Is the 2010 Buick LaCrosse a bad year?
189 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 49, 4.9× a quiet LaCrosse year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 37k–83k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 LaCrosse owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 65,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 49 (26%) | 37k–83k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 46 (24%) | 16k–89k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 23 (12%) | 54k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 17 (9%) | 49k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 17 (9%) | 16k–78k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 17 (9%) | 18k–75k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Air bags | 16 (8%) | 21k–67k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 16 (8%) | 38k–79k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Visibility and wipers | 12 (6%) | 17k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (4%) | 42k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 14 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 65,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 189 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 7 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
GM 3.6 l VVT timing chain issue I was driving our '10 Buick LaCrosse (With 65,340 mi) one evening and the car's front end began to shake and the engine started to power down, and did so for about 5-10 seconds.
When I purchased this vehicle with the powertrain warranty still intact I had the check engine light come on several times.
I moved my car out of the driveway so my neighbor could plow our driveway. He said he smelled something.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 65,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse: 2
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. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Buick: 493
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Engine Run-On, Rough Running, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated
Neighbouring years
2009 LaCrosse: 106 complaints, keep it · 2011 LaCrosse: 169 complaints, keep it.
Every Buick LaCrosse year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · All LaCrosse years side by side
Other Buick models: Buick Century · Buick Enclave · Buick Encore · Buick Encore GX · Buick Envision · Buick LeSabre · Buick Lucerne · Buick Park Avenue · Buick Rainier · Buick Regal · Buick Rendezvous · Buick Terraza · Buick Verano. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2010 Buick LaCrosse a bad year?
189 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 49, 4.9× a quiet LaCrosse year. At 65,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 37k–83k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Buick LaCrosse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (49), electrical system (46), stability control (23), speed control (17), steering (17). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 37k–83k miles.
How many recalls does the 2010 Buick LaCrosse have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 21V00F000), Suspension (NHTSA 20V-764). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.