Buick LaCrosse Reliability and Common Problems

The Buick LaCrosse is Buick’s flagship sedan that features a comfortable and quiet cabin. Buicks are known to depreciate hard and fast compared to other makes, like Toyota or Hyundai, which hold their value fairly well. A Buick LaCrosse from 2016, for example, has lost 50% of its value according to autopadre.com.

This article will talk about the common problems and overall reliability of the LaCrosse over its fourteen-year history.

Is the Buick LaCrosse Reliable?

Even though the LaCrosse depreciates a lot, it has above-average reliability ratings. RepairPal has given Buick’s flagship sedan a good rating of 3.5 out of 5.0.

The Buick LaCrosse’s high depreciation rates and decent reliability scores make it an attractive option in the used car market for anyone looking for a used luxury sedan. The LaCrosse’s ride is quiet and comfy similar to luxury models from the likes of Mercedes and Cadillac. This makes the LaCrosse a nice car to have in highway driving. However, as a consequence, they have reported that driving the LaCrosse is dull and not very engaging. The steering lacks the feeling that driving enthusiasts desire. Owners have also complained about the lack of visibility because of the wide A-pillars in the front. Luckily, the most common issues with the Buick LaCrosse are mostly minor. This spares owners the worry of owning a car with a major component that is known to break.

Buick LaCrosse Problems

Many of the LaCrosse’s common problems in this list are fairly minor and can be fixed through a simple replacement.

Check Engine Light Turning On

When the check engine light turns on, it’s typically a signal that there is a component in the engine that is worn out or broken. Many owners of the Buick LaCrosse discovered that the check engine light will illuminate a lot, and the OBD codes for the problem will vary. One reason is because of the powertrain control module requiring a software update. For others, it was because of a faulty camshaft sensor.

When only minor repairs are done after a check engine light, then it should be taken as a good sign that the car was able to warn you that there is something wrong before it damages critical components. But the LaCrosse’s engine light may be too sensitive to certain issues sometimes as owners have reported that a worn or loose gas cap can cause the check engine light to turn on. This can be particularly frustrating to some as it can be difficult to tell whether the light is caused by just the gas cap being loose or an actual issue brewing under the hood. This has led several owners to go to the dealership only to discover that it’s only because of a loose gas cap. Replacing the gas cap to ensure a proper seal seems to fix the issue. This issue seems to happen in the year models from 2005 up to 2017.

Door Lock Actuator Failure

The worst problem with LaCrosse according to repairpal.com is its door lock mechanism’s tendency to stick. This particular issue has been reported over 300 times by owners across the 2005 to 2012 model years. The faulty door lock mechanism prevents owners from opening the door from either side. This is a major hassle because the driver may be forced to climb out using the passenger side door.

This issue isn’t something that only happens once in a while either. Once the door lock mechanism fails, it will permanently remain shut. This is a safety hazard because in a situation where the driver needs to go out immediately, they can get trapped. Drivers have reported getting this issue repaired by going to the dealership and paying around $250 per door for a door lock actuator replacement.

Clunking Noises From Steering

While this particular issue doesn’t necessarily affect the vehicle’s function, the persistent clunking noises that happen whenever the driver turns the steering wheel can be quite annoying, according to reports. This issue can occur in Buick LaCrosse models from 2005 all the way to 2014. An owner reported that Buick itself told him that the issue will persist even after a repair because they have not found a definite fix for it. Unfortunately, dealerships have been charging fees from $250 to upwards of $1000 to try and fix this issue.

Headlight Failure

A potentially dangerous issue is the headlights of the 2006 Buick LaCrosse turning off intermittently. Headlights typically fail as a result of the headlight bulbs burning out. When this happens, it usually won’t work until it’s replaced. There is an issue with the Buick LaCrosse’s HDM relay, or the headlight module, that causes it to randomly work or cease functioning.

An owner reported that his headlight failure almost caused a head-on collision, which goes to show that this can be a major safety concern. While the issue seems to only affect the vehicle’s low beam lights, this pushes drivers to resort to using their high beams, which is also dangerous because it blinds drivers on the other side of the road. A fix for this issue is to replace the faulty HDM relay module.

Power Steering Hose Leak

Some owners have reported that the 2005 to 2010 models of the LaCrosse have an issue with a leaking power steering hose. This would result in fluid seeping into the cabin or leaking under the vehicle. Either day, the leak would be apparent because of the smell of the hydraulic fluid.

Since the pressurized hydraulic fluid is needed for the power steering system to function, a hose bursting typically results in the loss of power steering assist. Replacing the leaking power steering hose and replacing the lost hydraulic fluid typically fixes the issue.

Replacement power steering pressure line hoses typically cost around $50 to $100. However, owners have reported paying upwards of $1000 because of labor.

Overall, the Buick LaCrosse is a good luxury sedan to get because it’s relatively cheap in the used market. Knowing about these common issues can be helpful because you can look out for them. As long as you inspect the components carefully, it should come with little risk.

Where to Get Replacement Parts For Your Buick Lacrosse

The best way to keep your Buick Lacrosse on the road is to replace worn or damaged parts as soon as they are needed. Thankfully, you can easily shop for OE-quality parts here at CarParts.com.

The best part? You don’t even have to take one step outside your door to get your hands on new auto parts. You can use your mobile phone or computer to visit CarParts.com. Use our vehicle selector and input your vehicle’s details, including the exact year, make, model, and engine.

While we offer a low-price guarantee for our parts, this doesn’t mean that we scrimp on quality. Products are handpicked by our team of industry experts from today’s top manufacturers. We buy them in bulk so that we can pass on the savings to you. 

Check out our collection of high-quality Buick parts, and get your order in as fast as two business days.