes applied themselves. Also across the dash was displayed 'service transmission'. I thought it was the accelerator pedal position sensor, but it may be a transmission problem. I've had it towed on three different occasions and had the battery replaced. Neither dealership will not fix the problem, however.
NHTSA complaint #11523910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt had detached and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer determined that there was a gasket leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the serpentine belt had previously been replaced twice; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
NHTSA complaint #11512439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The component is the brakes and the brake pedal while not engaging the brakes they remained on even after the vehicle was shut off .the vehicle brake lights remained on this was not duplicated when I took the car in by the dealer of how the brake remains engaged we even when not being used I would have to release the break by pulling it up with my foot while driving . This was duplicated and witnessed by two others the dealership where I bought the car and a trusted mechanic. which no avai there was no warning light indicating any type of concern prior to it doing this. the brake pedal being slightly stuck my transmission shifts not properly and hot feeling to the car now I have a warning saying that AC will not work due to the overheating of my engine which I believe to have repaired however the repair that was believed to be the problem obviously wasn't the problem because the light still remains on and the fan runs continuously the minute I start the car to the time I shut the car off I live in North Dakota and it is -1 today and the fan continues to run at all times and the warning light is on cooling fan the car lunges at times which is easy to lose control over when it does this it lunges to the point where it physically noticeable and and no warnings of this that a compensation is going to need to be made in my driving with this lunge issue. I do feel this break issue has affected many other parts of the vehicle and the safety associated with these components. Also at times the driver's seat will not move it goes up to the dash or back to the back seat leaving me in a position where I cannot drive the vehicle safely at all. Also the cruise control would not engage because of the brakes being slightly engaged. Took her to the dealership discussed this problem with them and they could not duplicate and it's been going on since I purchased the car It had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it and it continues to do this and I think it's a safety issue
NHTSA complaint #11496326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact the failure was not covered under the warranty. The failure mileage was 92,968.
NHTSA complaint #11483748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
While driving stability trac, check engine light flashed and rpm, and speed gauges start going haywire. The car loses power even while accelerating, the steering wheel locks and car stalls. Then after 15-30 minutes the car starts fine and drives. Has happened at least 8 times. Took it to Buick dealer who ran diagnostic but unable to recreate codes but acknowledged a problem. Supposedly fixed it only to return the car a few days later. This is quite scary and dangerous as it happens without warning and while driving. Thankfully I wasn't on the expressway when it happened because all steering, power and brake function is lost.
NHTSA complaint #11469478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When braking from 50 mph or 40 mph coming to a stop my car jerks and it’s very hard to stop it uncomfortable hesitation, Jerk, or lurch. Almost caused accident twice where I couldn’t stop the vehicle this is very unsafe for me and my family also transmission downshifts and up shifts are really hard in this vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11463473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Problem with the transmission burning up and breaking and the car unable to be driven and I have heard from other people that have had the same problem from there cars mileage from 28,000 miles to 60,000 miles the transmission just goes out It’ll make like a howling noise One day and then you’ll get in the car the next day and it just will not move and the transmission fluid Will smell burnt And it doesn’t matter if you maintenance the transmission filter And fluid
NHTSA complaint #11458271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.