The Lemon Index
2015
20172nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: speed control
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–28 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Toyota Avalon 312016 Chevrolet Impala 452016 Nissan Maxima 56
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 17V437000 (airbags) and 16V651000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Buick sent dealers 1241 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This preliminary informational bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 18 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 11K to 40K miles (18K to 64K km) on the car (15 of all 18 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I was driving in the city involved in a car accident and my airbags did not deploy
2016 Buick LaCrosse owner · NHTSA complaint 11150374
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 11133159
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1241 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This preliminary informational bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Lacrosse 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Lacrosse 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Lacrosse eAssist 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Buick LaCrosse year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-lacrosse/?y=2016" title="Buick LaCrosse reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-lacrosse/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Buick LaCrosse reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 55; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick LaCrosse year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2015.
What are the most common 2016 Buick LaCrosse problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (28%), airbags (11%) and steering (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse get?
20 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Buick LaCrosse safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick LaCrosse year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works