VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Buick LaCrosse2005–2019
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Buick LaCrosse
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Buick LaCrosse Years to Avoid
2 recalls · 210 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3 recalls · 202 complaints
Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 recall · 162 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Buick LaCrosse — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 89 | 83 | 87 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 2 | 5 | — | — | 85 | 77 | 82 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 25 | — | — | 65 | 70 | 67 | Good |
| 2016 | 1 | 30 | 1 | — | 65 | 63 | 64 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 23 | — | — | 67 | 56 | 63 | Good |
| 2014 | 2 | 45 | 3 | — | 59 | 50 | 56 | Good |
| 2013 | 4 | 107 | 4 | 1 | 40 | 45 | 42 | Caution |
| 2012 | 3 | 142 | 7 | — | 52 | 41 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 1 | 134 | 8 | — | 61 | 38 | 53 | Caution |
| 2010 | 1 | 138 | 2 | — | 64 | 38 | 55 | Caution |
| 2009 | 1 | 70 | — | — | 65 | 38 | 56 | Good |
| 2008 | 1 | 162 | 7 | — | 62 | 38 | 54 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 2 | 166 | — | — | 60 | 38 | 52 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 2 | 210 | 13 | — | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 3 | 202 | — | — | 55 | 38 | 49 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Buick LaCrosse Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the LaCrosse compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2019 (Buyer Score 87).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 67).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year LaCrosse to buy?+
The 2019 Buick LaCrosse scores highest on our Buyer Score (87/100) — combining a reliability score of 89/100 with a value score of 83/100. It has 1 recall and 6 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which LaCrosse years have the most problems?+
The 2006, 2005, 2008 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2006 LaCrosse leads with 2 recalls and 210 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common LaCrosse problems?+
The most frequently reported Buick LaCrosse issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AIR BAGS, ENGINE. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.