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2007 Buick LaCrosse Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Buick LaCrosse has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power steering pump and suspension arm failure.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Buick LaCrosse.

Reported to NHTSA

Power steering pump and suspension arm failure

STEERING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2020-01

“ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE CXL. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE AT AROUND 85,000 MILES. POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED BECAUSE OF LEAKING HOSES. PRIMARY REASON FOR LEAK IS DUE TO LINES INCORRECTLY CRIMPED AROUND THE METAL LINE THAT ADHERES TO RUBBER HOSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10702424
“WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN I HEARD A POP NOISE SIMULTANEOUSLY VEHICLE DIPPED HARSHLY WITH THE HANDLING AND STEERING CONTROL COMPROMISED. AFTER INSPECTION THE FRACTURED AND BROKEN SWAY BAR WAS DISCOVERED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10917373
“FRONT STABILIZER BAR IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES WHERE THE BOLTS FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM GO THOUGH THE STABILISER BAR. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT, HAS 130,000 MILES, NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11110815

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Low-beam headlight failure during recall parts delay

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

107 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2025-06

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) IN JANUARY 2015”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10762458
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS ACTIVATED, THE LAMPS WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION AND SHUT OFF. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10717256
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE LOW BEAM WOULD TURN OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10633112

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuse box melting and engine compartment fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2026-08

“The contact owns a 2007 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor coming from the vents and the headlights were inoperative. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11755473
“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10663197
“THE LOW BEAMS ON THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN FLICKERING ON AND OFF AT NIGHT FOR A FEW DAYS. THEN THE LOW BEAMS WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL ON THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 2, 2012, HIGH BEAMS WORKED BUT THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC FILLED THE CAR AND I IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10554898

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition-related engine stall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

19 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2023-04

“WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST DIED. WE CALLED AAA AND BEFORE THEY GOT THERE THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN. THEN WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM (RECALL #14299)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10629702
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10643811
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10672237

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission slipping and failure

POWER TRAIN

9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2022-03

“4T65E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DEFECTIVE INTERNAL O-RING SEALS IN THE VALVE BODY CAUSE LOSS OF FLUID PRESSURE, LEADING TO SLIPPING AND PREMATURE WEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10966667
“CAR WAS DRIVING FINE AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING AT INTERSECTION AT STOP AND COULD NOT GO HAD TO PUSH VEH OUT OF ROADWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11022965
“Problem with the transmission burning up and breaking and the car unable to be driven and I have heard from other people that have had the same problem from there cars mileage from 28,000 miles to 60,000 miles the transmission just goes out”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11458271

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Intermittent airbag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2021-08

“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. OCCASIONALLY WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT WILL GO OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10971964
“THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE THE CAR IS TRAVELING INDICATING THE AIRBAGS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. IT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. I BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLEARED THE MALFUNCTION CODE AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10920160
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162448

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

115 crashes 1990–2024

How the 115 occupant deaths break down

86

driver deaths

29

passenger deaths

115

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

8

complaints mentioning a crash

18

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Buick LaCrosse reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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