YearToAvoid

2012 Buick LaCrosse Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 62 engine complaints for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, 30% of its 206 total complaints for the year. No related recall is listed for this engine issue, and the median mileage at failure was 52,894 miles.

Engine complaints
62
30% of 206
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
52,894 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden engine stalling at highway or ramp speeds, sometimes recurring multiple times before the vehicle could be safely pulled over.
  • Several complaints describe unintended acceleration, including cases where the vehicle sped up on its own after the driver released the gas pedal or while attempting to park.
  • Some owners report the engine losing power abruptly at highway speed, with the check engine light illuminating and the vehicle needing to be towed.
  • One complaint describes a burning odor and no oil on the dipstick, tied to a leaking rear main seal and oil leaking between the engine and transmission.
  • A separate report describes engine loss of power at highway speed traced to a failed serpentine belt.
  • One owner reported a burning plastic smell along with stalling and check engine light illumination at 104,800 miles.

When 2012 Buick LaCrosse engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 17, 2012, latest Jul 10, 2026.

2012 Buick LaCrosse engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter42012 Q22013 Q32014 Q42016 Q32018 Q22021 Q12022 Q42026 Q2
62 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (4).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by LaCrosse model year

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

  1. 201062 (33%)
  2. 201142 (25%)
  3. 201262 (30%)
  4. 201333 (26%)
  5. 20147 (11%)
  6. 20153 (7%)
  7. 20169 (19%)
  8. 20178 (24%)
  9. 20185 (42%)
  10. 20193 (50%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Buick LaCrosse have?
NHTSA lists 62 engine complaints for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse, which is 30% of the 206 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse engine problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint category on the 2012 LaCrosse.
At what mileage do 2012 LaCrosse engine problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 52,894 miles.
What kind of engine problems do 2012 LaCrosse owners report?
Owners report sudden stalling, unintended acceleration, loss of power at highway speed, and in some cases oil leaks or a burning odor tied to the engine.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?
NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint category for the 2012 LaCrosse includes 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury.

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.