Is the 2011 Buick LaCrosse a bad year?
169 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other LaCrosse years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2011 Buick LaCrosse are in line with other LaCrosse years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 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 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 34 (20%) | 48k–77k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 32 (19%) | 30k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 27 (16%) | 18k–154k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Visibility and wipers | 23 (14%) | 14k–117k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (11%) | 13k–79k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 18 (11%) | 33k–78k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Steering | 12 (7%) | 25k–73k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 11 (7%) | 15k–86k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (5%) | 21k–89k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 9 (5%) | 56k–107k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Seats | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 5 (3%) | 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 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 169 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 10 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2011 Buick LaCrosse (60,000 miles - properly maintained by 73 year old man) broke down on interstate hwy.
The car was just purchased on 112619 and the day I bought I got warning light on dash next day car is in reduced power mode, took back to carmax to have this issue resolved they cleaned tps adv it was dirty poor contact.
My car stated that my trakstabilty system needed to be serviced then reduced engine power lite up. Car would not shift and would not increase in speed over twenty miles per hour.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 60,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 Buick LaCrosse: 4
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.
In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position. If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
On these vehicles, the software in the electronic climate control (Ecc) module may disable the ability to adjust the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system settings. If this happens, the driver will not be able to control the heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle. If this condition affects the defrost system when it is required, it may decrease the driver's visibility, and could result in 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: 504
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 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…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Neighbouring years
2010 LaCrosse: 189 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2012 LaCrosse: 205 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
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 2011 Buick LaCrosse a bad year?
169 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other LaCrosse years. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick LaCrosse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (34), electrical system (32), suspension (27), visibility and wipers (23), transmission and drivetrain (19).
How many recalls does the 2011 Buick LaCrosse have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 21V00F000), Suspension (NHTSA 20V-764), Seats (NHTSA 14V-447), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 11V-149). 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.