YearToAvoid

2017 Buick LaCrosse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2017 Buick LaCrosse has a complaint index of 14, ranks 13th worst out of 15 model years, and earns a Best verdict. It has 34 complaints and 2 recalls, with Electrical System issues (32% share) the top problem area.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
14/100
#13 of 15 LaCrosse years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
34
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
20.5 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2017 Buick LaCrosse problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System11 (32%)
  2. Engine8 (24%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain8 (24%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (12%)
  5. Airbags2 (6%)
  6. Brakes2 (6%)
  7. Structure & Body2 (6%)
  8. Fuel System1 (3%)
  9. Other1 (3%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Windows roll down on their own while the vehicle is parked and the key fob is away from the car.
  • The auto stop/start system shuts the vehicle down at a stop and radio, clock, and other settings reset as if the battery had been disconnected.
  • Driver seat belt sticks and requires repeated pulling for several minutes before it will release or unlatch.
  • Cruise control resets itself to a much higher speed than set, with the engine revving and the vehicle accelerating on its own until the brake is applied.
  • Transmission shifts rapidly between lower gears during light acceleration around 20 to 40 mph, and separately the gear shift lever misselects gears or resists moving into park or reverse.
  • Engine idles and then revs on its own for several seconds while the vehicle is stationary with the brake depressed.
2017 Buick LaCrosse complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2016Aug 2018Apr 2019Feb 2020Aug 2021Dec 2023Jun 2024
34 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2016 to May 2026; peak Feb 2020 (3).

2017 Buick LaCrosse recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V267000Apr 21, 2017Suspension, Wheels & Tires11,246 vehicles

    Suspension:rear

    General Motors LLC (C) is recalling certain 2017 Buick LaCrosse vehicles. The rear suspension toe-links may have been incorrectly installed, and, as a result, they may loosen and disconnect from the rear suspension system.

    Risk: If a rear-suspension toe-link disconnects, it may cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right rear suspension toe-link assemblies, correcting their installation as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 25, 2017. Owners may contact Buick's customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 17168.

  2. NHTSA 17V116000Feb 23, 2017Steering2,085 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Buick LaCrosse vehicles. The electrical connectors for the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system may not be properly sealed. As a result, water may enter and corrode the connectors possibly resulting in a loss of power steering.

    Risk: A loss of power steering may result in increased manual steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect correct the seal seating and secure the EPS connector seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 17085.

2017 Buick LaCrosse fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20.5 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other LaCrosse years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Best2144321
2016Good2948221
2017Best1434224
2018Best712324
2019Best06224

All Buick LaCrosse years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2017 LaCrosse a complaint index of 14, the second-lowest among 15 model years, and a Best verdict relative to other LaCrosse years.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Buick LaCrosse?
Electrical System complaints make up 32% of reports, followed by Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues, each at 24%, according to NHTSA.
Does the 2017 Buick LaCrosse have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 LaCrosse: one for rear suspension toe-links that may loosen and disconnect, and one for Electronic Power Steering connectors that may corrode from water intrusion.
How does the 2017 LaCrosse compare to other years?
The 2017 model has far fewer complaints (34) than early years like 2006 (299 complaints, complaint index 100, Avoid), placing it among the better LaCrosse years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Buick LaCrosse?
The EPA rates the 2017 LaCrosse at 24 mpg combined (20.5 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

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.