Drifts To The Left

2011 Buick LaCrosse

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Buick dealer.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
6,450 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
2011 Buick LaCrosse steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Buick LaCrosse Owner Comments

problem #4

Sep 122013

LaCrosse CXL 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,913 miles

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

Steering wheel and car pull to the left.

Bought this LaCroose used with +21K miles on it and original warranty remianing. Before the purchase I paid for a Vehicle inspection and an alignment check at an independent shop (all passed within specs.). 1. First time at GM dealer they said that they could not duplicate my complaint so I paid to have the vehicle aligned by their shop, this did not improve the pulling and drifting to the left without constant clockwise pressure on the wheel. At this same visit the dealer swapped the wheels left to right (no change) then front to back (no change), road tested by me after each change. 2. Next visit I showed the service manager the service history that included no reported accidents and a complaint from the first owners of the same pulling problem. At this visit the dealer tweaked the alignment, and the pulling and drifting was minimized. Visits 3 and 4 the dealer tweaked alignment some more, its pulling and drifting lessened each time but is still there.

Its quite fatiguing and annoying on long trips not to mention possible tire wear or loss of traction on snow or ice.

- Ron H., Omaha, NE, US

problem #3

Jul 152011

LaCrosse CXL 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

Within a few weeks of buying this car it started drifting to the left, even on straight, level roads. The dealer is unable to fix the problem and says that it's a know issue due to the 18" tires the car came with. If the tires cause the problem why did GM sell the car with 18" tires? I've had the car in twice for this problem and was told that the dealers opened a ticket with GM and I would be notified when a fix is available...have never heard anything back and now just drive the car with constant pressure on the wheel to make sure it doesn't drift. It's a not a huge deal, but certainly not the way a luxury car should handle.

- John G., Reading, PA, US

problem #2

Mar 112011

LaCrosse CXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

My new Buick Lacrosse 2011 with 1500 miles is veering to the left. You must keep constant pressure on the wheel to keep it straight. Seems to vary based on road slope.

It will change lanes in less than 200 feet if you letgo of the wheel. Front tires have been replaced, car aligned, frame checked and steering gear replaced....still veers. The dealer is now looking at modifying the caster? No results yet.

Update from May 4, 2011: Dealer correct the toe on all wheels and slotted the camber mounts on the drivers front wheel to go from a camber of +.1 to -.4. This corrected the problem and the car runs straight.

- Bob W., Tonawanda, NY, US

problem #1

Dec 252010

LaCrosse

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25 miles

This car has a tendency to drift left even on the straightest of roads. The dealer has balanced the tires three times, did two wheel alignments, and reset the steering column to dead center (it was there already). Playing with the tires seemed to minimize the drift, but I just had the 5000 mile old change and rotation, and the issue is back with a vengeance.

On a straight uncupped road, take your hand off the steering column and the car will change lanes in about 500 ft. Service Manager has told me they design these cars with the right front tire physically forward of the left front tire. I should not have to keep a constant clockwise pressure on the steering wheel to get the car going straight down a straight road.

Service has done all the standard adjustments they can, is this a design flaw? Anybody else have this type of problem?

Update from Apr 12, 2011: The problem is fixed.....they replaced all four tires. Described as radial drift, whatever that is.

The car is extremely responsive to the steering, so you have to watch out on roads that are cupped to the left or the right, but it definitely goes straight down the road now.

- Dave B., Rochester, NY, US

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