NHTSA — Engine Problems

2011 Buick LaCrosse (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,911 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Buick LaCrosse Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Jan 022022

LaCrosse

  • 105,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the engine misfired while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was a defective valve in the engine which caused the misfire. The contact was informed that the failure was related to a manufacturer defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #28

Feb 012022

LaCrosse

  • miles
Car been smelling like gas for awhile engine light pop on and off. My car will not start I have replace the fuel pump car still won-€™t get gas. Replaced battery numerous of times battery keep won-€™t stay charge. I have a recall on my car I believe the suspension is under recall as well. I also had to replace my windshield wiper motor a few times slapped against my windshield and cracked windshield.

- Toledo , OH, USA

problem #27

Jul 122021

LaCrosse

  • miles
I noticed today as I was stopped at a red light with my foot on brake the vehicle was kinda jumping like it was trying to go while foot was on brake. I drove a little further and the service stabilitrak light came on followed by the reduced engine power. The car proceeded to die in the middle of a busy street. After a few minutes it did restart and I was able to get it home. This seems to be a common problem with 2011 buick lacrosse. Ihave seen several complaints about this same issue.

- Mooreville, MS, USA

problem #26

Mar 052020

LaCrosse

  • 58,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to kyle edwards Buick GMC located at (1600 N main St, muskogee, ok 74401) and was diagnosed that the engine ceased and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. The VIN was not available.

- M, OK, USA

problem #25

Dec 252019

LaCrosse 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
Our family's 2011 Buick Lacrosse only has 57K miles on it, and the engine already has permanent irreversible damage from a manufacturer oversight in which the timing chain "skips time." While driving on the highway, the car unpredictably lost all power, including power brakes and power steering. I quickly muscled the car to the shoulder and came to a complete stop, but this created a very dangerous situation for our family as we were forced to cross traffic, at speed, to reach the road shoulder. A day prior to this incident the vehicle went into "reduced power" mode while traveling uphill, cutting speed from 55mph to 35mph, backing up traffic. Cars were passing and honking in a double yellow-lined stretch of road. We subsequently shouldered the car, shut off its power and it seemed to be operating properly until our destination, but we only had 3 miles left to travel. The timing gear is pressed-on instead of keyed-on. This can cause the timing chain to "skip time, " damaging the engine and causing erratic engine behavior. Our mechanic has seen our exact engine issue with the 3.6L 6-cyl engines in various other GM vehicles. The problem is widespread enough to cause engine rebuild companies to key-on the timing gear, instead of GM's typical press-on process. Our mechanic advises that keying-on the timing gear is known to fix the original issue of the timing chain dangerously "skipping time." One such company, recommended by our mechanic, is jasperengines.com. I hope that the NHTSA can investigate this issue and hold GM accountable for this dangerous oversight for which GM fails to acknowledge or address. My complaint is on record at GM's Corp service center with phone number 866-790-5600 - ticket #[xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #24

Dec 112019

LaCrosse

  • 55,900 miles
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 #23

Sep 182018

LaCrosse

  • 147,000 miles

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

Takata recall my Buick Lacrosse one time going down the road out of the blue it done engine power reduction, and then it just died on me.after that I did get it to start but it ran ruff and after a few weeks it would not start at all.

- Rocky, OK, USA

problem #22

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

problem #21

Jan 222019

LaCrosse

  • 97,000 miles
I was going 50 miles an hour down the road when I approached an intersection and stabilitrak came on and then stated reduced engine power. At which time I lost all power to get through intersection. Almost got hit by 3 directions trying to get my car out of the road. I finally coasted to the side of the road turned car off and back on drove for another mile before it did it again. This is not safe. I do not know what is wrong with it. I am now stuck at work I do not dare to drive it.

- Tioga, PA, USA

problem #20

Sep 162014

LaCrosse

  • 66,985 miles
Electronic climate control system allows windshield to become fogged over and I cannot see to drive or control HVAC system. I cannot control the heating, cooling and ventilation. Example: The system seems to blow or allow warm air in cabin when the A/C is on set at 68-72 degrees. This is when car is in motion and at idle on any road I travel. I reported problem to rice Buick-GMC, Inc. 8330 kingston pike knoxville, tn 37919-5449 (865) 693-0610 on 9/16/2014, 9/25/2014 and the problem persisted & getting worse to date 01/07/2019. I just found out about this important safety recall. Safety recall is listed for 2011 Buick Lacrosse on March 4, 2011 NHTSA campaign number: 11V149000 software in electronic climate control affects defrost system reducing drivers visibility and could result in crash. Unable to control HVAC system. Second problem is engine/ emissions, catalytic converter, sensor errors. All have caused check-engine light to come on.

- Loudon, TN, USA

problem #19

Dec 132018

LaCrosse

  • 71,000 miles

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

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 #18

May 252018

LaCrosse

  • 73,704 miles
Twice after filling up with gas, my car was oils not start at the pump. Each time I had to wait several minutes before it would actually start. The second time it happened, I waited, it started then immediately quit again. There is a very hard start when it attempts to start as well. The engine light came on then immediately went off. I took the car directly to the dealership where it had to remain running until they could get it in. This was 540P on Friday, May 25th before a holiday.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #17

Mar 302018

LaCrosse

  • miles
Power train control module it has excess play in the canshaft.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #16

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 #15

Oct 162017

LaCrosse

  • 95,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption, piston and piston rings. Burning 3-4 quarts of oil every 2000 or less miles. After checking I find out this is not covered under warranty because it was not make at a specific plant. I have approximately 95,550 miles. I thought Buick were good cars and stood behind their product. This is quiet expensive, can you help? the oil light doesn't even come on when it got that low. It started acting funny and when checked, low oil, no. I have kept my vehicle very well maintained. The first time it happened around 10/16/17 and after looked at again 1/8/18 drips or leaks

- New Carlisle, OH, USA

problem #14

Jan 052018

LaCrosse

  • 112 miles
Loss of engine power while driving on highway, sudden warning stabilitrak needs service, engine power reduced. Speed dropped to 30 mph on highway from 70mph traffic flow. Could not accelerate at all to keep up w/traffic, had to pull onto shoulder to avoid getting rear ended. Could not accelerate enough speed to merge back onto highway light turned off. Dangerous!!!

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #13

Jan 052018

LaCrosse

  • 112,000 miles
Loss of engine power while driving on highway at 75 mph, dropped suddenly to 30 mph. Had to pull onto shoulder from passing lane, almost rear ended by tractor trailer due to sudden power loss, could not accelerate. Stabilitrak light turned on stating engine power reduced. Turned car off and restarted, went away. Came back on again 3 X's while driving back home on highway, had to continuously pull over and restart engine to clear.

- Haverhill, MA, USA

problem #12

Sep 182017

LaCrosse

  • 48,800 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, but it stalled again and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle home and had it towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intake and exhaust cam solenoid failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 48,800.

- Parma Heights, OH, USA

problem #11

Aug 192017

LaCrosse

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. While driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road where it was able to be restarted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall under the VIN and would get back to her the next day. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #10

Feb 012017

LaCrosse

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the vehicle's wires were made with a soy chemical that attracted rodents. The failure was experienced twice. The first failure occurred at the area of the engine wires, which caused the engine to stall. The second failure occurred around the battery wires, which caused the battery to fail. The vehicle was taken to george matick Chevrolet (telegraph road, redford charter, mi,48239 phone: (313) 531-7100) and taylor Chevrolet (3801 telegraph road, taylor, mi 48180 phone: (734) 250-6220) for the repairs. The engine and battery wires were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

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