2011 Buick Lacrosse: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation. The issue first occurred in January 2026. The vehicle was later towed for repair in February 2026, and I was told the issue had been fixed and picked up the vehicle 3/20/2026 and gave $1600. However, on April 9, 2026, the vehicle shut off again while driving. This issue has occurred multiple times and persists despite repair attempts. When the vehicle shuts off, it creates a loss of power and poses a significant safety risk in traffic. I am concerned that this may be a broader safety issue and am requesting that this defect be documented and investigated.

Filed Jan 30, 2024 · Electrical · CT

#07-06-04-019F: Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL} Illuminated, OTC Pl':1.~J with Reduced Engine Power (Repair Instrument Panel (IP) to Body Harness Connector). Lost power on I-84 and had to cross over the right lane because I had no power, barely missing a rear end collision.

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · MS

I noticed today as I was stopped at a red light with my foot on brake the vehicle was kinda jumping like it was trying to go while foot was on brake. I drove a little further and the service stabilitrak light came on followed by the reduced engine power. The car proceeded to die in the middle of a busy street. After a few minutes it did restart and I was able to get it home. This seems to be a common problem with 2011 buick lacrosse. Ihave seen several complaints about this same issue.

Filed Feb 17, 2020 · Driver assistance · DE

Loss of electrical power while driving. I have a 2011 buick lacrosse which has had multiple problems since I purchased. I have spent thousands trying to get fixed from the dealership to other certified auto technicians and I continue to have issues. Fri, 2/14/2020 I almost loss my life. My car dashboard started going black as I drove up to ramp onto the interstate it completely loss power and veered off the road into the grass. I was seconds away from the interstate!

Filed Jan 8, 2020 · Engine · 57,000 miles · WI

Our family's 2011 buick lacrosse only has 57k miles on it, and the engine already has permanent irreversible damage from a manufacturer oversight in which the timing chain "skips time." while driving on the highway, the car unpredictably lost all power, including power brakes and power steering. I quickly muscled the car to the shoulder and came to a complete stop, but this created a very dangerous situation for our family as we were forced to cross traffic, at speed, to reach the road shoulder. A day prior to this incident the vehicle went into "reduced power" mode while traveling uphill, cutting speed from 55mph to 35mph, backing up traffic. Cars were passing and honking in a double yellow-lined stretch of road. We subsequently shouldered the car, shut off its power and it seemed to be operating properly until our destination, but we only had 3 miles left to travel. The timing gear is pressed-on instead of keyed-on. This can cause the timing chain to "skip time," damaging the engine and causing erratic engine behavior. Our mechanic has seen our exact engine issue with the 3.6l 6-cyl engines in various other gm vehicles. The problem is widespread enough to cause engine rebuild companies to key-on the timing gear, instead of gm's typical press-on process. Our mechanic advises that keying-on the timing gear is known to fix the original issue of the timing chain dangerously "skipping time." one such company, recommended by our mechanic, is jasperengines.com. I hope that the federal safety agency can investigate this issue and hold gm accountable for this dangerous oversight for which gm fails to acknowledge or address. My complaint is on record at gm's corp service center with phone number 866‑790‑5600 - ticket #[xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 55,900 miles · AZ

The car was just purchased on 112619 and the day I bought I got warning light on dash next day car is in reduced power mode, took back to carmax to have this issue resolved they cleaned tps adv it was dirty poor contact. Two days later the light is back on this time the car is sent to buick dealership in gilbert they replaced the throttle position sensor and I was told issue is fixed 24 hours later car is back in reduced power mode

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Driver assistance · 53,000 miles · CA

July 23, 2019 -I was on the hwy for approx. Four hours with my niece when suddenly my car created a loud sound and I lost power and control of my car including my brakes. I was traveling at 70 mile per hour. Luckily, two cars had just passed me when this occurred otherwise I could have had a very serious accident. I was on the left lane and was able to coast to the shoulder. The hwy. Was flat and I was able to coast to a stop. The engine wouldn't start, but after approx. Five minutes it started but I wasn't able to move. The car idled extremely rough. The electronic stability control (ESC) light and the check engine lights were on. I waited for a tow truck in 96 degree weather for two hours before I was able to get a tow to a garage 40 miles away. This happend on tuesday. I left my car at the buick dealer and left the key in the drop box. I was told wednesday morning that they wouldn't be able to look at it until today (thursday), so I have no idea as yet what damage has occurred to the engine. I have only 53,000 miles on the vehicle and it is a 2011 model. How could something like this happen?

Filed Jul 20, 2019 · Electrical · 107,000 miles · TN

Every time I will drive for so long I'd lose all power radio dash lights headlights everything and start blinking and going out and finally the car was just die. Come to find out it is electrical issues and it's costing me more than the car is worth to even get it back from the shop.

Filed Feb 10, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 74,930 miles · MI

My car stated that my trakstabilty system needed to be serviced then reduced engine power lite up. Car would not shift and would not increase in speed over twenty miles per hour. I had to pull over and turn my car off leave it parked until I could get it to the dealership. The throttle body was defective. This has happened on other 2011 lacrosses and their is a special service bulletin with free repair but for some reason not in mine. I had to pay 500 dollar to replace this. My car only has 74000 miles on it and I could have been injured if I wasn't in a place where I could turn my vehicle off safely.

Filed Jan 22, 2019 · Engine · 97,000 miles · PA

I was going 50 miles an hour down the road when I approached an intersection and stabilitrak came on and then stated reduced engine power. At which time I lost all power to get through intersection. Almost got hit by 3 directions trying to get my car out of the road. I finally coasted to the side of the road turned car off and back on drove for another mile before it did it again. This is not safe. I do not know what is wrong with it. I am now stuck at work I do not dare to drive it.

Filed Dec 31, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 71,000 miles · IL

While accelerating from a stop at an intersection and intitating a trn on a city street, the engine stopped and lost power steering and power brakes. The engine had to be jumped and a rod knock sound occurred. The engine later siezed up permanently at the service center. The vehicle was well maintained and oil levels were within normal operating range. There were no prior indications of engine trouble.

Filed Jan 6, 2018 · Driver assistance, Engine · 112 miles · MA

Loss of engine power while driving on highway, sudden warning stabilitrak needs service, engine power reduced. Speed dropped to 30 MPH on highway from 70mph traffic flow. Could not accelerate at all to keep up w/traffic, had to pull onto shoulder to avoid getting rear ended. Could not accelerate enough speed to merge back onto highway light turned off. Dangerous!!!