Buick · LaCrosse · 2016
2016 Buick LaCrosse
2
Recalls
44
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Buick LaCrosse has 2 recalls and 44 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: steering (9 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Buick LaCrosse page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is steering with 9 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Buick LaCrosse currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 44 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are steering (9), air bags (4), power train (4).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Buick LaCrosse
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 44
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
11.8% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 17V437000July 10, 2017
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. 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 17287.
NHTSA ID: 16V651000September 08, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. 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 16007.
Owner Complaints
44 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 20, 2025
Trunk lid latch disintegrated, and lid flipped open without warning. Driver vision immediately obscured, leaving trunk contents to be easily dislodged and become hazardous to other motorists; will not secure.
STEERING
Mar 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while his wife was driving in rainy or snowy conditions, the check power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after it had stopped raining or snowing, the vehicle regained power st...
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AIR BAGS
Nov 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side air bag needed to be repla...
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ENGINE
Nov 14, 2024
Diagnostic trouble code P0442. Evaporative emission system leak detected indicated by check engine light on.
STEERING
May 19, 2024
My steering wheel is locking up as I am driving . Very scary and dangerous where my dealership I lease car from (sunset dealership).,Lompoc,CA has found no codes dealing with the situation twice.
STEERING,ENGINE
May 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the failure w...
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POWER TRAIN
Apr 22, 2024
Cars shudders 20-30 MPH. Started last year, I needed to get my wife for cancer treatments. Basically, shifted the car manually.
STEERING
Dec 23, 2023
I lost power steering while driving 70 mph on a two-lane highway in Wyoming. There were no warnings before the incident, but a Service Power Steering light came on at the same time it quit working. One mechanic shop did a diagnosis on the car. I was told that the Electric Gear Po...
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STEERING
Nov 1, 2023
While navigating a curve, my power steering quit, nearly causing me to hit an oncoming car in the opposite lane. I stop and search the car for issues but found none. The care returned to normal steering and two days later, I had a vehicle pull out in front of me, while quickly av...
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SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Oct 15, 2023
Adaptive cruise control dropped out, taking along with it the ABS (warning light), Stabilitrak (handling system) (warning light), Collision prep (message). Dealer states the ABS computer module failed, now in process of finding a replacement. Meanwhile, the ABS, cruise control,...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 44 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Buick models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Buick LaCrosse Years
2017 Buick LaCrosseCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r33c2015 Buick LaCrosseCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r44c2018 Buick LaCrosseCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r12c2014 Buick LaCrosseCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.5r62c2019 Buick LaCrosseCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r5c2013 Buick LaCrosseCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.5r126c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse have?
The 2016 Buick LaCrosse has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Buick LaCrosse?
NHTSA has received 44 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Buick LaCrosse.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Buick LaCrosse?
The 2016 Buick LaCrosse received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Buick LaCrosse?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Buick LaCrosse are steering (9 reports), air bags (4 reports), power train (4 reports).
Does the 2016 Buick LaCrosse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2016 Buick LaCrosse. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.