Buyer Research

2015 Buick LaCrosse — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $10,000–$15,000. There is 1 high-severity known issue you need to know before handing over a check.

Deciding between model years? Compare the 10 Buick LaCrosse years we've written up →

Kestrel Take

A quiet, comfortable, big-riding sedan that delivers near-luxury calm for mainstream money. The 3.6L V6 is strong; the eAssist mild-hybrid four is more complex. Comfortable and cheap to buy, with GM's usual electrical and timing-related watch-items. A relaxed cruiser if the V6 timing chain and electronics check out.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-25

NHTSA holds 44 owner complaints for the 2015 Buick LaCrosse, and 3 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is steering at 27%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

3 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Looked at and set aside: airbags (7) — 7 airbag complaints on file, almost always a recall matter rather than a repair bill; have a dealer check this VIN for open airbag campaigns and confirm any were performed.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2015 Buick LaCrosse

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.

3.6L V6 timing chain wearMedium

Early GM 3.6L engines can stretch timing chains, especially with neglected oil; listen for rattle at cold start and check for codes.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$3,000 if affected

Source: not yet checked against public records.

eAssist mild-hybrid complexity (if equipped)Medium

The eAssist battery/system adds complexity and eventual cost; verify it functions.

Repair cost (estimate): $500-$2,000 if failed

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (10).

Electrical and infotainment gremlinsLow

IntelliLink and various modules can glitch.

Repair cost (estimate): $100-$600

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (10).

Electric power steering assist fades or cuts outHigh — wallet impact

This platform's electric power steering can lose assist intermittently — the wheel suddenly gets much heavier to turn, most noticeable at parking-lot speed — from a failing connector or steering control module. GM issued recalls for this exact failure on the closely related 2014 Impala and 2016 LaCrosse/Regal, all built on the same Epsilon II platform. Have the EPS system scan-tested and check whether this VIN falls under any related recall.

Repair cost (estimate): $600–$1,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (12).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Timing-chain rattle at cold start
✗eAssist warning lights
✗Neglected oil
✗Random electrical faults

Good Signs

✓Quiet V6 cold, documented oil service
✓Working eAssist (or the plain V6)
✓Clean, well-kept car