2018 Buick LaCrosse reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2018 Buick LaCrosse holds 12 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most LaCrosse years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Automatic transmission, Caliper, and Fuel pump.

2012 Buick LaCrosse — Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (5 of 12), then Engine (4) and Powertrain (3).

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 LaCrosse has 34 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Buick LaCrosse. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2020-10-29 · NHTSA campaign 20V668000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall hydraulic brakes, foundation components, disc, caliper 2018-08-30 · NHTSA campaign 18V576000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Fuel pump 2018-05-31 · NHTSA campaign 18V358000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (12 total)

Electrical system

Engine

Powertrain

Fuel and propulsion system

Speed control

Fuel system, gasoline

Hydraulic brakes

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"When I get to a stop sign, and a stop light, when trying to accelerate after a complete stop, the car would struggle to accelerate to go forward. Where the shifting gears would start blinking, and the warning lights…"
Powertrain, Electrical system, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-11-11
"The contact owns a 2018 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated the hand controls were not working properly. While driving, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The engine power reduced…"
Speed control, Engine · filed 2025-09-22
"The 3.6 liter engine in my 2018 Buick Lacrosse Avenir only has 53,939 when we experienced a thermostat failure. The engine temperature was dead cold, and the dual electric fans were running non-stop. When I scanned the…"
Engine · filed 2024-11-05
"The contact owns a 2018 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact pulled over and checked…"
Hydraulic brakes, Fuel system, gasoline, Powertrain · filed 2024-06-11
"Thermostat failure at 56,000 miles."
Engine · filed 2023-12-23

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2018 Buick LaCrosse 4 DR AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2018 Buick LaCrosse 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2018 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
LaCrosse	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic (9-speed)	Front-wheel drive	21	30	24 MPG	$2700
LaCrosse all-wheel drive	3.6L, 6-cyl	Automatic (9-speed)	All-wheel drive	20	29	23 MPG	$2800
LaCrosse eAssist	2.5L, 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	25	35	29 MPG	$2250

Specs and fitment

3rd generation, 2017–2019

Body styles Sedan

Oil 5W-30 (all temps); 0W-30 below -29°C , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 235/50R18, 245/45R19, 245/40R20 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V-576 covers certain 2018-2019 Buick LaCrosse vehicles among other GM models: the rear brake caliper piston seal may allow air into the hydraulic system and reduce braking performance. Dealers bleed the brake system. Recall 20V-668 covers certain 2018-2019 LaCrosse vehicles among other GM models: missing bolts on the start-stop transmission accumulator endcap can leak transmission oil and may progress to a loss of propulsion; dealers inspect and replace the accumulator if bolts are missing. Recall 18V-358 covers certain 2018 LaCrosse vehicles among other GM models: the high-pressure fuel pump may detach and damage a fuel line, creating a leak and fire risk; dealers replace the pump and high-pressure pipe.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Buick LaCrosse Next year 2019 Buick LaCrosse See every Buick LaCrosse model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

What are common problems with a 2018 Buick LaCrosse?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (5 of 12), then Engine (4) and Powertrain (3).

Is the 2018 Buick LaCrosse more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 LaCrosse has 34 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2019 has 6 complaints, 1 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Buick LaCrosse been recalled?

The 2018 Buick LaCrosse has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Buick LaCrosse?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2018 Buick LaCrosse with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Buick LaCrosse get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Buick LaCrosse is 25.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Buick LaCrosse take?

5W-30 at all temps; 0W-30 is listed for use below -29°C on both the 2012-2016 and 2017-2019 generations here.

What does recall 18V-576 cover on later LaCrosse?

Certain 2018-2019 LaCrosse vehicles among other GM models: the rear brake caliper piston seal may allow air into the hydraulic system and reduce braking performance. Dealers bleed the brake system.

When did the third-generation LaCrosse start?

Model year 2017 (through 2019 on this site).