BUICK LACROSSE · model year

2012 BUICK LACROSSE

297 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012BUICKLACROSSE carries 297 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 4 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 LACROSSE is electrical system with 59 filings, followed by engine (45) and suspension (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2012 LACROSSE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

297
Complaints
15
Crashes
4
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
2012 BUICK LACROSSE — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

297 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM59
ENGINE45
SUSPENSION28
STEERING24
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)24
POWER TRAIN23
SERVICE BRAKES14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
SEATS5
WHEELS5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
SEAT BELTS4
AIR BAGS4

Recalls (5)

14V44700023/07/2014

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

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 t

21V00F00022/12/2021

SUSPENSION:REAR

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, Missou

20V76400021/12/2020

SUSPENSION:REAR

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, Missou

13V17300006/05/2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

11V40400003/08/2011

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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 IN

Recent Complaints

20251219ENGINE

All the specific details are unknown, but I had a mechanic work on my car and the problem that he had to fix. He stated that it should’ve been detected, but it was something wrong with my car, letting me know that I had the problem and also I have to keep replacing my camshaft timing Solenoid my car keeps giving me error codes P0011 and P0128

20251219SUSPENSION

All the specific details are unknown, but I had a mechanic work on my car and the problem that he had to fix. He stated that it should’ve been detected, but it was something wrong with my car, letting me know that I had the problem and also I have to keep replacing my camshaft timing Solenoid my car keeps giving me error codes P0011 and P0128

20251105CrashSTEERING

during a regular drive the check stabiltrack system message popped up on the dash in the middle circle and then the little car with the squiggly lines behind it popped up and the check engine light came on and started blinking. Immediately I noticed lack of steering control, the car's speed was accelerating and decelerating on its own, jerking and stalling also was observed. As of now the car sits in my driveway because I don't trust the safety of it. I literally feared my life was in danger driving it because of the lack of handling and the acceleration shifts that were so random. So I returned home, as I pulled into the yard the vehicle jerked hard while I was attempting turn into the driveway causing me to hit my mailbox and damaged the side fender and front bumper. no one was injured but the car was damaged as stated before and I'm scared to drive it anywhere. The unpredictable behavior displayed in the vehicle puts other drivers at risk as well because I can't control the vehicle

20251105CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

during a regular drive the check stabiltrack system message popped up on the dash in the middle circle and then the little car with the squiggly lines behind it popped up and the check engine light came on and started blinking. Immediately I noticed lack of steering control, the car's speed was accelerating and decelerating on its own, jerking and stalling also was observed. As of now the car sits in my driveway because I don't trust the safety of it. I literally feared my life was in danger driving it because of the lack of handling and the acceleration shifts that were so random. So I returned home, as I pulled into the yard the vehicle jerked hard while I was attempting turn into the driveway causing me to hit my mailbox and damaged the side fender and front bumper. no one was injured but the car was damaged as stated before and I'm scared to drive it anywhere. The unpredictable behavior displayed in the vehicle puts other drivers at risk as well because I can't control the vehicle

20251105CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

during a regular drive the check stabiltrack system message popped up on the dash in the middle circle and then the little car with the squiggly lines behind it popped up and the check engine light came on and started blinking. Immediately I noticed lack of steering control, the car's speed was accelerating and decelerating on its own, jerking and stalling also was observed. As of now the car sits in my driveway because I don't trust the safety of it. I literally feared my life was in danger driving it because of the lack of handling and the acceleration shifts that were so random. So I returned home, as I pulled into the yard the vehicle jerked hard while I was attempting turn into the driveway causing me to hit my mailbox and damaged the side fender and front bumper. no one was injured but the car was damaged as stated before and I'm scared to drive it anywhere. The unpredictable behavior displayed in the vehicle puts other drivers at risk as well because I can't control the vehicle

20250516ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 2012 Buick Lacrosse had a recall for Loss control generator control module, The recall was fixed, but recently my car shut off in the middle of the highway for the same issue. The vehicle was towed to the GM Buick Dealer and they quoted me $7, 525.00 for the part because it is an after market part and maybe currently unavailable. This is a safety issue and I could have been hurt. The car has malfunctioned due there recall issue and I feel they should fix the issue as they did before or issue me a newer vehicle. Please help me

20250403ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Improperly calibrated Stabilitrak ESC system. Accelerator pedal position sensors 1-2 5v reference 3 circuit Heated oxygen 2 sensor Car is losing power and esc light is on along with check engine light

20250403SEATS

Improperly calibrated Stabilitrak ESC system. Accelerator pedal position sensors 1-2 5v reference 3 circuit Heated oxygen 2 sensor Car is losing power and esc light is on along with check engine light

20250403VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Improperly calibrated Stabilitrak ESC system. Accelerator pedal position sensors 1-2 5v reference 3 circuit Heated oxygen 2 sensor Car is losing power and esc light is on along with check engine light

20241221ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I’m experiencing issues that seem to align with the gcm recall despite my vehicle supposedly being fixed for this recall prior to my purchase of it. I cannot run the heat with the headlights or various combinations of things that would otherwise be normal because the battery will drain within 30 minutes, resulting in the car to going into “battery saver mode” where each system begins to power off one by one which ends with the car losing speed and just turning off and not turning back on. I’ve been stuck and had to jump it more times than I can possibly count due to it not starting or going in the battery saver mode. I’ve noticed a weird odor that smells like burning wires. I’ve owned this car for 3 years and have had these same problems with it since the day I bought it. I’m at the point now where I don’t even drive it unless absolutely necessary because I’m afraid it will shut down or cause an accident. The power steering is always first to shut down and on various

20241221UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I’m experiencing issues that seem to align with the gcm recall despite my vehicle supposedly being fixed for this recall prior to my purchase of it. I cannot run the heat with the headlights or various combinations of things that would otherwise be normal because the battery will drain within 30 minutes, resulting in the car to going into “battery saver mode” where each system begins to power off one by one which ends with the car losing speed and just turning off and not turning back on. I’ve been stuck and had to jump it more times than I can possibly count due to it not starting or going in the battery saver mode. I’ve noticed a weird odor that smells like burning wires. I’ve owned this car for 3 years and have had these same problems with it since the day I bought it. I’m at the point now where I don’t even drive it unless absolutely necessary because I’m afraid it will shut down or cause an accident. The power steering is always first to shut down and on various

20241025AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s and driver’s seat air bags and the front passenger’s and driver’s door air bags deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The vehicle as taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed yet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

20240928ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was not in a car accident! Hoping not to be just want to report this issue.Car kills in mid driving stability track comes on flashing checking engine with stability light and track system light as well! leaves me stranded in the middle of wherever I am! Stability light comes on car will not start back up . It’s takes a while to start back up! Having kids in the car with this issue is a major problem! I have several videos of the car doing it and will try to keep track of it! The check engine light is not on when flashing not reads when I check it just stability lights! The car has been doing this for months now! I’ve read that this is an issue with other Buicks like mines. Please help get this issue resolved the proper way! Also the security comes on when the car does that

20240928UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was not in a car accident! Hoping not to be just want to report this issue.Car kills in mid driving stability track comes on flashing checking engine with stability light and track system light as well! leaves me stranded in the middle of wherever I am! Stability light comes on car will not start back up . It’s takes a while to start back up! Having kids in the car with this issue is a major problem! I have several videos of the car doing it and will try to keep track of it! The check engine light is not on when flashing not reads when I check it just stability lights! The car has been doing this for months now! I’ve read that this is an issue with other Buicks like mines. Please help get this issue resolved the proper way! Also the security comes on when the car does that

20240920STEERING

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.

20240920WHEELS

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.

20240920VISIBILITY/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.

20240831ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My 2012 Buick lacrosse died while driving putting me and my children at risk. Vehicle was then jumped but battery voltage kept decreasing. It says service batter charging. Took to mechanic they said all electric components say low voltage then had battery replaced to see if that would fix it but it did not and I was told it would need to go to dealership to have all parts replaced which is 4k+. Did research and it may relate to the electrical recall made on the cars in 2013.

20240822ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

while driving the Electronic Stability Control warning light comes on and the car loses power.

20240630UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving, the STABILITRAK indicator lighted and the car began to flash multiple warnings, loss of steering ability, electrical anomalies, and eventual shut-off. This happened while on a major interstate highway, jeopardizing the life of the driver and other drivers. This happened on multiple occasions within two days. The vehicle was towed to a service center, who had difficulty determining the cause. The service center suggested transferring the vehicle to an authorized GM dealership. Similar incidents have been reported by other owners on this website. This should be investigated immediately.

Compare 2012BUICKLACROSSE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 BUICK LACROSSE have?
The 2012 BUICK LACROSSE has 297 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 4 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 BUICK LACROSSE?
The 2012 BUICK LACROSSE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 BUICK LACROSSE?
Yes, the 2012 BUICK LACROSSE has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 BUICK LACROSSE?
The most-complained component for the 2012 BUICK LACROSSE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 59 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2012 BUICK LACROSSE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 BUICK LACROSSE has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.