AI Damage2017 Buick Lacrosse: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Buick Lacrosse filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 807 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 36
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 807
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 31% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 3% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (31% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 179.
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 63.
- Engine: 5 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 87.
- Suspension: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 36 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 179 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 63 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 87 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 17 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 30 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 27 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 19 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My 2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium AWD (116,220 miles) experienced a severe all-wheel-drive failure causing significant binding and a loud rumbling/clunking noise during sharp, low-speed cornering and acceleration. The vehicle has been officially inspected by two separate authorized manufacturer service centers.
The vehicle suffered an immediate loss of engine continuity and engine power, forcing the car into a hazardous low-speed limp mode while in active traffic. A certified repair facility inspected the vehicle, confirmed a complete failure of the internal pedal sensor circuit, and replaced the unit to restore safe…
This vehicle has major suspension issues containing the complete strut assembly, lower control arms, and strut yokes/forks, which can not be replaced due to the discontinuance of the vehicle and parts itself. Because of this the car cannot receive an alignment which cause the tires to be eaten up at a rapid rate.
No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front driver's side strut. The vehicle was not repaired because parts were not available.
The air bag warning light in the dash came on intermittently during driving. I took the vehicle to the dealer for service December 27, 2023, since it was a safety issue that the authorized dealer needs to take care of. At first, they said it was a bad battery and the safety system needed reprogramming.
The amplifier stopped working and all the sound comes through the amp including but not limited to seatbelt, door ajar, rear seat reminder, blinkers, back up sounds, and any and all sounds that the car my make for any safety features, onstar features, radio, Bluetooth, the list goes on.
The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was making an abnormally loud stomping sound and the wheels were shuddering significantly. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving.
The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was concerned about the safety of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was taken to another dealer but was not yet diagnosed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,004 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 48% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lacrosse has 21 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 36, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- This Preliminary information communicates a possible issue with an engine timing chain, gear or crankshaft key
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Provide info on that parts restriction ending for the rear diff clutch control 19435910
NHTSA lists 807 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Buick Lacrosse?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 36. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (19%), jerking, harsh shifts (8%), infotainment or screen glitches (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Buick Lacrosse?
NHTSA lists 807 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Buick Lacrosse from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.