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2012 Buick Lacrosse Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 206 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is 5th of 15 Lacrosse model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2012 Buick Lacrosse problems
Electrical
62 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
Since I've owned the car it's been very hard to drive on the hwy once I hit a certain speed it loses control very easy also the engine control module keeps failing loss of battery all the time I smell a burning plastic smell coming from the back of the car every so often and the front seat locks up all the time also…
Car runs for 10 - 15 minutes then just turns of , wait a couple of minutes and it turns back on like as nothing happened then it turns off again does same thing engine light turns on for a minute or two then turns off.
Engine
51 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles.
We have a 2012 Buick Lacrosse with eassist. When driving at around 65 MPH on the highway without the cruise control engaged the vehicle door locks suddenly unlock and lock, the car downshifts and the rpms go way up and a light comes on that says "service power steering". We have taken it to the dealership at least 3…
My car was moving and cut off on me and then automatically restarted while driving. The power steering locked up. This is been a going on for a few days now. Sometimes I restart it myself sometimes it automatically restarts. Engine light is on for a day and then goes off and comes back on again.
Suspension
31 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v674000 (suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that…
The contact owned a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v764000 (suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded…
Stability control
25 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: control module.
Vehicle stalls and is stopping after the stabilitrak light comes on on the free way and streets. Have taken to dealership several of times to be fixed but the problem comes right back within days. The problem has been persistent since 11/2018 and still has not been able to be fixed as if 5/2019.
My vehicle stalled out while I was on the express way. Then it would not start without a jump. Check engine light came on along with traction control light. Computer put out a code p062f. Now I have to get a jump almost every other day.
Transmission
24 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. After parking and attempting to exit the vehicle, the vehicle independently rolled back and crashed into the vehicle in its rear. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 25,000.
For about 6 months I have been having problems with stalling after slowing and then accelerating. The first 3 times were not as frightening as the one that occurred on 7-7-2014.returning from a trip to new orleans,as I exited the interstate and began to ramp off, the car stalled to the point of no control of the…
Steering
24 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles.
All power features shut down while driving on street. Loss partial control of steering, braking power was reduced significantly and engine shut off completely.
The engine light had come on and I went to a repair shop to have it repaired. I was told to bring it back the next day and on my way back the charging light came on. I was on the highway doing 70 miles an hour in a curve when all systems went down the instrument panel lit up and I lost braking, steering and all other…
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 93,000 miles.
I filed a compliant jan. 25, 2021 (#11389775) in reference to my car stalling. Which has been continuously happening the majority of the time I have owned the vehicle. I was contacted by my mechanic that my problem fits the issues on recall #13v173000 which my VIN # does not pull as a recall. I called gm last year in…
When driving my car on declining grades the "traction control" light will appear and the car's front brakes will automatically slow the vehicle down. This happened on 1/21/2018 most recently and almost caused an accident as the person behind me wasn't ready for my car to come to a complete stop.
Brakes
16 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles.
All power features shut down while driving on street. Loss partial control of steering, braking power was reduced significantly and engine shut off completely.
The engine light had come on and I went to a repair shop to have it repaired. I was told to bring it back the next day and on my way back the charging light came on. I was on the highway doing 70 miles an hour in a curve when all systems went down the instrument panel lit up and I lost braking, steering and all other…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Buick Lacrosse recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 27, 2022. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20v-764 and 21v-633.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2010-2013 buick lacrosse, 2012-2013 buick regal, and 2013 chevrolet malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, or wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
Suspension: rear
Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on january 27, 2021, and april 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on august 19, 201. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is n202308930.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2012-2013 buick regal, 2013 chevrolet malibu, and 2010-2013 buick lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, or wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
Seats: power adjust
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on september 11, 2014. The recall began on december 26, 2014. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (buick), 1-800-458-8006 (cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (gmc). Gm's number for this recall is 14271.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 buick lacrosse, regal and chevrolet camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 cadillac srx, chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Electrical: electrical system
Risk: If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
Fix: Gm will notify owners and dealers will test the gcm and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on june 11, 2013. Owners may contact gm at 1-800-521-7300. Gm's recall campaign number is 13136.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 buick lacrosse and regal, and model year 2013 chevrolet malibu eco vehicles equipped with eassist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the generator control module (gcm) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: The improper diagnosing may cause the ESC to falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds, which may cause the driver difficulty in maintaining the vehicle's desired path of travel and desired vehicle speed, and could result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Gm dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module free of charge. The safety recall began on september 12, 2011. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080.
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling certain model year 2012 buick lacrosse passenger vehicles manufactured from june 9, 2011, through july 2, 2011, for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 126, "electronic stability control systems (ESC)." the stabilitrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the safety standard.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Sands chevrolet/hybrid system fire/stall
Summary
Nhtsa opened aq14-001 to determine whether sands chevrolet of surprise, arizona complied with the requirements of the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act, 49 u.s.c. Chapter 301 (safety act) and its implementing regulations. The safety act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with federal motor vehicle safety standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 u.s.c. ?? 30112(a), 30120(I)).NHTSA issued an information request (ir) letter to sands chevrolet on may 5, 2014.sands chevrolet responded to thi
Generator control module fires
Summary
On july 5, 2013 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened recall query rq13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13v-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.these safety recalls were issue on may 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the generator control module (gcm) in certain model year (my) 2012-13 buick lacrosse and regal and my 2013 chevrolet malibu eco equipped with eassist.this condition may result in a loss of battery charge, engine stall and/or inability for the vehicle to start.in severe cases it may also lead to odor, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk.du
Questions about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Buick Lacrosse?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (62 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); engine (51 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); suspension (31 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Buick Lacrosse have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 22, 2021 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Buick Lacrosse?
- It is 5th of 15 Lacrosse model years by number of complaints, with 206 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.