Is the 2011 Buick LACROSSE reliable?

The 2011 Buick LACROSSE has 243 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Buick LACROSSE?

Top problems: ENGINE (35 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (31 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (27 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Buick LACROSSE?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:REAR, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Buick LACROSSE?

The 2011 Buick LACROSSE gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Buick LACROSSE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Buick LACROSSE is approximately $1,284/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Buick LACROSSE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Buick LACROSSE has 243 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.7x the segment average of 89. The most common issue is engine problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick lacrosse. the contact stated that the vehicle would stall while driving at various speeds. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. the manufacturer was not notified. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mile. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 14 crash reports 3 injuries

243

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

35 complaints

14%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE FAILURE HAD PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK INTO GEAR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE
• THE 2011 BUICK LACROSSE WITH A 3.6 HAD POPPING SOUND UPON STARTING WHEN CAR WAS 5 DAYS OLD; BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ASKED IF I WAS SURE IT WAS MY CAR. THEY CHECKED VEHICLE AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT POPPED UPON STARTING 8-9 MORE TIMES IN 3 WEEKS. UPON LEA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Buick LACROSSE

Based on 185 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 56K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 25 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 79K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 44K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 63K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

SUSPENSION:REAR21/12/2020

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.

Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Buick LACROSSE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Buick LACROSSE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,284

Full coverage / month

$107

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-23%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1284

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Buick New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Buick. If you're buying a used 2011 LACROSSE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Buick dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 243 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 2011 BUICK LA CROSSE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER ARE REFLECTED THROUGH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW OUT ONTO THE SIDE MIRROR WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT *TGW
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: WE BOUGHT A NEW 2011 BUICK LACROSSE CXS 11-15-10, DROVE IT 200 MILES AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED IN COSTCO PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH AND NO IMPACT. THE RIM POPPED OPEN AT THE CENTER SEAM CREATING A BIG OVAL OPENING THAT LOCKED UP ON THE BRAKE CALIPER, STOPPING THE WHEEL WHICH SNAPPED THE TIE ROD END
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: MOONROOF FRONT GLASS OF MY 2011 BUICK LACROSSE EXPLODED OUTWARD WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE. SOUNDED LIKE A GUN GOING OFF. CLIMATE CONTROL WAS ON "AUTO". *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)