NHTSA — Power Train Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,939 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Buick LaCrosse Owner Comments

problem #18

Apr 172019

LaCrosse

  • miles

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

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 #17

Feb 012021

LaCrosse

  • 10,000 miles
The cem on these cars go out very fast without no notice

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #16

Nov 262019

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. After several attempts the vehicle restarted. Additionally, the contact was concerned about moisture entering the vehicle from an unknown source. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the throttle body and O2 sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Oldfield, MO, USA

problem #15

Dec 112019

LaCrosse

  • 55,900 miles

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

The car was just purchased on 112619 and the day I bought I got warning light on dash next day car is in reduced power mode, took back to carmax to have this issue resolved they cleaned tps adv it was dirty poor contact. Two days later the light is back on this time the car is sent to Buick dealership in gilbert they replaced the throttle position sensor and I was told issue is fixed 24 hours later car is back in reduced power mode

- Coolidge, AZ, USA

problem #14

Jan 272019

LaCrosse

  • 74,930 miles
My car stated that my trakstabilty system needed to be serviced then reduced engine power lite up. Car would not shift and would not increase in speed over twenty miles per hour. I had to pull over and turn my car off leave it parked until I could get it to the dealership. The throttle body was defective. This has happened on other 2011 Lacrosses and their is a special service bulletin with free repair but for some reason not in mine. I had to pay 500 dollar to replace this. My car only has 74000 miles on it and I could have been injured if I wasn't in a place where I could turn my vehicle off safely.

- Port Huron, MI, USA

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problem #13

Jun 192018

LaCrosse

  • 105,000 miles
The vehicle started to voluntarily come to a stop, and cut itself off without notice. Then, subsequently, the battery light/icon started to appear onto the dash screen, followed by a deceleration while driving with an information notice stating that the battery power had been reduced. With this notification your ability to accelerate becomes hindered, and having consulted with on-star, a diagnostic test resulted with a code of P-0335, and the problem listed as an ignition system engine misfire. Such diagnosis comes with a warning of speed precautions, and highway driving is not recommended.

- Mayfield Village, Ohio, OH, USA

problem #12

Apr 132018

LaCrosse

  • 89,000 miles

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

The transmission, with approx 89,000 miles burned up while I was on a road trip. I was 9 hours from my home and alone with a full car of vacation equipment. I was on interstate 24 in nashville Tennessee. I pulled off and a service station checked why the engine light was on. They said the codes showed transmission problems. I should try to get to the nearest Buick dealer, in clarksville Tennessee. They said it would make it. I was alone. Thank goodness for onstar. I had to spend the night in clarksville because the dealership was closed and it was getting dark. The car was barely moving by now. It was frightening. I stayed the night at a baymont in clarksville and was at the dealership at 6 30 am. Was praying it could be fixed and I could continue on my was to milwaukee with my beautiful car, which I had put so much effort in keeping in good running condition. Just before my trip, I had replaced my tires with beautiful michelins, and sick my car had gone into limp mode twice, replaced the throttle body. Everything ready for a road trip to amelia island from milwaukee. Wyatt johnson dealership said the transmission was shot. $4500 to fix, and would take a week. I was stuck. I had to get home 9 hours away. I would need a rental to drive home, then drive back then drive home if I would have the new transmission. I gave my beautiful car to them for $1500. I bought another 2015 Lacrosse. I had to unload a full car into the new one. Extremely frightening situation. I now have a 2015 Buick Lacrosse which I bought for 19,800. Just so shocking that an american made transmission would burn up at 89,000 miles. The car was in motion, but in slow traffic on the expressway in nashville when the problem began. I will send copies of all documents.

- Wind Lake, WI, USA

problem #11

Jul 162016

LaCrosse

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the vehicle began to leak fuel from under the housing unit. Whenever the contact attempted to accelerate from a stop, it would jerk and hesitate before accelerating. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #10

Nov 152016

LaCrosse

  • 29,750 miles
My vehicle a 2011 Buick Lacrosse cxl 2.4L engine RPO laf. I have a problem with the engine making noise due to balance shaft chain special coverage recall 12313 where back then they included in the recall the balance shaft chain, tensioner, and also the engine mount high pressure fuel pump, then to say this bulletin has been revised to remove special coverage adjustment for the fuel pump that is now included in voluntary emissions recall 43180. Updates have been made to the part information, service procedure, and warranty transaction information sections. Please discard all copies of bulletin 12313B. Came the revised 12313B and now as of September 2016 revised again to 12313C. When you look at the 43180 it does not include the 2011 Buick Lacrosse with the same engine RPO laf. I've called GM various times and spoke even to the GM dealer, my car was even at the dealer sitting there for weeks to only say it's not covered that I have to wait for it to get recalled. My vehicle has the same exact symptoms, the oil smells like gas, and I can't shut off the vehicle, it stays running and the only way to shut it off is putting it on drive then shutting it off. All this due to on some 2010-2011 model year Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet equinox, and GMC terrain; and 2011 model year Buick regal vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine (laf), the chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch. This would cause an engine noise, and if left untreated, could cause the chain to break, leading to engine damage. This is causing the engine to not run right and a hard time to accelerate GM case # 8-2573359821

- Morovis, PR, USA

problem #9

May 012014

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • miles
2011 Buick Lacrosse. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle transmission problems. The consumer stated when he attempted to shift from park to reverse or drive, there was a 5-15 second delay before the transmission responded.

- Cedar Falls, IA, USA

problem #8

Feb 112011

LaCrosse

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. While driving at various speeds, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be diagnosed. The contact stated that the error codes were removed from the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the battery of the vehicle had to be replaced on several occasions, but the dealer could not diagnose why the batteries were failing. While driving to have routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #7

Sep 012015

LaCrosse

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. While driving 35 mph, the gear would not shift and prevented the vehicle from accelerating. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

problem #6

May 132015

LaCrosse

  • 59,000 miles
Currently, my car has 62K miles on it. 2011 Buick lacross cxl AWD 3.6 engine. The car is jerking forward during the low speeds between 2000-2500 RPM, when I move my foot off the accelerator, tranny shifts from 1st gear to 2nd or 3rd to 4th and this makes a very noticeable forward jerk. I have noticed this 6 months ago when it was not very noticeable but now it is getting worse. Specially in the city, during the stop and go traffic it is really very annoying and dangerous. If I drive longer it gets worse and sometimes I have to slam on the breaks to stop or slow down the car specially if I am going downhill. This happens when I start accelerating slowly from stop, up to 2000-2500 RPM and then move my foot off the accelerator. Basically tranny shifts to the 2nd gear (or 3rd) and jerks very noticeably forward. If I keep on pressing the gas pedal, it keeps acceleration without any problem. In slow stop and go city traffic if I want to slow down or stop, I basically take my foot off the gas pedal, this causes car to shift to upper gear and jerk forward, sometimes in the traffic I need to slam on the brakes to stop or slow down. Happens only during the low speeds (10-20 mph), and stop and go traffic.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #5

Apr 032015

LaCrosse

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 8 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician replaced the faulty power sensor; however, three weeks after the repair, the failure recurred. The dealer was unable to locate the issue. In addition, there was excessive hesitation whenever driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #4

Oct 312012

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
New Buick with less than 30,000 miles (18 months old), left rear wheel bearing went bad and had to be replaced. 48,000 (22 months old) both right and left (again) rear wheel bearings bad and had to be replaced. Three rear wheel bearings, less than 50,000 miles car less than 2 years old....seems more than a bit excessive.

- Mansfield , OH, USA

problem #3

Oct 252010

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 4,181 miles
I noticed this problem not long after getting car when stopped in drive going from brake to gas car seems to act like its on oil slick then catches on with a sudden jerk. It will also when going from gas to brake even on incline will lunge forward it also will just suddenly speed up with out any acceleration its like the car is in cruise control. I have had car in several times and always they cant tell me anything I'm not the only person who notices this anyone who is in car asks what was that or what just happened.

- Cincinnati, OH, 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

Aug 022011

LaCrosse

  • 9,142 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. While the vehicle was parked in a residential garage with the engine turned off, the vehicle unexpectedly reversed into the side of the garage door and continued to roll, crashing into a curb which stopped the vehicle. The driver side door and four rims were damaged. The driver side door required replacement and in addition, there was a dent above the front passenger side bumper. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they informed the contact that the failure was related to the power train. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer for diagnosis and collision repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 9,142. The VIN was unavailable.

- Admore, OK, USA

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