FaultScore

Buick Lacrosse window and wiper problems

73 of the 2,918 complaints filed about the Buick Lacrosse are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2011.

73

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year

2005 Lacrosse 9 12.3%

Median failure at 50,850 miles

2006 Lacrosse 8 11.0%

Median failure at 67,595 miles

2007 Lacrosse 8 11.0%

Median failure at 61,650 miles

2008 Lacrosse 2 2.7%

Median failure at 20,000 miles

2009 Lacrosse 1 1.4%

Median failure at 44,000 miles

2010 Lacrosse 12 16.4%

Median failure at 22,000 miles

2011 Lacrosse 23 31.5%

Median failure at 78,850 miles

2012 Lacrosse 1 1.4%
2013 Lacrosse 4 5.5%

Median failure at 50 miles

2014 Lacrosse 2 2.7%

Median failure at 13,175 miles

2015 Lacrosse 1 1.4%
2016 Lacrosse 1 1.4%

Median failure at 1,500 miles

2017 Lacrosse 1 1.4%

Median failure at 500 miles

What owners said

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 180,000 miles Seaford, DE

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to use the defroster, the HVAC system was not working properly, and paper towels were used to wipe the inside and outside windshield. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH or while slowing down to come to a stop, there was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer to have the HVAC system reprogrammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the HVAC system could not be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to have the abnormal sound coming from the rear end diagnosed. The contact researched online and related the failures to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V149000 (Visibility) and 20V764000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11695748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Buick Lacrosse Niles, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Low beam headlights randomly turn off while driving at night and day. Causing not to be able to see the roadway at all. Very dangerous!!! They give no warning at all. Only the low beams do this. Bright lights are not affected. There was a recall for this issue but they said my car was not affected. But it is 100% affected by this recall. Ot seems like the Headlamp driver module is overheating. It gets extremely hot. This issue almost caused a very serious accident .

NHTSA complaint #11665215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Buick Lacrosse at 250,000 miles Hoschton, GA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH with the A/C activated, there was a loud shattering sound coming from the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected, and the contact became aware that the sunroof had exploded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

NHTSA complaint #11651377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Buick Lacrosse Charlotte, NC

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I purchased this car 1 year ago with 121,460 miles, within the first week I had to buy new tires and replace the wipers,now I have to replace the alternator all of this is within a year. I just got the estimate for the alternator which is over 700.00 which I don't have.

NHTSA complaint #11615699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 155,000 miles Pontiac, MI

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a failure with the defrost system. The contact stated that the windows failed to defrost properly, causing a visibility hazard while driving. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

NHTSA complaint #11591050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse Des Moines, IA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

When driving in rain and high humidity, the windshield and front windows will often completely fog up with moisture on the inside of the car. It can make seeing outside while driving impossible and risks an accident. In three years we have found no settings on the climate control system that will avoid this problem. We have had the heater core replaced in a futile attempt to remedy the situation. We have been told by Buick that there is no fix or recall.

NHTSA complaint #11507935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Buick Lacrosse Chicago, IL

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

the glass to the sunroof blew off while driving and broken into pieces. broken glass at risk. no, the problem has not been confirmed by dealer or service center. no inspections. no warning lamps messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The sunroof glass just blew off the car while driving.

NHTSA complaint #11439940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse Sioux Falls, SD

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Defrost doesn't always work. Can't see too drive when this happens. Thought there was a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11438791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 72,700 miles Scio, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

II CANNOT CONTROL THE DEFROSTER OR FAN CONTROL. THE VIN. NO. SAYS THIS WAS ON RECALL . BUT THE BUICK DEALER IN MY AREA SAID IT NO A RECALL ON 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THEY WANT A HUNDRED DOLLARS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM . SOMETIMES THIS WORK AND OTHER WITH NO LUCK. ISOME TIMES HAVE TO WAIT UP TO 20 TO 30 MINUTE BEFORE I CAN THE DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD SO I DRIVE !!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #11377872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 124,000 miles Hopkins, SC

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHADE BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED ROLL BACK AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JIM HUDSON BUICK GMC (4035 KAISER HILL RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29203) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THROTTLE- POSITION SENSOR FAILED AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #11366419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 1 miles Jacksonville, FL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVER CANNOT SEE ROAD WHICH WINDSHIELD STAYS FOGGED UP WHEN DRIVING AND WILL NOT DEFOG THIS IS A DANGER FOR IT COULD CAUSE IT LED TO CRASHES WINDSHIELD AND BACK WINDOW REMAINS FOGGED UP WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC I WAS JUST MADE AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND NEED THIS TAKEN CARE OF ASAP THANKS

NHTSA complaint #11363324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 45,000 miles Newport News, VA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION INSIDE THE VEHICLE FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUTTLE MOTOR CORPORATION (12525 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23602, (757) 886-1700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER 2 OR 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES IN WHICH THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.*DT

NHTSA complaint #11343834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 150,000 miles Homestead Falls, OH

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HVAC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11326463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse Saint Petersburg, FL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DEFROST SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY, FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROST SYSTEM FAILS TO CLEAR WINDOW, AND VISIBILITY IS AN ISSUE. HVAC SYSTEM DOESN'T COOL PROPERLY, COMPRESSOR COMES ON, HOWEVER TEMPERATURE ONLY LOWERS TO A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. TEMPERATURE COOLS BETTER WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint #11309877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Buick Lacrosse at 90,000 miles Waukesha, WI

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WHILE DRIVING CITY STREETS IN A SNOW STORM, I WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE REAR WINDOW AND MELT THE SNOW OFF OF THE HEATED SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. I LITERALLY COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BEHIND OR NEXT TO ME. WHEN I PRESS THE DEFROSTER BUTTON THE LIGHT INDICATES THAT IT'S ON BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THAT BOTH THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER AND HEATED MIRRORS WORK OFF THE SAME BUTTON AND NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED - BUT IT NEVER SEEMS TO WORK WHEN I TRULY NEED IT.

NHTSA complaint #11308042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Buick Lacrosse Montgomery, AL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO BLOW, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT COME ON. MY RADIO GOES OUT AND ON. WHEN STARTING MY CAR USING PUSH START MY CAR STALL. HESITATE TO START BUT FINALLY STARTS AFTER SO MANY TRIES. I HAVE HAD TO JUMP START CAR AND RECENTLY HAD A BATTERY REPLACED. NOW THE POWER STEERING IS GONE OUT. I CAN BARELY TURN STEERING WHEEL., THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. MY DASHBOARD IS VERY DIM. IT WENT COMPLETELY BLACK A COUPLE OF TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHEN CAME BACK IT'S BARELY LIT I CAN BARELY SEE GAS GAUGE, OR SPEED ODOMETER.

NHTSA complaint #11301958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 117,350 miles Chicago, IL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE DEFROSTER ON THE HOT SETTING IN ORDER FOR THE WINDOWS TO CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 (VISIBILITY), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,350.

NHTSA complaint #11241977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 130,000 miles Houston, TX

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDOWS WILL NOT DEFOG AC BARELY RUNS TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP TO GET A RECHARGE BUT STILL NOTHING. MY SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR ON DRIVER SIDE. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEOS BUT DON'T KNOW HOW SEND COPY PASTE THE LINK TO YOU...

NHTSA complaint #11220495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Buick Lacrosse at 66,985 miles Loudon, TN

VISIBILITY/WIPER

ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ALLOWS WINDSHIELD TO BECOME FOGGED OVER AND I CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE OR CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM. I CANNOT CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING AND VENTILATION. EXAMPLE: THE SYSTEM SEEMS TO BLOW OR ALLOW WARM AIR IN CABIN WHEN THE A/C IS ON SET AT 68-72 DEGREES. THIS IS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION AND AT IDLE ON ANY ROAD I TRAVEL. I REPORTED PROBLEM TO RICE BUICK-GMC, INC. 8330 KINGSTON PIKE KNOXVILLE, TN 37919-5449 (865) 693-0610 ON 9/16/2014, 9/25/2014 AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED & GETTING WORSE TO DATE 01/07/2019. I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL. SAFETY RECALL IS LISTED FOR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE ON MARCH 4, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V149000 SOFTWARE IN ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL AFFECTS DEFROST SYSTEM REDUCING DRIVERS VISIBILITY AND COULD RESULT IN CRASH. UNABLE TO CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM. SECOND PROBLEM IS ENGINE/ EMISSIONS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SENSOR ERRORS. ALL HAVE CAUSED CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON.

NHTSA complaint #11164871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Buick Lacrosse at 25 miles Mountain TOP, PA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE DEFROSTERS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. IT SEEMS MOISTURE IS BEING BROUGHT IN FROM OUTSIDE AND FOGGING UP THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLES POOR DEFROSTERS BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING THRU THE LAST SNOW STORM. VISIBILITY WAS EXTREMELY POOR. I HAD TO LEAN OVER AND PEAK THRU THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD NEAR THE BOTTOM TO GET MINIMAL SIGHT. LIKE I SAID, IT WAS ALWAYS AN ISSUE, BUT WHEN YOU REALLY NEED DEFROSTERS, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY.

NHTSA complaint #11152376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Buick Lacrosse problems