Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2010CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and stability control Extended coverage
149 serious complaints of 189, the most about engine (44) and stability control (23); per car on the road, 1.7× this model's usual year. 2 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2010 buick lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Feb 2014
“The contact owns a 2010 buick lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the stability control warning light illuminated and the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the stability control sensor would have to be replaced.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the stability control, Sep 2013
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage The chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch. 12313 - Special Coverage. (G-169470, Jul 2013)
- Extended coverage The chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch. 12313A - Special Coverage (revised part information). (G-171837, Jul 2013)
- Extended coverage On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX, and Chevrolet Impala; 2008, 2011-2012 MY… (GCUS-9-939, Sep 2015)
- Extended coverage On some various model year vehicles, the throttle-position sensor may cause the engine to run rough, cause the malfunction-indicator lamp and/or an engine reduced power message to illuminate, and reduce the engine's power. 14582A - Special Coverage (2012 model year Buick Enclave, Lacrosse, Regal;… (GCUS-9-1009, Oct 2015)
- Extended coverage Special Coverage Adjustment - Engine Balance Chain and Fuel Pump - Equipped with 2.4L Engine (LAF) (12313, Jul 2013)
- Extended coverage 12313C - Special Coverage. Bulletin was revised to remove special coverage adjustment for the fuel pump that is now included in Voluntary Emissions Recall 43180. (GCUS-9-2887, Sep 2016)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
189 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–23 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Every Lacrosse year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl; 3.0L 6-cyl; 3.6L 6-cyl · Drive: 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive, FWD
2010 Lacrosse trims
| CX | CXL | CXS |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Buick reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Buick aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 23–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 6 | Unknown or other (3) | — |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 23–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 12 | Electrical system (5) | — |
| 2017 | 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 23–25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 36 | Electrical system (11) | — |
| 2016 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 48 | Steering (12) | — |
| 2015 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 44 | Steering (12) | — |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 63 | Electrical system (14) | — |
| 2013 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–29 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 129 | Electrical system (54) | — |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–28 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 206 | Electrical system (62) | — |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–23 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 169 | Electrical system (32) | — |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.0L 6-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive, FWD | 19–23 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 189 | Electrical system (46) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Buick LaCrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 6 |
| 2019 | Buick LaCrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 6 |
| 2019 | Buick LaCrosse Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 5 |
| 2018 | Buick LaCrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 12 |
| 2018 | Buick LaCrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 12 |
| 2018 | Buick LaCrosse Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 10 |
| 2017 | Buick LaCrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 36 |
| 2017 | Buick LaCrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 36 |
| 2016 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 48 |
| 2016 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 48 |
| 2016 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 41 |
| 2016 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 41 |
| 2015 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 44 |
| 2015 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 44 |
| 2015 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 43 |
| 2015 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 43 |
| 2014 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 5 | 63 |
| 2014 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 5 | 63 |
| 2014 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | No | 5 | 60 |
| 2014 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | No | 5 | 60 |
| 2013 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 5 | 129 |
| 2013 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 5 | 129 |
| 2013 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 4 | 124 |
| 2013 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 4 | 124 |
| 2012 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 5 | 206 |
| 2012 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 5 | 206 |
| 2012 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 | Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD | 5 | No | No | 4 | 169 |
| 2011 | Buick Lacrosse 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 4 | 169 |
| 2010 | Buick Lacrosse 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 189 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | LaCrosse | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 24 |
| 2019 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 23 |
| 2019 | LaCrosse eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2018 | LaCrosse | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 24 |
| 2018 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 23 |
| 2018 | LaCrosse eAssist | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2017 | LaCrosse | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 25 |
| 2017 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 23 |
| 2016 | LaCrosse | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
21 |
| 2016 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2016 | LaCrosse eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 28 |
| 2015 | LaCrosse | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
21 |
| 2015 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2015 | LaCrosse eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 28 |
| 2014 | LaCrosse | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
21 |
| 2014 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2014 | LaCrosse eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 28 |
| 2013 | LaCrosse | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
21 |
| 2013 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2013 | LaCrosse eAssist | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 29 |
| 2012 | LaCrosse | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV; Sport Transmission |
21 |
| 2012 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2012 | LaCrosse eAssist | Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L | 28 |
| 2011 | LaCrosse | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
20–23 |
| 2011 | LaCrosse AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L | 20 |
| 2010 | Lacrosse/Allure | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
20–23 |
| 2010 | Lacrosse/Allure AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 19 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.