2012 Buick Lacrosse Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

46Engine complaints

22.8%Of all 202 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM59 · 29.2%

ENGINE46 · 22.8%

SUSPENSION29 · 14.4%

STEERING24 · 11.9%

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)24 · 11.9%

Share of the 202 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Buick Lacrosse overview page.

What owners report

“DRIVING MY CAR WAS JUST GREAT ON MY 81ST DAY OF OWNERSHIP IT ALL CHANGED I WAS LEAVING A RED LIGHT IN VICKSBURG OFF THE…”NHTSA complaint 11194995 — filed 04/09/2019

“HI THERE COMING HOME THE OTHER DAY ON HIGHWAY LOST EVERYTHING , LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE NO STEERING VERY HARD TO STOP…”NHTSA complaint 11186535 — filed 03/13/2019

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED AND HESITATED TO RESTART. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT…”NHTSA complaint 11184524 — filed 03/06/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Buick Lacrosse have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Buick Lacrosse: 46 of 202 complaints on file (22.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Buick Lacrosse have in total?

202 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.