2016 Buick Lacrosse Complaints

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 08/13/2026

I was in a front end collision where the damages were over $20,000.00 and the air bags did not deploy.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 08/17/2026

The volt meter on the dashboard keeps dropping below 14 volts and 13.5 volts. The car has been checked by Buick and my mechanic no issues found. Buick has no idea why it keeps doing it neither does my mechanic. The problem is if there is a voltage drop, the computer will shut down the engine because of the low voltage. This could happen while driving which could be a serious problem. The date I provide is the last time it occurred, but it happens on a continuous basis.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 06/22/2026

On June 22,2026, I was involved in a frontal impact collision while traveling at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure of the entire occupant restraint system. Despite a severe, high-speed frontal impact, the frontal airbags failed to physically deploy, and the seatbelt pretensioners failed to tighten, leaving the seatbelts completely loose. Crucially, the dashboard instrument cluster displayed a message indicating that an airbag deployment event had occurred. A check of the VIN shows no open recalls, meaning the GM SDM software update (NHTSA Campaign 16V651000) was likely marked as completed by a prior owner. However, the system completely failed to function as designed during a major crash, mimicking the exact symptoms of the original defect. The vehicle is currently held at a private tow yard pending an insurance investigation and an Event Data Recorder (EDR) download.

STEERING — Filed 06/13/2025

While driving down the road goin around 45 mph all of a sudden my steering wheel got so stiff I could hardly steer the car off the road and out of traffic. I didn't hit anything, my power steering just stopped. I put the car into park and turned off the ignition after a few minutes I started it back up and my steering was back to normal. This has happened to me 2 times driving my 2016 Buick Lacrosse Sport. It's Dangerous and Honestly if your not paying attention it can cause a accident.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 02/26/2018

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the fuel pump was previously replaced due to the vehicle stalling while driving. The contact stated that the tailgate unintendedly opened while the vehicle was parked and turned off. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while driving from a complete stop, and the vehicle hesitated and shuddered while driving at various speeds. An unknown warning light was illuminated. OnStar was contacted and informed the contact that a DTC for the ABS was found. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was repaired for ABS failure; however, the failure persisted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was test-driven. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced twice due to the failure. The mechanic advised the contact to get rid of the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 11/20/2025

Trunk lid latch disintegrated, and lid flipped open without warning. Driver vision immediately obscured, leaving trunk contents to be easily dislodged and become hazardous to other motorists; will not secure.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 04/22/2024

Cars shudders 20-30 MPH. Started last year, I needed to get my wife for cancer treatments. Basically, shifted the car manually.

STEERING — Filed 03/20/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while his wife was driving in rainy or snowy conditions, the check power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after it had stopped raining or snowing, the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that a dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The contact was informed that a code for 19-NA-182 could be reset, and that there was no failure found with the steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/15/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

ENGINE — Filed 11/14/2024

Diagnostic trouble code P0442. Evaporative emission system leak detected indicated by check engine light on.

STEERING — Filed 05/19/2024

My steering wheel is locking up as I am driving . Very scary and dangerous where my dealership I lease car from (sunset dealership).,Lompoc,CA has found no codes dealing with the situation twice.

STEERING,ENGINE — Filed 05/05/2024

The contact owns a 2016 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the failure was diagnosed as a glitch, and the Power steering control module (PSCM) software update was performed; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact that the electric power steering assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

STEERING — Filed 12/23/2023

I lost power steering while driving 70 mph on a two-lane highway in Wyoming. There were no warnings before the incident, but a Service Power Steering light came on at the same time it quit working. One mechanic shop did a diagnosis on the car. I was told that the Electric Gear Power Steering Motor needs to be replaced along the whole Rack and Pinion that it's attached to has to be replaced because of the way it's designed. I found out that 2,000 of these same model and year of cars had a recall on them for this exact problem, but my car's VIN wasn't included in that recall. After doing thorough research on the internet, I have found that this is a common issue with these cars, and it's obvious that the manufacturer should have included more cars in the recall. I have just turned 77,000 miles on my car, and I have been given a $4,000 estimate to get it repaired. It is completely undrivable at this time.

STEERING — Filed 11/01/2023

While navigating a curve, my power steering quit, nearly causing me to hit an oncoming car in the opposite lane. I stop and search the car for issues but found none. The care returned to normal steering and two days later, I had a vehicle pull out in front of me, while quickly avoiding the other car, my power steering quit working again. Luckily, I was able to overcome the steering but it certainly shocked me. This is a most definite safety concern that must be looked at closer before someone seriously gets hurt.

EQUIPMENT — Filed 04/30/2023

See attached document from complainant

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 10/15/2023

Adaptive cruise control dropped out, taking along with it the ABS (warning light), Stabilitrak (handling system) (warning light), Collision prep (message). Dealer states the ABS computer module failed, now in process of finding a replacement. Meanwhile, the ABS, cruise control, and other systems mentioned here are inoperative. It may well be that this may be considered to be a component failure, not an inherent safety issue but under some driving conditions it is clearly a safety consideration.

STEERING — Filed 08/06/2023

I was driving on a main street. Received Power Steering Fluid message and then steering well locked up. Could not manuever it. Had to pull over to call for assistance, to no avail. The manual states it is a electrical power issue. I've taken this car in numerous of times for various services, specially the "jerking" of the car. I've discovered there was a recall for the Power steering today was announced a few years ago but never gotten a letter to have mine checked. I just recently picked my car up from servicing and there is no notation of needing power steering fluid. I feel like this is a dangerous issue especially if had locked up on the highway!

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/06/2023

control module,left and right rear wheel speed sensors

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 10/24/2022

This concerns our 2016 Buick LaCrosse. We leased the car late in 2016 for 3-1/2 years, then purchased it including an extended warranty. Two problems occurred. First the fuel supply line to the engine began leaking, leaving a gasoline odor inside the car. We took the car to our dealership and had it repaired. We told the dealership we purchased an extended warranty with the car and were told this repair was not covered! We had to pay ±$471 out of pocket which we don't agree with. The second issue is the Return fuel supply line which let loose when starting the car, (weeks later) spraying gas all over the garage floor. I opened the hood to check the problem and tried starting the engine again. There was a small fire which I extinguished immediately. We had to have the car towed to the dealership to get it repaired a second time for fuel line issues. This time it cost us ±$978 out of pocket to get it fixed. They said again extended warranty did NOT cover this problem. I am told by a GM executive that GM has a separate warranty (10yr) for EPA fuel & emissions compliance that should have covered this situation, yet the dealer charged us for the repairs. I have also heard that NHTSA has a similar regulation which I would like to know more about.

STEERING — Filed 12/21/2022

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the steering wheel locked, almost causing a collision. A message indicating power steering failure was displayed. The Police Department assisted the contact with driving the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact stated upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering responded as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via mail. The failure mileage was approximately 23,098. The contact stated that she paid for the repairs according to the Technical Service Bulletin that applies to her vehicle.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/13/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DEER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE INTENSE EXCESSIVE EXPLOSION FROM THE AIR BAGS CAUSING THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE TO GO DEAF IN WHICH MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT CONTACTED GROWNEY MOTORS, INC (1160 MAIN ST, RED BLUFF, CA 96080 (530) 527-1034) OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. *BF *AS

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/31/2018

I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/12/2016

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 16V651000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,500.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 08/23/2016

2016 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE FIRE. *SMD

SEATS — Filed 03/24/2016

RENTED AUTO FROM ENTERPRISE LEASING COMPANY OF ST. LOUIS, DROVE 412 MILES WITH THE SEAT HEATERS ON. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I FELT AN INTENSE BURNING SENSATION ON MY LOWER BACK. BEFORE BED MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT WAS VERY VERY RED. I AM A BACK SLEEPER SO I HAD A VERY RESTLESS NIGHT. BY THE NEXT MORNING THE RED SPOTS HAD BLISTERED AND ARE PAINFUL. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TALK TO ENTERPRISE LEASING COMPANY OF ST. LOUIS; WHICH IS JUST RIDICULOUS - ENTERPRISE DID NOT MAKE THE CAR! EVENTUALLY I WAS GIVEN CASE NUMBER 8-1897481531. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS OF GM BEING SUED FOR BURNS FROM SEAT HEATERS, GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO INSTALL A SAFETY FEATURE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM THIS FEATURE.