2016 Buick Lacrosse: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Buick Lacrosse: 2 recalls, 48 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #16V651000 · 2016 · 3,640,162 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The fix: 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.
Seat belts, Airbags Vehicle recall #17V437000 · 2017 · 40,683 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (12): the most common themes are steering problems (11), warning light on (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (7): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4), warning light on (2).
- Airbags (6): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3), warning light on (2).
- Speed control / throttle (6): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
The 2016 Buick Lacrosse has 48 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 15 Lacrosse model years for complaints (well below the 141 average). Complaints peaked in 2023 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 40,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (44 complaints, 3 recalls), 2017 (36 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 21 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Buick Lacrosse have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Buick Lacrosse. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Buick Lacrosse problems?
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (12), transmission & drivetrain (7), airbags (6).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Buick Lacrosse get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Buick Lacrosse repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.