NHTSA — Service Brakes Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,155 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Buick LaCrosse brakes problems

brakes problem

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2011 Buick LaCrosse Owner Comments

problem #16

Jun 302023

LaCrosse

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving down the highway and when I went to apply my brakes the pedal completely broke off. It was just dangling on the floorboard. I had no brakes. I was forced to put my car in neutral to slow myself down and apply my parking break in order to stop. The road was very busy and I was going 60mph. I could have died. Luckily I was able to make it over 2 lanes and stop in the grass on the side of the road. I had the car towed to my mechanic and he had to replace the whole brake assembly. I have the broken parts and they are available for inspection. There were no warning lights

- Collings Lakes, NJ, USA

problem #15

Dec 252022

LaCrosse

  • miles
The brakes are getting stuck on while I am driving. The most recent occurrence happened while I was on the highway. The car would not accelerate, the whole system was shaking, there was no safe space for me to pull over. This vehicle has a recall for this exact problem but from what the dealer is saying, not my VIN. I find it hard to believe that this has occurred and it is unrelated to a previous recall for faulty brakes on 2011 Buick LaCrosse. Since this incident, the abs light has been on and another dash light has been on. My mechanic believes the brakes getting too hot may have lead to further damage to the abs sensor.

- Riverside, IL, USA

problem #14

Apr 172019

LaCrosse

  • miles
The component is the brakes and the brake pedal while not engaging the brakes they remained on even after the vehicle was shut off.the vehicle brake lights remained on this was not duplicated when I took the car in by the dealer of how the brake remains engaged we even when not being used I would have to release the break by pulling it up with my foot while driving. This was duplicated and witnessed by two others the dealership where I bought the car and a trusted mechanic. which no avai there was no warning light indicating any type of concern prior to it doing this. the brake pedal being slightly stuck my transmission shifts not properly and hot feeling to the car now I have a warning saying that AC will not work due to the overheating of my engine which I believe to have repaired however the repair that was believed to be the problem obviously wasn't the problem because the light still remains on and the fan runs continuously the minute I start the car to the time I shut the car off I live in North Dakota and it is -1 today and the fan continues to run at all times and the warning light is on cooling fan the car lunges at times which is easy to lose control over when it does this it lunges to the point where it physically noticeable and and no warnings of this that a compensation is going to need to be made in my driving with this lunge issue. I do feel this break issue has affected many other parts of the vehicle and the safety associated with these components. Also at times the driver's seat will not move it goes up to the dash or back to the back seat leaving me in a position where I cannot drive the vehicle safely at all. Also the cruise control would not engage because of the brakes being slightly engaged. Took her to the dealership discussed this problem with them and they could not duplicate and it's been going on since I purchased the car It had 30,000 miles on it when I bought it and it continues to do this and I think it's a safety issue

- Minot, ND, USA

problem #13

Jun 282020

LaCrosse

  • 75,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake pedal does not raise after applying brakes. Brakes remain engaged causing drag and brake lights stay on. Intermittent problem. Must pull pedal back up to stop braking action and get brake lights to turn off. Dangerous situation that can cause damage to brake rotors and pads to wear out quickly.

- North Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #12

May 262020

LaCrosse 4-cyl

  • 135,452 miles
My wheel bearing needs replaced I'm not sure when it happened it just did. Also my ABS light is on and stays on I'm not sure what that's about or what it means.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #11

Dec 192019

LaCrosse

  • 78,000 miles
The brake pedal gets 'stuck' during normal breaking. I have to put my foot under the pedal and pull it back up or the brakes will not disengage.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #10

Jun 232019

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 33,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake pedal does not raise after apply, remains applied and brake lights remain on unwanted when car is in motion and stationary on streets, highways and while turning. GM issued an internal bulletin on 05/11/2018 (see pic5692D) recognizing that this problem exists among 5 of its models (Buick Lacrosse, Buick regal, Cadillac srx, Cadillac xts and Chevrolet Malibu) with the Lacrosse problem beginning 2010 through 2015. Brustolon, a GM dealer in mystic, ct charged me $70.63 to replace the pedal and retainer clips. Given how widespread this problem has been among several GM models for up to 6 years, this repair should be the responsibility of GM as a recall at no cost to the vehicle owner.this situation is a significant safety issue because the brake pedal when depressed remains applied wearing the brakes out prematurely.

- Mesquite, NV, USA

problem #9

Dec 132018

LaCrosse

  • 71,000 miles
While accelerating from a stop at an intersection and intitating a trn on a city street, the engine stopped and lost power steering and power brakes. The engine had to be jumped and a rod knock sound occurred. The engine later siezed up permanently at the service center. The vehicle was well maintained and oil levels were within normal operating range. There were no prior indications of engine trouble.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

problem #8

Jan 262018

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
While driving uphill in the winter, went to turn into neighborhood at top of hill, just as turning the vehicle, vehicle died. Everything stopped working. Engine shut off, brakes wouldn't work, steering wheel locked, lights went off, then wouldn't start. Then the vehicle instructed to roll driver window down then up, roll right window down then up. Almost like it was trying to reboot. But this happened in the middle of driving. After trying a third time to start, it started. All information was gone, no mileage, oil life gone, tripometer gone. Drove vehicle home, just a block away and been too scared to drive the vehicle since.

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #7

Dec 302016

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. While driving 45 mph, the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle skidded and the contact lost control of the vehicle the stabilitrac and ABS warning indicators remained illuminated. The contact stated that the reduced power warning indicator also illuminated. It was diagnosed that there was a defective sensor in the rear driver side wheel hub that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 05/04/17 the consumer stated the vehicle has been repaired. The consumer feels the vehicle should be included in a recall. Updated 07/25/2017

- Abilene, KS, USA

problem #6

Jul 232016

LaCrosse

  • 33,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While attempting to stop at stop sign by applying brakes vehicle failed to stop then accelerated. While applying brakes as much as possible brakes still failed with vehicle plying through field and coming to rest only when plowing into an embankment,

- Lacoochee, FL, USA

problem #5

Mar 052015

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 96,400 miles
I was making a left turn and the car accelerated towards the right towards a curb on a residential street and steering wheel and car wheels locked up. I could not turn the wheels and the steering lost its power bringing the car to slam into the curb. I had no control of steering or turning the wheel of the car.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #4

Apr 252014

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 5,004 miles
Attempted to stop for red traffic light; applied brakes but they failed to stop vehicle. Car then accelerated -- used both feet on brake pedal unsuccessfully. Steering wheel locked up launching car into vehicles parked in a used car dealership lot.

- West Mifflin, PA, USA

problem #3

Mar 292013

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 17,991 miles
Backing into parking space when brakes failed. No prior warning or failure lights ever came on.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #2

Feb 082012

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
Sudden and unexpected acceleration during a low speed (<5 mph) tight left hand turn. First incident resulted in crash against house wall, damage to vehicle. Vehicle repaired below insurance deductible, no damage to structure. Second incident in a parking lot, on or about May 16, 2012, able to stop vehicle with no crash. Third incident occurred at neighbors house June 26, 2012, causing crash. Damage to vehicle and garage door. All incidents occurred when lifting from accelerator prior to stepping on the brake to shift into reverse (vehicle still in drive, no braking). After 3rd incident vehicle was drivable but was towed to the selling/servicing Buick dealer. Vehicle is still being investigated by dealer. Condition does not occur every time in the same tight left hand turn. Type of turn is 90 degrees in driveways to side loading garages and into parking spaces.

- Southport, NC, USA

problem #1

Jan 302012

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 5,334 miles
While driving vehicle, vehicle electronics went inopt while cruising down highway at 60 mph. Speedometer, instrument cluster, turn signals, navigation and radio were all inopt.

- Katy, TX, USA

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