Is the 2012 Buick LaCrosse a bad year?
205 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 51, 5.1× a quiet LaCrosse year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 26k–78k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 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 53,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 62 (30%) | 35k–104k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 51 (25%) | 26k–78k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 31 (15%) | 25k–125k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 24 (12%) | 29k–77k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 24 (12%) | 10k–74k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 16 (8%) | 18k–99k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Stability control | 25 (12%) | 60k–115k miles · ahead | — |
| Speed control | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | 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 53,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 205 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 10 say the car was towed.
10 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My car was moving and cut off on me and then automatically restarted while driving. The power steering locked up.
The car started stalling and it smell like something was burning. The car would shut off and restart on its own.
Since I purchased the car in june, 2012, there have been three (3) incidents where there was a gradual loss of battery charge, the vehicle would not start, and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light comes on.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 53,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse: 5
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.
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. 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.
The stabilitrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the safety standard. The improper diagnosing may cause the ESC to falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds…
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: 517
Repair instructions Buick sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 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
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
Generator Control Module Fires
Neighbouring years
2011 LaCrosse: 169 complaints, keep it · 2013 LaCrosse: 130 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 2012 Buick LaCrosse a bad year?
205 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 51, 5.1× a quiet LaCrosse year. At 53,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 26k–78k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Buick LaCrosse?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (62), engine (51), suspension (31), steering (24), transmission and drivetrain (24). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 26k–78k miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 Buick LaCrosse have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 21V00F000), Suspension (NHTSA 20V-764), Seats (NHTSA 14V-447), Electrical system (NHTSA 13V-173) and more. 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.