2nd generation · GM Epsilon II (long wheelbase) · 1,233 complaints, 864 with mileage
Owners filed 1,233 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2016 Buick Lacrosse, and 864 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
This generation has two distinct failure patterns rather than one, which is the most useful thing on this page. 20% of failures occur before 12,000 miles, which looks like a manufacturing defect, and a further 19% occur after 100,000, which looks like wear. Two different problems share one name in the complaint data — and an average of the two describes neither.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (17.6% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles), the engine (12.8% of complaints, typically around 63,000 miles), the steering (9.2% of complaints, typically around 51,000 miles).
14 recall campaigns cover this generation.
| System | Complaints | Share | Typical mileage | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 217 | 17.6% | 60,000 | 21,327–90,000 |
| Engine | 158 | 12.8% | 63,000 | 38,414–85,000 |
| Steering | 114 | 9.2% | 51,000 | 25,000–79,535 |
| Suspension | 102 | 8.3% | 66,938 | 11,000–146,000 |
| Power Train | 84 | 6.8% | 41,000 | 12,000–83,177 |
| Unknown Or Other | 69 | 5.6% | 62,500 | 12,000–100,000 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 68 | 5.5% | 72,667 | 52,894–107,666 |
| Service Brakes | 66 | 5.4% | 50,000 | 33,000–80,000 |
| Air Bags | 56 | 4.5% | 44,000 | 15,000–78,000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 51 | 4.1% | 47,508 | 15,495–87,737 |
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 278 | 209 |
| 2011 | 244 | 185 |
| 2012 | 308 | 216 |
| 2013 | 199 | 122 |
| 2014 | 90 | 68 |
| 2015 | 54 | 33 |
| 2016 | 60 | 31 |
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 54,456 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 17.6% of complaints (217 reports, 151 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,327 and 90,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 12.8% of complaints (158 reports, 133 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 63,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,414 and 85,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 9.2% of complaints (114 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 79,535 miles.
The suspension accounts for 8.3% of complaints (102 reports, 35 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,938 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 146,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.8% of complaints (84 reports, 67 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 41,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 83,177 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 5.6% of complaints (69 reports, 36 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 100,000 miles.
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 308 complaints — while 2015 drew the fewest at 54. The median year sits at 199.
NHTSA records 14 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the suspension (3), the electrical system (3), the seat belts (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Of the 1,233 complaints filed against this generation, 79 reported a crash; 26 reported a fire; 57 reported an injury; 1 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 6.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
For a buyer, the two-peak pattern is the useful part. The early cluster — 20% of failures below 12,000 miles — will already have happened on any example you are looking at today, and either been repaired under warranty or not. Ask what was done. The late cluster, 19% above 100,000 miles, is the one still ahead of you if the car has lower mileage than that.
On inspection, the electrical system and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 60,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
3.6L LLT timing chain stretch. Root cause chain: internal oil consumption (early valve cover / PCV design) combined with an oil life monitor that did not account for the consumption, so the engine ran low on oil and starved the chain tensioners. Presents as cold-start rattle plus P0008/P0009/P0011/P0016. GM Special Coverage Adjustment #11340 extended timing chain coverage to 10 years / 120,000 miles. The 2012 switch to the LFX revised the chain hardware and largely resolved it.
2.4L LAF Ecotec excessive oil consumption attributed to piston ring and PCV design, which can in turn starve the variable valve timing actuators (P0011/P0014).
eAssist 115V lithium-ion battery pack and power-inverter module failures, and accessory-belt-driven motor/generator faults, disabling stop-start and electric assist.
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V00F000 | 2022-01-27 | Suspension:Rear |
| 21V633000 | 2022-01-03 | Suspension:Rear |
| 20V764000 | 2021-08-19 | Suspension:Rear |
| 17V437000 | 2017-08-04 | Seat Belts:Pretensioner |
| 16V651000 | 2016-10-13 | Seat Belts:Pretensioner |
| 15V666000 | 2015-10-19 | Air Bags:Side/Window |
| 14V447000 | 2014-12-26 | Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust |
| 14V317000 | 2014-08-01 | Electrical System |
| 14V240000 | 2014-06-23 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc |
| 14V092000 | 2014-04-10 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission |
| 13V173000 | 2013-06-11 | Electrical System |
| 13V097000 | 2013-04-03 | Electrical System:Software |
| 11V404000 | 2011-08-12 | Electronic Stability Control (Esc) |
| 11V149000 | 2011-03-11 | Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Windshield:Electrical Heating Element |