Is defroster failure reducing windshield visibility a known issue with the 2011 Buick Lacrosse?

19 NHTSA complaints have been filed about defroster failure reducing windshield visibility on the 2011 Buick Lacrosse (2016-01 → 2025-10). Reported component: VISIBILITY/WIPER. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11507935): "When driving in rain and high humidity, the windshield and front windows will often completely fog up with moisture on the inside of the car. It can make seeing outside while driving impossible and risks an accident" Source: NHTSA.

Is sudden loss of engine power while driving a known issue with the 2011 Buick Lacrosse?

30 NHTSA complaints have been filed about sudden loss of engine power while driving on the 2011 Buick Lacrosse (2011-06 → 2026-04). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11731073): "I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation" Source: NHTSA.

Is brake pedal remains engaged after braking a known issue with the 2011 Buick Lacrosse?

10 NHTSA complaints have been filed about brake pedal remains engaged after braking on the 2011 Buick Lacrosse (2011-05 → 2023-07). Reported component: SERVICE BRAKES. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11533076): "I was driving down the highway and when I went to apply my brakes the pedal completely broke off. It was just dangling on the floorboard. I had no brakes" Source: NHTSA.

Is steering wheel lock-up or loss of control a known issue with the 2011 Buick Lacrosse?

7 NHTSA complaints have been filed about steering wheel lock-up or loss of control on the 2011 Buick Lacrosse (2011-11 → 2023-03). Reported component: STEERING. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11512897): "Car lost all steering while driving down the road" Source: NHTSA.

2011 Buick Lacrosse Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

Q: Is rear suspension toe-link failure and recall delay a known issue with the 2011 Buick Lacrosse?

27 NHTSA complaints have been filed about rear suspension toe-link failure and recall delay on the 2011 Buick Lacrosse (2010-12 → 2025-10). Reported component: SUSPENSION. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11451053): "The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 45 MPH with her 10-month-old child in a rear-facing car seat located in the rear driver seat, the rear driver's side toe link detached and she lost control of the vehicle" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is air bags fail to deploy in a crash a known issue with the 2011 Buick Lacrosse?

5 NHTSA complaints have been filed about air bags fail to deploy in a crash on the 2011 Buick Lacrosse (2012-07 → 2022-03). Reported component: AIR BAGS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11458226): "The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the air bag did not deploy" Source: NHTSA.

The 2011 Buick Lacrosse carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering rear. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Defroster failure reducing windshield visibility.” 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.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SUSPENSION:REAR

Campaign #20V764000 · Dec 21, 2020

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.

Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.

SUSPENSION:REAR

Campaign #21V00F000 · Dec 22, 2021

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. 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. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.

Risk: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Campaign #14V447000 · Jul 23, 2014

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

Campaign #11V149000 · Apr 3, 2011

Issue: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE AND CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS". 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.

Risk: IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Buick Lacrosse.

Reported to NHTSA

Defroster failure reducing windshield visibility

VISIBILITY/WIPER

19 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2025-10

“When driving in rain and high humidity, the windshield and front windows will often completely fog up with moisture on the inside of the car. It can make seeing outside while driving impossible and risks an accident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11507935

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11241977

“DEFROSTER,HEAT,A/C,FAN SPEED,RECIRC, HEAT/COOL SEATS FUNCTIONS FAILED (STOPPED WORKING COMPLETLY) WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM ON JANUARY 12, 2016 ON HIGHWAY US 131 TO TRAVERSE CITY, MI. FOUND RECALL INFORMATION NHTSA # 11V149000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10820408

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear suspension toe-link failure and recall delay

SUSPENSION

27 NHTSA complaints · 2010-12 → 2025-10

“The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 45 MPH with her 10-month-old child in a rear-facing car seat located in the rear driver seat, the rear driver's side toe link detached and she lost control of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11451053

“RECALL NOTICE MAILED TO ME DATED JANUARY 2021. GM RECALL #: N202308930. REAR SUSPENSION OF TOE LINKS AND ADJUSTER FASTENERS REQUIRE REPLACING IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE GM RECALL CENTER CORRESPONDENCE WAS DATED DECEMBER 10, 2020”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11414471

“WE BOUGHT A NEW 2011 BUICK LACROSSE CXS 11-15-10, DROVE IT 200 MILES AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED IN COSTCO PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH AND NO IMPACT. THE RIM POPPED OPEN AT THE CENTER SEAM CREATING A BIG OVAL OPENING THAT LOCKED UP ON THE BRAKE CALIPER, STOPPING THE WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10370855

“I WAS DRIVING OUR BUICK LACROSSE WITH 3036 MILES ON IT, AT 58 MPH, WHEN THE WHEEL BEGAN TO JERK BACK & FORTH VIOLENTLY. I WAS SKIDDING DOWN THE ROAD UNABLE TO STEER. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY HAVE THE CAR TOWED IN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10394279

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of engine power while driving

ENGINE

30 NHTSA complaints · 2011-06 → 2026-04

“I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731073

“OUR FAMILY'S 2011 BUICK LACROSSE ONLY HAS 57K MILES ON IT, AND THE ENGINE ALREADY HAS PERMANENT IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE FROM A MANUFACTURER OVERSIGHT IN WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN "SKIPS TIME." WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR UNPREDICTABLY LOST ALL POWER,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11297962

“LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH, DROPPED SUDDENLY TO 30 MPH. HAD TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER FROM PASSING LANE, ALMOST REAR ENDED BY TRACTOR TRAILER DUE TO SUDDEN POWER LOSS, COULD NOT ACCELERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11060889

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10408812

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal remains engaged after braking

SERVICE BRAKES

10 NHTSA complaints · 2011-05 → 2023-07

“I was driving down the highway and when I went to apply my brakes the pedal completely broke off. It was just dangling on the floorboard. I had no brakes”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533076

“The component is the brakes and the brake pedal while not engaging the brakes they remained on even after the vehicle was shut off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11496326

“WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT STOP SIGN BY APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP THEN ACCELERATED. WHILE APPLYING BRAKES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BRAKES STILL FAILED WITH VEHICLE PLYING THROUGH FIELD AND COMING TO REST ONLY WHEN PLOWING INTO AN EMBANKMENT,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10887919

“BRAKES HAVE FAILED SEVEN TIMES AT LOW VEHICLE SPEED. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, DEALER COULD FIND NO CAUSE. BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING. PUMPING BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES CAUSES BRAKES TO START WORKING AGAIN. HAS HAPPENED WITH TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10402331

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel lock-up or loss of control

STEERING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2011-11 → 2023-03

“Car lost all steering while driving down the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11512897

“STEERING FREEZES UP IN MOSTLY DAMP, WET DAYS WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOW INTO PARKING AREA'S.....STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11153409

“HAVE HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT IT "IS THE WAY IT IS" RETURNED MULTIPLE TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10436826

“WHILE TURNING LEFT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND GAINED SPEED/MOMENTUM WHILE AT SAME TIME STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN & DRIVER COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10578613

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags fail to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2022-03

“The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the air bag did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11458226

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11394828

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN THE LEFT LANE, AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK MERGED OVER AND SMASHED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE INTO THE METAL GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10984669

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)

62 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2011 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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