Buick LaCrosse Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Buick LaCrosse model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2019 drew the fewest (6) and the 2005 the most (315).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
6 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 23–29 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
12 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–29 |
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
36 | 2 | Electrical system | 5★ | 23–25 |
| 2015 | 44 | 3 | Steering | 5★ | 20–28 |
| 2016 | 48 | 2 | Steering | 5★ | 20–28 |
| 2014 | 63 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–28 |
| 2009 | 106 | 2 | Exterior lighting | — | — |
| 2013 | 129 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–29 |
| 2011 | 169 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–23 |
| 2010 | 189 | 2 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2012 | 206 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–28 |
| 2007 | 250 | 3 | Exterior lighting | — | — |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
250 | 2 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
299 | 3 | Exterior lighting | — | — |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
315 | 4 | Exterior lighting | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Buick LaCrosse years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2005 Buick LaCrosse: 315 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 82 (26%); Electrical system 80 (25%); Steering 51 (16%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 6 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Buick LaCrosse: 299 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 156 (52%); Electrical system 83 (28%); Air bags 38 (13%).
Reports mention 16 crashes, 7 fires, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 78,246 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Buick LaCrosse: 250 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 84 (34%); Air bags 77 (31%); Exterior lighting 61 (24%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 6 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 53,718 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Buick LaCrosse years with the fewest complaints
2019 Buick LaCrosse: 6 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 3 (50%); Electrical system 1 (17%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (17%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Buick LaCrosse: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 5 (42%); Engine 4 (33%); Power train 3 (25%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Buick LaCrosse: 36 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 11 (31%); Power train 9 (25%); Engine 5 (14%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 16,800 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Buick LaCrosse owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16,800 |
| 2016 | 48 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2015 | 44 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 25,000 |
| 2014 | 63 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2013 | 129 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 59,000 |
| 2012 | 206 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2011 | 169 | 15 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 51,542 |
| 2010 | 189 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 55,430 |
| 2009 | 106 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 55,012 |
| 2008 | 250 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 53,718 |
| 2007 | 250 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 67,300 |
| 2006 | 299 | 16 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 78,246 |
| 2005 | 315 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 65,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Buick LaCrosse recalls
- Frontal Air Bags May Not Deploy (2014–2016 model years; 3,640,162 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V651000)
- Ignition Switch may Turn Off (2005–2009 model years; 3,141,731 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2014; 14V355000)
- Headlamps may Fail (2005–2009 model years; 429,170 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2015; 15V519000)
- Seat Height Adjuster Bolt may Fall out (2011–2012 model years; 414,333 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V447000)
- Rear Toe Links May Fracture (2010–2013 model years; 220,006 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2020; 20V764000)
All 24 Buick LaCrosse recall campaigns · Buick LaCrosse problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Buick LaCrosse years FAQ
Which Buick LaCrosse year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2019 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (6). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Buick LaCrosse years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2005, 2006 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Buick LaCrosse problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (590 of 2,122 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Buick LaCrosse have?
NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns covering the Buick LaCrosse. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Buick LaCrosse recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.