Buyer Research

2016 Buick LaCrosse — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $10,000–$16,000. There are 2 high-severity known issues you need to know before handing over a check.

Kestrel Take

Near-luxury quiet for mid-market money, because the badge scares off buyers under sixty. Mechanically it's an Impala in a nicer suit. The eAssist mild-hybrid trim adds a battery pack you do not want to replace — check which one you're looking at.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 48 owner complaints for the 2016 Buick LaCrosse, across 2 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 25%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

2 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 (6) — 6 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 2016 Buick LaCrosse

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

eAssist mild-hybrid battery pack failureHigh — wallet impact

The small lithium pack behind the rear seat degrades and throws service messages. Replacement is expensive relative to the car and the parts supply is thin.

Repair cost (estimate): $2,000-$3,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (7), the engine (4), electrics and electronics (3).

3.6L V6 timing chain wearMedium

Same LFX family concern as other GM products — neglected oil changes stretch the chain.

Repair cost (estimate): $1,500-$2,800

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the engine (4).

HVAC actuator failureMedium

Clicking behind the dash and one side blowing the wrong temperature. Labor-heavy because the dash comes apart.

Repair cost (estimate): $400-$1,100

Source: not yet checked against public records.

IntelliLink infotainment failuresLow

Screen delamination and unresponsive touch areas on higher-mileage cars.

Repair cost (estimate): $400-$1,000

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (3).

Electric power steering connector fails, steering gets heavyHigh — wallet impact

On some units the electric power steering connector wasn't properly sealed, letting water in and corroding the connection — steering assist fades or cuts out, and the wheel suddenly gets much heavier to turn, especially at low speed. GM recalled affected 2016 LaCrosse units built August–November 2016 to reseal or replace the connector. Confirm the recall was completed on this VIN.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under steering (12).

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗eAssist badge with any battery warning message
✗Cold start rattle
✗Clicking from behind the dashboard
✗Deferred oil changes on a chain-driven V6

Good Signs

✓Non-hybrid 3.6L V6
✓Low mileage, garage-kept, older original owner
✓Full GM dealer maintenance history

Found a specific Buick LaCrosse?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Buick LaCrosse in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

Get My Verdict — $7.99

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Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

Other Buick LaCrosse years

2015 Buick LaCrosse

$10,000–$15,000