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2013 Buick LaCrosse: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Buick LaCrosse, most recently filed December 2021. Owners have filed 129 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 3 suspension · 2 electrical Source: NHTSA Complaints 129filed Owner reports, 2009–2018 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 29mpg combined $2,252/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic 4 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Buick LaCrosse. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2013 Buick LaCrosse. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V00F000 Filed Dec 22, 2021

Rear Toe Links May Fracture

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu 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 an improper amount of 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 fracture.
Consequence
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. 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 N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
57.3% repairedof 4,271 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V00F000
Listed for 2013 Buick LaCrosse. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V633000 Filed Aug 12, 2021

Rear Toe Links May Fracture

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and 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 fracture.
Consequence
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. 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 N212330130.
65.5% repairedof 32,894 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V633000
Listed for 2013 Buick LaCrosse. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V764000 Filed Dec 21, 2020

Rear Toe Links May Fracture

Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
76.9% repairedof 220,006 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V764000
Listed for 2013 Buick LaCrosse. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V173000 Filed May 6, 2013

Hybrid Charging System/Possible Fire or Stall

Electrical system
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
Consequence
If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
Remedy
GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.
93.8% repairedof 42,904 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V173000
Listed for 2013 Buick LaCrosse. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V097000 Filed Mar 15, 2013

Loss of Engine Braking/FMVSS 102

Electrical system · software
Official NHTSA text
Summary
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence
If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
Repair progress not yet reported26,582 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V097000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which LaCrosse years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Buick LaCrosseAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (129)

129 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

5involved a crash
3involved a fire
5injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Buick LaCrosse, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 129.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2013 compares with other LaCrosse years

Best and worst LaCrosse years →
106 189 169 206 129 63 44 48 36 12
2009201020112012201320142015201620172018
This year (2013)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★☆
RolloverRollover risk 11.8%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2013 Buick LaCrosse 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined

29
mpg combined
25
city
36
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,300
CO₂ tailpipe
312 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year

Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2013 Buick LaCrosse configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive25 / 36 / 29$2,300312
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 27 / 21$3,200433
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive17 / 27 / 21$3,200432
3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20$3,350453

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2013 LaCrosse for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All LaCrosse years

Where to next

Which LaCrosse years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2014 Buick LaCrosse report63 complaints · 5 campaigns →2012 Buick LaCrosse report206 complaints · 5 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2013 Buick LaCrosse FAQ

How many recalls does the 2013 Buick LaCrosse have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 21V00F000 (suspension), 21V633000 (suspension), 20V764000 (suspension), 13V173000 (electrical), 13V097000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2013 Buick LaCrosse problems?

Owners filed 129 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (54), Engine (30), Suspension (27) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2013 Buick LaCrosse get?

EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 25 city, 36 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2013 Buick LaCrosse get?

NHTSA rated the 2013 Buick LaCrosse 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (11.8% rollover risk).

How does the 2013 LaCrosse compare with other years?

Among the 2009–2018 Buick LaCrosse model years at least five years old, the 2018 drew the fewest complaints (12) and the 2012 the most (206). The 2013 drew 129. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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