2018 Buick LACROSSE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
26,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 33.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Engine: 4; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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 11448073 · 2022-01-19 (January 19, 2022)
When I tried to stop at the traffic light, the car suddenly accelerated and went forward. At that time, the car brake was engaged. On the same day; When I tried to go forward at the traffic light, the car suddenly accelerated. The dealer service center said, "We cannot find any issue with the transmission."
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11523910 · 2023-05-25 (May 25, 2023)
I have brought my 2018 Buick Lacrosse to two different Buick dealerships who say that even though a special instruction letter was recognized and a recall was observed, because my check light went out and the codes on the car where cleared, they will not fix either recall. On three different occasions, the car slowed down to a crawl speed, the check engine light went on and the brakes applied themselves. Also across the dash was displayed 'service transmission'. I thought it was the accelerator pedal position sensor, but it may be a transmissio…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11160527 · 2018-12-10 (December 10, 2018)
IF STOPPED UPHILL AND THE AUTO STOP ACTIVATES, WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE THE CAR CAN ROLL BACK, AND THE WAY PEOPLE STOP ON TOP OF YOU THESE DAYS YOUR CAR CAN ROLL BACK INTO THEM AND YOU HAVE TO REPAIR THEIR CAR. PLUS IT ACTUALLY TAKES MORE GAS THAN MY V8 2016 GMC SIERRA THAT DOESN'T STOP WHEN TRAVELING FROM MY FUELING LOCATION TO MY HOME, PER THE CARS OWN COMPUTER SYSTEM
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11160527 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11258360 · 2019-09-26 (September 26, 2019)
I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM GM THAT MY VEHICLE WITH THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH COULD CAUSE A A REDUCED POWER AND ACCELERATION CONDITION. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND I SHOULD NOT SEEK A REPAIR UNTIL I HAVE EVIDENCE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO ME. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS WHEN I AM MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON AN INTERSTATE, IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. APPARENTLY OWNERS ARE SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR SUCH AN OCCURRENCE IN ORDER TO GATHER EVIDENCE OF A NEED FOR A REPA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11258360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11302016 · 2020-01-27 (January 27, 2020)
2018 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF SUDDENLY. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER UPDATED THE SOFTWARE , BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11302016 at NHTSA ↗