2016 Buick LACROSSE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 48 complaints (22.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 14.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 11 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
Steering: 11; Air Bags: 6; Power Train: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Service Brakes: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2016: 5; 2017: 5; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 5; 2023: 8; 2024: 2; 2025: 5; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11185313 · 2019-03-13 (March 13, 2019)
2016 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *LD *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11185313 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11390026 · 2021-01-26 (January 26, 2021)
SERVICE: POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE AS I TURNED ON MY STREET. AS I TURNED TO PARK THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. WENT TO CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID, NO POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, HOWEVER FUSE #23 IS A 10 AM FUSE BUT IT WAS GOOD. THERE IS NO 80 AMP FUSE ON THE BATTERY POST. THIS IS A HAZARD AND SHOULD BE FIXED.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,016 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11051900 · 2017-12-02 (December 2, 2017)
I HAD PARKED IN THE VISITORS PARKING SPACE AT THE NURSING HOME. I WANTED TO STRAIGHTEN MY CAR IN THE SPACE. WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE, MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT AN UNCONTROLLABLE FAST SPEED, WENT ACROSS THE SIDEWALK, HIT THE VISITORS PARKING SIGN, WENT ACROSS SOME GRASS, ACROSS THE MAIN SIDEWALK TO THE BUILDING, ACROSS SOME MORE GRASS, HIT THE VISITORS PARKING SIGN ON THE OTHER SIDE, AND ACROSS THE SIDEWALK. I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED IN THE PARKING LOT BY APLYING THE BRAKE. SINCE MY WHEELS WERE TURNED TO PARK, THE CAR MADE A COMPLETE CIRCLE WI…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,432 miles reported. Look up ODI 11051900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11133159 · 2018-10-03 (October 3, 2018)
ADAPTIVE CRUISE ENGAGES ANTILOCK BRAKES IN A RANDOM MANNER EVEN WHEN NO CAR IS IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SPEEDS. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11133159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11242729 · 2019-08-09 (August 9, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE WRENCH, TRACTION CONTROL, AND STABILITRAK. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TEMPERATURE INDICATORS WOULD GO TO ZERO. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH, THE RPMS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TA…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11242729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11385552 · 2020-12-30 (December 30, 2020)
AT 25 - 30 MPH AND AT 45 - 50 MPH THE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY SAID THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. I NEED A NEW LOWER AND UPPER TRANSMISSION. THAT IS THE RECOMMENDED FIX. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS TO CHEVY TRANSMISSIONS AND THE COST IS $5400. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT GOES WRONG ALL THE TIME, THAT'S A PROBLEM THAT I DID NOT CREATE. MY VEHICLE IS WORTH LESS THAN THE COST OF THE FIX AND I STILL OWE MORE THAN TWICE THE COST OF THE FIX.
Owner-reported narrative. 162,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385552 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11720665 · 2026-02-26 (February 26, 2026)
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the fuel pump was previously replaced due to the vehicle stalling while driving. The contact stated that the tailgate unintendedly opened while the vehicle was parked and turned off. Additionally, the vehicle jerked while driving from a complete stop, and the vehicle hesitated and shuddered while driving at various speeds. An unknown warning light was illuminated. OnStar was contacted and informed the contact that a DTC for the ABS was found. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11720665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11536767 · 2023-08-06 (August 6, 2023)
I was driving on a main street. Received Power Steering Fluid message and then steering well locked up. Could not manuever it. Had to pull over to call for assistance, to no avail. The manual states it is a electrical power issue. I've taken this car in numerous of times for various services, specially the "jerking" of the car. I've discovered there was a recall for the Power steering today was announced a few years ago but never gotten a letter to have mine checked. I just recently picked my car up from servicing and there is no notation of n…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536767 at NHTSA ↗