Buick Lacrosse harsh shifting problems

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Transmission · IL

My 2017 Buick LaCrosse Premium AWD (116,220 miles) experienced a severe all-wheel-drive failure causing significant binding and a loud rumbling/clunking noise during sharp, low-speed cornering and acceleration. The vehicle has been officially inspected by two separate authorized manufacturer service centers. On September 25, 2026, a certified GM technician at Advantage Buick GMC formally documented that the vehicle has a prominent rear drivetrain failure, identifying it as a "rear diff or driveshaft issue" that requires full component replacement. Prior to the complete mechanical failure, no warning lights or dashboard indicators illuminated. The binding symptoms appeared suddenly during normal city driving maneuvers. This drivetrain failure directly aligns with documented corporate engineering safety campaigns, specifically Customer Satisfaction Program #16069 (propeller shaft/driveshaft C-clip disengagement defect) and TSB #18-NA-049 (catastrophic twin-clutch carrier assembly failure). The failure of this component poses a severe, immediate driving hazard as a sudden disengagement of the driveshaft or differential lockup at road speeds can result in a catastrophic loss of vehicle control. General Motors has ghosted my corporate case (#113840289) and refused to remedy this manufacturing vulnerability

Filed Jul 30, 2019 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · IL

I purchased my vehicle in june of 2018. The car drove beautifully for about 14000 miles. Then I started noticing harsh shifts at lower speeds, shifted fine on the highway. This continued on and I just thought it was normal wear. Then about 2 months after the harsh shifting started I was getting on the highway and accelerating up to speed. I then let off my gas pedal and the car stuck in gear. I tried slowing down and speeding up and the car would not shift. I had to pull over shut the car off and turn it back on during rush hour. This happened again about a month later, so I called to make an appointment at the dealer. Took my car in and the service tech asked me to ride with and show him what it is doing. So I drove the tech around about a half hour. On the way back in traffic at about 35 MPH the car stuck in gear again with the tech in the car. They had the car a week and cud not replicate the issue again. They talked about reprogramming my ans but since no reported problems they could not do it. I have had the car back a month and it has happened twice again. So I will yet again make another appointment. This is very unsafe when the transmission will not shift to have to try and pull off on busy highways where there are not always safe places to do so.

Filed Jun 23, 2019 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · OH

Loud clunk noise during any gear change. Car does not have to be moving. I experimented this problem while shifting from park to drive, drive to reverse, reverse to park. This problem also exists shifting up and down gears. Took it to the dealer to get serviced. They flushed the transmission, reprogrammed the transmission control to no avail. The problem occurs when the engine is cold and hot

Filed Dec 13, 2017 · Brakes, Steering · 60,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 buick lacrosse. While driving various speeds, there was a clunking noise in the steering wheel when it was turned left or right. In addition, the ABS indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the brakes were replaced several times and, when making a right turn, the brakes squealed. Kempthorn mazda in canton, ohio was made aware of the failures, but the vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The mechanic replaced the rotors and the brake pads. The steering wheel was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2015 · Steering · 85,000 miles · NJ

Original owner of a 2007 buick lacrosse cxl. Power steering pump failure at around 85,000 miles. Power steering pump failed because of leaking hoses. Primary reason for leak is due to lines incorrectly crimped around the metal line that adheres to rubber hose. Lines cannot withstand pressure and start leaking intermittently until they completely fail. I have replaced power steering pump and rack and pinion due to faulty lines damaging the whole system. I have seen many instances online about people having to replace a couple months later after initial replacement. This is a manufacturers defect of power steering lines that are out on the market. Another issue is the clunking sound that is coming from the steering column.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Steering · 64,000 miles · AK

Pulled into parking lot and lost power steering. Lots of clunking and grinding just prior. Mechanic says power steering hoses, rack and pinion and tie rods. Yet another problem with this vehicle. Gm was aware enough of the problem that they put a supervisor on the line but said that it is out of warranty now, so it's not their problem. Going to try to work with local guys to get out of it. Not sinking another penny into this car. If this had happened on the highway, I'd be dead.

Filed Feb 20, 2013 · Electrical · 25,000 miles · AZ

Experiencing problems with the automatic door locks. Sometimes they work & sometimes they don't! Sometimes when I hit the unlock button only the driver side unlocks. When I hit the lock button I have to manually lock all passengers doors. Also having problems with the instrument panel lights intermittently will fail causing limited visualization of the gauges. Also have a clunking noise on the right side.

Filed Jan 3, 2013 · Steering · 5,000 miles · TX

Making clunk type noise from the upper intermediate steering shaft while turning the steering wheel. This started to happen from the 1st year of ownership, but it was only during the winter months and the frequency was very rare (1 or two times). Recently it started to happen all the time. Looked up the internet and appears that many people are having the same problem. Contacted buick and reported the problem.

Filed Nov 17, 2012 · Steering · 47,000 miles · TX

I have a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel/shaft assemble when turing either direction or when hitting a bump. There is a buick tsb that describes the problem for the 2005-2007 years and the parts were upgraded in 2008 to fix the problem. Buick will not replace the part free but I notice that this is a common problem for these years. There doesn't appear to be any sort of recall, or least I don't see any on line and I have not been notified. The dealership wants $250 to replace the needed parts.

Filed Mar 8, 2011 · Steering · 35,143 miles · IL

My vehicle was experiencing clunking whenever I turned the steering wheel while driving with less than 35,000 miles on it. It had become progressively worse over the past few months. The steering also felt a bit loose. I contacted gm for vehicle recalls and there was one on the steering column but not for my vehicle or the intermediate shaft which as it turns out was the defective part and the shaft was loose internally. Gm insisted I go to a gm dealer for service to see if I "might" be eligible for replacement assistance. I told them I had a certified mechanic who was closer and less expensive. I offered to send them the defective part and they were not interested. Gm stated when I filed my complaint with them that they will not review any vehicle issues unless serviced by a gm dealer. They also offered no opinion when I told them gm has multiple service bulletins on the clunking issue and this defective part. I know of at least 15 similar complaints filed with the federal safety agency. Apparently, gm won't take ownership of defective parts unless someone loses steering, dies and they are sued. So much for customer service. I am curious how many other intermediate shafts have been replaced by gm or other mechanics - maybe hundreds or thousands. I also had to replace two front defective outer tie rod ends at 30,000 miles and this is with gentle driving. Looks like another defective part and dangerous too if not caught in time.