Is the 2012 Buick LACROSSE reliable?

The 2012 Buick LACROSSE has 300 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Buick LACROSSE?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (60 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (50 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (30 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Buick LACROSSE?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:REAR. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2012 Buick LACROSSE?

The 2012 Buick LACROSSE has an EPA rating of 21 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3659. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Buick LACROSSE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Buick LACROSSE is approximately $1,708/year (ev-mainstream 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.

Does the 2012 Buick LACROSSE qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2012 Buick LACROSSE may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2012 Buick LACROSSE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Buick LACROSSE has 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 89. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: i recently purchased a 2012 buick lacrosse with easiest. i had it less than 48 hours and had to take it to the dealer due to check engine light coming on. they stated the generator was faulty and needed replaced and there were 7 codes that showed up. after about a week they were finally able to have. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 9 crash reports 3 injuries

300

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

3.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

60 complaints

20%

• I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE WITH EASIEST. I HAD IT LESS THAN 48 HOURS AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THEY STATED THE GENERATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACED AND THERE WERE 7 CODES THAT SHOWED UP. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE
• CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 10 HOURS. FOUND WITH ALL LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT FLASHING. REMOTE ENTRY DIDN'T WORK. CAR WOULDN'T START. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. OVERHEAD LIGHT AND WIPERS TURNED ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN AND WERE MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. TRUNK POPPED OPEN ON ITS OWN, THEN WHEN SHUT WOULDN'T
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE RADIO/NAVIGATION CONSOLE SCREEN BECAME BLACK. THE ON STAR BUTTON AND THE EMERGENCY BUTTONS WERE ALSO DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE RADIO WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILUR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE WITH EASIEST. I HAD IT LESS THAN 48 HOURS AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THEY STATED THE GENERATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACED AND THERE WERE 7 CODES THAT SHOWED UP. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Buick LACROSSE

Based on 216 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 54K 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+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 53K mi · 44 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 8 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 (5)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST23/07/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Buick LACROSSE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$3,626

Per month

$302

Per mile

30.2¢

kWh/mi

1.60

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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 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

$1,708

Full coverage / month

$142

Liability only / year

$638

vs US avg

+2%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1708

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 2012 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.

EV Incentives for 2012 Buick LACROSSE

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~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 300 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE WITH EASIEST. I HAD IT LESS THAN 48 HOURS AND HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THEY STATED THE GENERATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACED AND THERE WERE 7 CODES THAT SHOWED UP. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO HAVE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO INSPECT THE F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: AFTER STARTING ENGINE AND PLACING GEAR IN DRIVE, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN SO FAST THAT IT LEFT TIRE MARKS ON THE PAVEMENT FROM WHERE THE ACCELERATION STARTED. THE CAR PASSED THROUGH THE PARKING LOT LANE, OVER TWO CURBS, SLIGHTLY SCRAPING A SMALL POST IN THE PARKING LOT CAUSING THE DAMAGE TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPORTED TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE NEEDED, TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SERVICE NEEDED AND KEY NOT DETECTED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO LOOK AT THE TIRES AND ALL WERE GOOD. DROVE CAR TO DEALER AS I ASSUMED IT WOULD NOT IDENTIFY THE KEY FOB AND RESTART. DEALER CONFIRMED WARNIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)