Selling a junk or broken Buick LaCrosse

A LaCrosse with dead headlights, a bad engine or a long list of electrical faults can go as it is. We buy whole non-running and junk cars: sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Problems by generation

The LaCrosse replaced the Century for 2005, and Wikipedia gives US production from September 7, 2004 to February 15, 2019. We tallied LaCrosse owner complaints from NHTSA data on October 10, 2026. The vehicle number on a recall is for the whole campaign, and for the LaCrosse that usually takes in several GM nameplates.

First generation (2005-2009): lights and wiring

Built in Oshawa, Ontario, on the W-body shared with the Impala and Grand Prix. North American engines were a 3.8 V6 or a 3.6 V6 with a 4-speed 4T65-E automatic. The 2008-2009 years also offered the higher-performance LaCrosse Super. This generation holds 1,220 complaints.

Exterior lighting tops the complaint list on the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, and adds up to 387 complaints over the five years. Recall 15V519000 replaced the headlamp driver module on 2006-2009 LaCrosses; its 429,170 vehicles include the Grand Prix, Rainier, Trailblazer, Envoy and Isuzu models.

The electrical system comes second, at 65 to 69 complaints a year from 2005 to 2008. Air bags lead on the 2008 (70 of 250). 2005-2009 LaCrosses fall under recall 14V355000, a campaign of 3,141,731 vehicles. GM tied this LaCrosse problem to the air bag system. Until the repair, owners were told to carry just the ignition key on the ring, and the fix added two rings and a slot insert or head cover.

One early recall to check on the 2005: 05V156000, where a bent clip could let the brake booster pushrod separate from the brake pedal.

Second generation (2010-2016): suspension and engine

Production moved to Fairfax Assembly in Kansas City, Kansas, on GM's Epsilon II platform shared with the Regal. North American cars included a 2.4 four with a 6-speed automatic, and the eAssist hybrid. These seven years hold 848 complaints.

The engine is named in 26 complaints on the 2010, 23 on the 2011 and 32 on the 2012. Suspension appears in 25, 27 and 25 complaints on the 2011, 2012 and 2013. Three recalls replaced rear toe links and adjuster fasteners: 20V764000 and 21V00F000 on 2010-2013 cars, and 21V633000 on 2013 cars, all limited to cars sold or registered in listed states.

Other recalls from this generation:

• 13V173000: the generator control module on 2012-2013 eAssist cars, tested and replaced as needed.
• 11V404000: brake control module programming for stability control on some 2012 cars.
• 14V447000: power seat height adjuster bolts on 2011-2012 cars.

Third generation (2017-2019): a short run

Built at Detroit-Hamtramck, with a 3.6 V6 or a 2.5 four-cylinder eAssist hybrid. Only 54 complaints; the youngest LaCrosses have had the least time on the road to draw any. Recall 17V267000 says rear toe-links on some 2017 cars may have been installed wrong and could disconnect. On 2018-2019 cars, 20V668000 sent owners back for a look at the start-stop transmission's accumulator, replaced where bolts were absent.

By model year

Each year's recall figure includes multi-year campaigns, so the column overshoots 24. Complaint data: NHTSA, October 10, 2026; later years have had less time to accumulate reports.

Fix it, or sell it?

1. First, the free work. Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup. Headlamp, key and toe-link recalls may still be open on an older LaCrosse.
2. Electrical gremlins can eat hours of diagnosis. Get a written quote before agreeing to open-ended work. Our electrical problems guide covers how to judge it.
3. Rear end clunking or wandering? On 2010-2013 cars, ask a dealer about the toe-link recalls. Other suspension work is covered in broken suspension.
4. Weigh the estimate against a running LaCrosse's market price. If they're near each other, the sale wins.

Selling the whole car

1. Note the VIN, mileage and what's wrong.
2. Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where the LaCrosse is parked and if it rolls. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Don't strip it. Note any missing parts in your request.
5. Have the LaCrosse title and your ID when the truck comes. Lost title? Read selling with no title.

Related Buicks: the Century, Regal and Lucerne.