YearToAvoid

2018 Buick LaCrosse Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2018 Buick LaCrosse ranks 14th of 15 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 7 and only 12 NHTSA complaints — the lowest among LaCrosse years. It earns a Best verdict despite 3 recalls covering the fuel pump, brakes, and transmission accumulator.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
7/100
#14 of 15 LaCrosse years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
12
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2019
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2018 Buick LaCrosse problems

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

  1. Electrical System5 (42%)
  2. Engine5 (42%)
  3. Fuel System3 (25%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (25%)
  5. Brakes1 (8%)
  6. Other1 (8%)

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

What owners report

  • Engine can experience reduced power or hesitation to accelerate at stops, sometimes with the check engine and traction control lights on together.
  • Some owners report the auto stop-start feature lets the car roll backward after releasing the brake on an incline.
  • Electrical failures include the vehicle shutting off suddenly, with software updates or battery replacements failing to fix the issue for good.
  • Key fob failures leave owners unable to unlock doors or restart the vehicle, even after replacing the fob batteries.
  • A start/stop transmission accumulator endcap bolt detached in one case, causing transmission fluid to leak and the car to hesitate while accelerating.
  • One owner found a faulty thermostat causing engine temperature readings to stay cold despite the fans running constantly.
2018 Buick LaCrosse complaints: complaints filed per month1Oct 2018Sep 2019Jan 2022Nov 2023Jun 2024Sep 2025
12 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2018 to Nov 2025; peak Oct 2018 (1).

2018 Buick LaCrosse recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

    Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

  2. NHTSA 18V576000Aug 30, 2018Brakes210,628 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

    Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

  3. NHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

    Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

2018 Buick LaCrosse fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 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.

2018 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
2016Good2948221
2017Best1434224
2018Best712324
2019Best06224

All Buick LaCrosse years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Buick LaCrosse reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 LaCrosse ranks 14th out of 15 model years with a complaint index of 7, making it one of the better years for the model.
What problems does the 2018 Buick LaCrosse have?
NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2018 LaCrosse, split evenly between the Electrical System and Engine at 42% share each, with Fuel System and Transmission & Powertrain issues each making up 25%.
Does the 2018 Buick LaCrosse have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: a fuel pump replacement, a brake system bleed, and a start-stop transmission accumulator inspection and replacement. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What year Buick LaCrosse should I avoid?
According to NHTSA data, 2006 has the worst complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, along with 2008, 2010, and 2011. The 2018 model year is not one to avoid.
How is the 2018 LaCrosse's fuel economy?
EPA rates the 2018 LaCrosse at 24 mpg combined (21 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.