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.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and suspension Extended coverage
120 serious complaints of 169, the most about engine (30) and suspension (27); per car on the road, 1.2× this model's usual year. 4 recalls.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2011 buick lacrosse. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, but it stalled again and the check engine warning indicator illuminated.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Sep 2017
“The contact owns a 2011 Buick LaCrosse. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 20V764000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the suspension, Jul 2021
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 On some vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LAF), the chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch. 12313D - Special Coverage. (12313D, Jun 2017)
- Extended coverage Special Coverage Adjustment - Engine Balance Chain and Fuel Pump - Equipped with 2.4L Engine (LAF) (12313, Jul 2013)
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.
169 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 20–23 mpg · NHTSA: 5 of 5 stars · 2011 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; 3.6L 6-cyl · Drive: AWD, FWD
2011 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.