YearToAvoid

2011 Buick LaCrosse Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 18 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 Buick LaCrosse, 11% of that year's 169 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 15,449. A related recall (14V447000) covers power height adjuster shoulder bolts on the front seats.

Structure & Body complaints
18
11% of 169
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
15,449 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe thick A-pillars and large door posts on the front corners that block forward and side visibility, in some cases contributing to hitting a curb or near misses with pedestrians.
  • Several drivers report large, non-adjustable or locked head restraints that push the head and neck forward, causing stiffness and discomfort, with one case reporting neck and shoulder injury at 40,000 miles.
  • A wide blind spot between the windshield and side window is described as interfering with lane changes and turns, leading to near misses.
  • The blind spot warning system indicator on the multi-function display is reported as unreliable, especially failing during rain or road spray.
  • One owner reports the trunk opening on its own while driving 35 mph, traced by a dealer to a body control module that needed replacement and recurred after repair.
  • Some owners tied to recall 14V447000 for the power seat height adjuster report waiting for repair parts to become available.

When 2011 Buick LaCrosse body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 28, 2011, latest Jan 28, 2021.

2011 Buick LaCrosse structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2011Jul 2012Nov 2013Jan 2015Jan 2016Apr 2020
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2011 to Jan 2021; peak Sep 2011 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2011 Buick LaCrosse

  1. NHTSA 14V447000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body414,333 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:power adjust

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

    Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

Structure & Body complaints by LaCrosse model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201012 (6%)
  2. 201118 (11%)
  3. 201215 (7%)
  4. 20136 (5%)
  5. 20143 (5%)
  6. 20150 (0%)
  7. 20163 (6%)
  8. 20172 (6%)
  9. 20180 (0%)
  10. 20190 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2011 Buick LaCrosse have?
NHTSA lists 18 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 LaCrosse, which is 11% of that model year's 169 total complaints.
Is there a recall related to Structure & Body issues on the 2011 LaCrosse?
Yes, recall 14V447000 covers 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse and related GM models equipped with power height adjuster seats, where GM replaced the shoulder bolts free of charge.
What mileage do Structure & Body problems typically show up at?
The median mileage at failure for these complaints is 15,449 miles, according to NHTSA data.
What kind of visibility complaints do 2011 LaCrosse owners report?
Owners describe thick front pillars and a wide blind spot between the windshield and side window that block visibility during turns and lane changes.
Did any Structure & Body complaints involve crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 4 injuries linked to Structure & Body complaints on the 2011 LaCrosse, with no fires reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.