Buick · Known Issues

2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse Problems: 9 Issues Every Owner Should Know

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

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse has 9 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are Rear Suspension Toe-Link May Loosen / Fracture (Recalls 17V267000 & later), LaCrosse 3.6L LLT/LFX Timing Chain Stretch ($2,000-$4,500 repair), 3.8L V6 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket / Plastic Coolant Elbow Leaks ($300-$900 repair), Electronic Power Steering Connector Corrosion / Loss of Assist (Recall 17V116000), 3.6L V6 Timing Chain Stretch and Wear ($1,500-$3,000 repair), eAssist 12V Battery Drain and "Service Battery Charging System" Warnings ($500-$2,500 repair) and Intermittent Low-Beam Headlight Failure. Across all issues, repair costs range from $150 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

All 9 Known Issues

On the 2012-2016 Buick LaCrosse, 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 Charging System" messages. GM issued a recall (NHTSA 13V173000) for a Generator Control Module malfunction on eAssist cars, and dealers ran a module/battery exchange program through GM TAC.

Common Symptoms

Service Battery Charging System warning message
Battery drains overnight / parasitic draw
No-start or intermittent no-start
Reduced or lost hybrid assist and fuel economy
Stalling

How to Fix

Have the dealer diagnose the Generator Control Module and Battery Energy Control Module per the GM exchange/recall program; replace failed modules and the 12V battery as needed. Check for the open recall by VIN. Inspect the hybrid battery control module wiring harness for shorts when chasing parasitic drain.

Typical repair cost:$500 - $2,500

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On the 2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse, 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 concern because of sudden loss of forward lighting at night.

Common Symptoms

Low-beam headlights turn off intermittently while driving
Headlights flicker
One or both headlights cut out then return
Loss of forward lighting at night

How to Fix

Diagnose the headlight wiring, the underhood bussed electrical center/relays, and the headlamp switch/connectors for heat damage and loose terminals; repair or replace affected harness connectors and relays. Some owners resolve it by replacing corroded headlamp socket connectors.

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On the 2014 Buick LaCrosse, 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 power windows and sunroof to be operated after the vehicle is shut off, an injury risk for unsupervised occupants.

Common Symptoms

No door-open chime when key is in ignition
Power windows/sunroof operate after car is off
Intermittent driver door window/lock operation
Door switch functions stop working

How to Fix

Under recall 14V317000, dealers inspect the driver door window motor harness and replace the electrical splice as necessary, free of charge. For non-recall door-harness wear, repair or re-splice the broken wires in the door jamb flex loom.

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On the 2010-2016 Buick LaCrosse 3.6L LFX/LLT V6, 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) starved the chain of fresh oil. Excessive oil consumption (LLT also has a known consumption issue) accelerates wear.

This issue also affects: Buick LeSabre, Buick Park Avenue, Buick Cascada

Common Symptoms

cold start rattle
check engine light
extended cranking
misfire
low oil between changes

How to Fix

Full timing chain kit ($2,000-$3,500 incl. labor) — both primary and secondary chains, all tensioners and guides. Switch to 5,000-7,500 mile oil intervals with full-synthetic dexos1 5W-30. LLT engines may also need PCV valve replacement to reduce oil consumption (TSB 10-06-01-007).

Typical repair cost:$2,000 - $4,500

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On the 2010-2012 Buick LaCrosse, 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 cause valve-to-piston contact and catastrophic engine damage. The problem is worsened by extended oil-change intervals and a marginal PCV system that accelerates oil contamination.

This issue also affects: Buick Cascada, Buick Enclave, Buick Encore

Common Symptoms

Metallic rattle or clatter from front of engine for 2-5 seconds on cold start
Check engine light
Reduced engine power / limp mode
Engine ticking or rattling noise
Rough running or misfire

How to Fix

Replace the timing chains, guides, and tensioners (a full timing set) along with the cam phasers; budget for a labor-intensive front-of-engine teardown. Maintain strict 5,000-mile oil changes with the correct dexos1 oil to prevent recurrence. GM revised chain and tensioner components for later production engines.

Typical repair cost:$1,500 - $3,000

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On the 2017 Buick LaCrosse, 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 sudden loss of vehicle control and a significant crash risk.

Common Symptoms

Clunking or knocking from rear suspension
Rear-end wandering or loss of control
Uneven rear tire wear
Loose-feeling rear end

How to Fix

Under the applicable recall, dealers inspect the left and right rear suspension toe-link assemblies and correct the installation or replace corroded links free of charge. Owners in road-salt states should check for the expanded toe-link recall by VIN and have rear suspension inspected.

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On the 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 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 a cylinder and hydro-lock the engine. This is a well-documented age/heat-related failure on this engine family.

Common Symptoms

Coolant smell and slow coolant loss
Visible coolant leak near intake / water pump
Overheating
Low coolant warning
White exhaust smoke or hydro-lock in severe cases

How to Fix

Replace the lower intake manifold gaskets with GM's revised gasket (higher-temp rubber with metal coolant-passage inserts) and swap the plastic coolant elbows for metal Dorman replacements. Pressure-test the cooling system and inspect for oil/coolant intermixing during the repair.

Typical repair cost:$300 - $900

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On the 2017 Buick LaCrosse, on certain third-generation LaCrosse models, the electrical connectors for the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system were not properly sealed, allowing water intrusion that corrodes the connectors. The resulting fault can cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing crash risk, particularly at low speeds. GM issued NHTSA recall 17V116000 to address it.

Common Symptoms

Sudden loss of power steering assist
Heavy / hard steering
Power steering warning light
Intermittent steering assist

How to Fix

Under recall 17V116000, dealers inspect, correct the seal seating, and secure the EPS connector seals free of charge. Owners should verify the recall has been completed by VIN; if assist is lost, have the EPS connectors and module inspected for corrosion.

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On the 2008-2014 Buick LaCrosse, 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 HVAC settings entirely, leaving the driver unable to control heating, cooling, and ventilation.

Common Symptoms

No air from vents or only on certain fan speeds
Blower works intermittently
Cannot adjust temperature or fan settings
Climate control display unresponsive
AC not cooling

How to Fix

Replace the failed blower motor (and resistor module on older cars) as a common wear repair. For frozen climate controls, update or replace the ECC/HVAC control module per GM software updates; inspect connectors for corrosion.

Typical repair cost:$150 - $500

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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 9 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Rear Suspension Toe-Link May Loosen / Fracture (Recalls 17V267000 & later), LaCrosse 3.6L LLT/LFX Timing Chain Stretch, 3.8L V6 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket / Plastic Coolant Elbow Leaks. Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Buick LaCrosse reliable?

The 2005-2017 Buick LaCrosse has 9 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 7 issues are rated critical: Rear Suspension Toe-Link May Loosen / Fracture (Recalls 17V267000 & later) and LaCrosse 3.6L LLT/LFX Timing Chain Stretch and 3.8L V6 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket / Plastic Coolant Elbow Leaks and Electronic Power Steering Connector Corrosion / Loss of Assist (Recall 17V116000) and 3.6L V6 Timing Chain Stretch and Wear and eAssist 12V Battery Drain and "Service Battery Charging System" Warnings and Intermittent Low-Beam Headlight Failure. 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 9 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.

All 9 Known Issues

2012-2016 Buick LaCrosse: eAssist 12V Battery Drain and "Service Battery Charging System" Warnings#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2005-2008 Buick LaCrosse: Intermittent Low-Beam Headlight Failure#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2014 Buick LaCrosse: Driver Door Wiring Splice Corrosion (Recall 14V317000)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2010-2016 Buick LaCrosse: LaCrosse 3.6L LLT/LFX Timing Chain Stretch#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2010-2012 Buick LaCrosse: 3.6L V6 Timing Chain Stretch and Wear#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2017 Buick LaCrosse: Rear Suspension Toe-Link May Loosen / Fracture (Recalls 17V267000 & later)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse: 3.8L V6 Lower Intake Manifold Gasket / Plastic Coolant Elbow Leaks#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2017 Buick LaCrosse: Electronic Power Steering Connector Corrosion / Loss of Assist (Recall 17V116000)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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2008-2014 Buick LaCrosse: HVAC Blower Motor and Climate Control Module Failures#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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