Is the 2016 Buick LACROSSE reliable?

The 2016 Buick LACROSSE has 60 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Buick LACROSSE?

Top problems: STEERING (12 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (8 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Buick LACROSSE?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2016 Buick LACROSSE?

The 2016 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 2016 Buick LACROSSE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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.

2016 Buick LACROSSE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Buick LACROSSE has 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 89. The most common issue is steering problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 buick lacrosse. while the contact's husband was driving 45 mph, the vehicle shook and swayed to the left and right. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to call nhtsa. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 4 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

12 complaints

20%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SWAYED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA
• 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *LD *TR
• SERVICE: POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE AS I TURNED ON MY STREET. AS I TURNED TO PARK THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. WENT TO CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID, NO POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, HOWEVER FUSE #23 IS A 10 AM FUSE BUT IT WAS GOOD. THERE IS NO 80 A

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SWAYED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Buick LACROSSE

Based on 31 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 40K 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+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Later than typicalmedian 40K mi · 5 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 (2)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL08/09/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 60 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SWAYED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: FROM STANDING STOP OR WHILE IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, STOMP THE ACCELERATOR TO COMMAND IMMEDIATE ACCELERATION: ACCELERATOR SOMETIMES STICKS IN WIDE OPEN THROTTLE RESULTING IN UNINTENDED SUSTAINED ACCELERATION. FIRST COUNTER-MEASURE TRIED - SLAP THE GEAR SELECTOR HANDLE TO NEUTRAL POSITION; HOWEVE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (65+ MPH) THE INFORMATION CENTER WILL DISPLAY 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND CAR WILL DOWN SHIFT AND ONLY REACH 45 MPH. CAUSING CLOSE TO REAR-END CRASH. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY AND TURN OFF ENGINE. RE-START ENGINE AND CONTINUE DRIVING. IT HAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V65
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)