What is the 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse Headlamp Driver Module Overheats and Kills Headlights (Recall 15V519000)?

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 r… Severity: high.

What is the 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse Ignition Switch Can Rotate Out of Run With a Loaded Key Ring (Recall 14V355000)?

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 ow… Severity: high.

What is the 2010-2012 Buick LaCrosse 3.6L V6 Timing Chain Stretch and Wear?

The GM 3.6L V6 (LY7/LLT, and to a lesser extent the early LFX) used in the second-generation LaCrosse is prone to premature timing chain wear and stretch, especially on pre-2012 engines. Worn chains throw off cam-to-crank correlation, setting timing codes and, if neglected, can c… Repairs typically run $1,500-$3,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse 3.8L V6 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket / Plastic Coolant Elbow Leaks?

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… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: high.

What is the 2010-2016 Buick LaCrosse LaCrosse 3.6L LLT/LFX Timing Chain Stretch?

The GM 3.6L LLT (2007-2011) and LFX (2012+) "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) st… Repairs typically run $2,000-$4,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2012-2016 Buick LaCrosse eAssist 12V Battery Drain and "Service Battery Charging System" Warnings?

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 Char… Repairs typically run $500-$2,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse Intermittent Low-Beam Headlight Failure?

First-generation LaCrosse/Allure owners filed a large number of NHTSA complaints about the low-beam headlights cutting off intermittently while driving, then sometimes coming back on. This is one of the single most-reported problems for the 2006 model year and a recognized safety… Severity: high.

What is the 2017 Buick LaCrosse Rear Suspension Toe-Link May Loosen / Fracture (Recalls 17V267000 & later)?

Rear suspension toe-links on certain LaCrosse sedans were improperly installed and could loosen and disconnect (recall 17V267000), and a later expanded campaign covered toe-links that could fracture due to corrosion in salt-belt regions. A disconnected or broken toe-link causes a… Severity: high.

What is the 2014 Buick LaCrosse Driver Door Wiring Splice Corrosion (Recall 14V317000)?

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 pow… Severity: medium.

What is the 2008-2014 Buick LaCrosse HVAC Blower Motor and Climate Control Module Failures?

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, a software fault in the electronic climate control (ECC) module can disable the ability to adjust HV… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: medium.

Buick · Known Issues

2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse Problems: 11 Known Issues

2005-2017 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

Share:@au7o.io

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse has 11 documented known issues, with 9 rated critical. The most serious are Electronic Power Steering Connector Corrosion / Loss of Assist (Recall 17V116000), Headlamp Driver Module Overheats and Kills Headlights (Recall 15V519000), Ignition Switch Can Rotate Out of Run With a Loaded Key Ring (Recall 14V355000), 3.6L V6 Timing Chain Stretch and Wear ($1,500-$3,000 repair), 3.8L V6 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket / Plastic Coolant Elbow Leaks ($300-$900 repair), LaCrosse 3.6L LLT/LFX Timing Chain Stretch ($2,000-$4,500 repair), eAssist 12V Battery Drain and "Service Battery Charging System" Warnings ($500-$2,500 repair), Intermittent Low-Beam Headlight Failure and . at .

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Buick LaCrosse problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Electronic Power Steering Connector Corrosion / Loss of Assist (Recall 17V116000), Headlamp Driver Module Overheats and Kills Headlights (Recall 15V519000), Ignition Switch Can Rotate Out of Run With a Loaded Key Ring (Recall 14V355000). Of these, 9 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Buick LaCrosse reliable?

The 2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse has 11 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 9 issues are rated critical: Electronic Power Steering Connector Corrosion / Loss of Assist (Recall 17V116000) and Headlamp Driver Module Overheats and Kills Headlights (Recall 15V519000) and Ignition Switch Can Rotate Out of Run With a Loaded Key Ring (Recall 14V355000) and 3.6L V6 Timing Chain Stretch and Wear and 3.8L V6 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket / Plastic Coolant Elbow Leaks and LaCrosse 3.6L LLT/LFX Timing Chain Stretch and eAssist 12V Battery Drain and "Service Battery Charging System" Warnings and Intermittent Low-Beam Headlight Failure and Rear Suspension Toe-Link May Loosen / Fracture (Recalls 17V267000 & later). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Buick LaCrosse problems?

Repair costs for known Buick LaCrosse issues range from $150 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Buick LaCrosse is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Buick LaCrosse. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse with 11 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.

All 11 Known Issues

Other Buick Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Buick LaCrosse problems?

Is the Buick LaCrosse reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Buick LaCrosse problems?

What year Buick LaCrosse is the most reliable?

Headlamp Driver Module Overheats and Kills Headlights (Recall 15V519000)#

Ignition Switch Can Rotate Out of Run With a Loaded Key Ring (Recall 14V355000)#

eAssist 12V Battery Drain and "Service Battery Charging System" Warnings#

Intermittent Low-Beam Headlight Failure#

Driver Door Wiring Splice Corrosion (Recall 14V317000)#

3.6L V6 Timing Chain Stretch and Wear#

LaCrosse 3.6L LLT/LFX Timing Chain Stretch#

Electronic Power Steering Connector Corrosion / Loss of Assist (Recall 17V116000)#

3.8L V6 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket / Plastic Coolant Elbow Leaks#

Rear Suspension Toe-Link May Loosen / Fracture (Recalls 17V267000 & later)#

HVAC Blower Motor and Climate Control Module Failures#

What is the 2017 Buick LaCrosse Electronic Power Steering Connector Corrosion / Loss of Assist (Recall 17V116000)?