2012 Buick LaCrosse
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Sedan Eassist, 4dr Sedan FWD
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 24 city / 35 hwy
- Length
- 196.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,774–4,226 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2012 midsize car (23.9 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 26 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Buick LaCrosse is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,226 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (24 city / 35 highway), 17% better than the 2012 midsize car average of 23.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2012
- New hybrid version
- Best combined MPG up from 23 to 28
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 LaCrosse →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan AWD | 196.9 in | 73.2 in | 59.1 in | 111.8 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 4,226 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr Sedan Eassist | 196.9 in | 73.2 in | 59.1 in | 111.8 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,774 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr Sedan FWD | 196.9 in | 73.2 in | 59.1 in | 111.8 in | 61.4 / 61.8 in | 3,935 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaCrosse eAssist Hybrid | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 35 / 28 | +17% | $2,400 | 317 |
| LaCrosse FFV | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 21 | -12% | $3,200 | 423 |
| LaCrosse FFV | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 21 | -12% | $3,200 | 423 |
| LaCrosse AWD FFV | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 26 / 20 | -16% | $3,350 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.
Similar 2012 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Buick LaCrosse (this car) | 28 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Ford Mustang | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Honda Accord | 27 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Impala | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | 40 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Camaro | 22 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Dodge Charger | 23 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
Recalls (5)
Suspension › Rear · Dec 22, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V00F000 · 4,271 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
- Risk
- A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
Suspension › Rear · Dec 21, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V764000 · 220,006 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
- Risk
- A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 23, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Electrical System · May 6, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V173000 · 42,904 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Aug 3, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V404000 · 4,077 vehicles
- Problem
- GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BUICK LACROSSE PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 9, 2011, THROUGH JULY 2, 2011, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 126, "ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS (ESC)." THE STABILITRAK SYSTEM HAS AN INCORRECT CALIBRATION THAT MAY CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO NOT PROPERLY DETECT IF A SENSOR WERE TO MALFUNCTION, AND THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE, AS REQUIRED IN THE SAFETY STANDARD.
- Risk
- THE IMPROPER DIAGNOSING MAY CAUSE THE ESC TO FALSELY ACTIVATE, RESULTING IN SUDDEN CHANGES IN VEHICLE HANDLING AND DECELERATION, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE'S DESIRED PATH OF TRAVEL AND DESIRED VEHICLE SPEED, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Fix
- GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.
Not every 2012 Buick LaCrosse is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Buick LaCrosse buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 49 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 36 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Suspension — 28 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 71,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other LaCrosse years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 LaCrosse | 29 | 197.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 7 |
| 2018 LaCrosse | 29 | 197.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 12 |
| 2017 LaCrosse | 25 | 197.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 36 |
| 2016 LaCrosse | 28 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 48 |
| 2015 LaCrosse | 28 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 44 |
| 2014 LaCrosse | 28 | 196.9 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 61 |
| 2013 LaCrosse | 29 | 196.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 116 |
| 2011 LaCrosse | 23 | 196.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 121 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Buick. How we calculate this →