2016 Buick Lacrosse Safety Report

The 2016 Buick LaCrosse presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 5 stars overall, for frontal, and side impacts, with a 4-star rollover rating, its complaint data reveals several concerning patterns. With 44 total complaints, including 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries, there are notable issues that could impact real-world safety. The most frequently reported component is STEERING (9 complaints), with multiple reports of sudden power steering loss at various speeds, including highway speeds, which poses a significant crash risk. POWER TRAIN issues (4 complaints) are also prominent, with descriptions of violent shaking, hard shifts, and transmission failures, some leading to difficulty stopping or accelerating. Recall history includes two recalls related to AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, specifically addressing a potential failure of front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash. While the NHTSA crash tests indicate strong performance when airbags do deploy, these recalls highlight a critical safety system vulnerability. Other reported issues, though less frequent, include adaptive cruise control malfunctions leading to unexpected hard braking, and issues with the fuel system, such as leaking fuel lines, which could pose fire hazards as evidenced by the 2 reported fires. The combination of excellent crash test scores with recurring critical component failures suggests that while the vehicle performs well in controlled crash scenarios, its operational reliability and the potential for sudden system failures are areas of concern. Overall, the 2016 Buick LaCrosse demonstrates strong passive safety in terms of crash protection, but active safety and reliability are compromised by recurring issues, particularly with the steering and powertrain systems. The 9 complaints related to steering, many detailing sudden loss of power steering, are particularly alarming given the direct impact on vehicle control. The 4 power train complaints, including reports of violent shaking and transmission issues, also point to potential safety hazards during operation. The two airbag recalls, while addressed, underscore a past vulnerability in a primary safety system.

Our recommendation: While the 2016 Buick LaCrosse boasts strong crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of recurring power steering and powertrain issues reported in NHTSA complaints; a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these components is highly recommended.