2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse Problems: 9 Known Issues

GM recalled the Buick LaCrosse under NHTSA campaign 15V519000 (GM number 14291) because the headlamp driver module (HDM) can overheat and fail. When the module fails, the headlamps and the daytime running lights stop illuminating. NHTSA notes that headlamps which do not come on reduce how well the driver can see the road ahead and how easily oncoming traffic can see the LaCrosse, raising the risk of a crash. The campaign as a whole covers roughly 429,170 vehicles across several GM, Isuzu and Saab models — that figure is campaign-wide and is not a count of LaCrosse sedans.

NHTSA recall 14V355000 covers 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse sedans. On these cars the weight hanging on the key ring, combined with road conditions or some other jarring event, can move the ignition switch out of the run position while you are driving. GM's own guidance to LaCrosse owners is to strip the key ring down to nothing but the ignition key and to take the key fob off the ring as well until the recall work is done. The campaign is large - 3,141,731 vehicles across all makes and models included in it - and the LaCrosse is one of six GM vehicles named.

LaCrosse models equipped with the eAssist mild-hybrid system suffer recurring charging and 12V battery problems tied to the Generator Control Module and the hybrid battery energy control module. Owners report parasitic battery drain, no-start conditions, and "Service Battery Charging System" messages. GM issued a recall (NHTSA 13V173000) for a Generator Control Module malfunction on eAssist cars, and dealers ran a module/battery exchange program through GM TAC.

On certain 2014 LaCrosse vehicles, a wiring splice in the driver's door can corrode and break. This eliminates the audible key-in-ignition / door-open chime (increasing rollaway risk) and can leave the Retained Accessory Power module active for about ten minutes, allowing the power windows and sunroof to be operated after the vehicle is shut off, an injury risk for unsupervised occupants.

The GM 3.6L LLT (built 2007-2011) and LFX (built 2012 on) "High Feature" V6 in LaCrosse, Enclave, Acadia, Traverse, CTS, Cadillac SRX, and many others suffers timing chain stretch typically between 80,000-150,000 miles. Root cause is oil-related — original OLM intervals (up to 12,000 miles) starved the chain of fresh oil. Excessive oil consumption (LLT also has a known consumption issue) accelerates wear.

On certain third-generation LaCrosse models, the electrical connectors for the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system were not properly sealed, allowing water intrusion that corrodes the connectors. The resulting fault can cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing crash risk, particularly at low speeds. GM issued NHTSA recall 17V116000 to address it.

Rear suspension toe-links on certain 2017 LaCrosse sedans were improperly installed and could loosen and disconnect (recall 17V267000). A disconnected toe-link can cause a loss of vehicle control and a significant crash risk.

First-generation LaCrosse models with the GM 3.8L (Series III) V6 commonly develop lower intake manifold gasket leaks, and the plastic coolant elbow at the water pump deforms from heat and leaks. Coolant loss can lead to overheating; in severe upper-intake cases coolant can enter a cylinder and hydro-lock the engine. This is a well-documented age/heat-related failure on this engine family.

Across LaCrosse generations the HVAC blower motor (and on some 3800-era cars the blower resistor) commonly fails as the car ages, causing intermittent or no airflow. Additionally, on certain 2011 LaCrosse models a software fault in the electronic climate control (ECC) module can disable the ability to adjust HVAC settings entirely (recall 11V149000), leaving the driver unable to control heating, cooling, and ventilation.