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2011 Buick LaCrosse

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 LaCrosse.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2011 Buick LaCrosse is a passenger car whose routine powertrain maintenance centers on a 5-quart oil capacity at 5W-30 viscosity, placing it firmly within the mainstream of GM's front-drive sedan offerings for that era. In the broader arc of the model's complaint history spanning 2005 through 2019, this particular model year sits closer to the middle of the road than either extreme, accumulating 169 total owner complaints alongside 4 recalls — with suspension issues ranking as the top complaint area. That profile lands the 2011 well below the troubled 2005 model's peak of 314 complaints yet far above the 2019 model's low of just 6, suggesting a vehicle that has demonstrated moderate but noteworthy reliability concerns, particularly in suspension durability, for any prospective owner researching this model year.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque110 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 615 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 615 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP245-50R17OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731742 alt 12580255
Engine air filter	55560894
Spark plug	12681660 alt 12681658
Battery	88866271
Front wiper blades	84621343 alt 84574892
Serpentine belt	12636137 alt 12634319
Thermostat	03522676 alt 12622410
Cabin air filter	13503675 alt 13356914

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	196.9 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	59.1 in
Wheelbase	111.8 in
Curb weight	3818 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the LaCrosse of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.6–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2018 Avenir Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	6.40 sec	15.00 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	6.50 sec	15.20 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	6.60 sec	15.10 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	6.70 sec	15.30 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	7.40 sec	15.80 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CXS Sedan 3.6L V6	7.50 sec	15.90 sec	280 hp	FWD
2010	CX Sedan 2.4L I-4	9.10 sec	16.90 sec	182 hp	FWD
2012	Touring Sedan 3.6L V6	6.90 sec	15.40 sec	303 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 15.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.2-6.3
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	5.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	10 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	7.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	110 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	37.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.035 in
Spark Plug Torque	15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.26 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.70 oz
Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.26 lbs
Oil Group	PAG

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-100
RPM	43-58 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	50-100
RPM	43-58 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	1.9-2.3 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket	21 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 specification
Brake Application	WITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in / 0.003 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 0.905 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 0.905 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages

111 FT. LBS., STEP 2: 45 DEGREES, STEP 3: 15

111 FT. LBS

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 125

74 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 150

74 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	150 degrees; M8 Bolts:	150 degrees
1	11.0 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	75 degrees	75 degrees

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 16

7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 25,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across the Buick LaCrosse generation, federal complaints dropped significantly from early highs of 314 in 2005 to 106 in 2009, before entering a secondary fluctuation where complaints rose to 189 in 2010, dipped to 169 in 2011, and rose again to 204 in 2012. For the 2011 model specifically, this positions it in a localized complaint trough, though it saw a doubling of recalls to four compared to 2009 and 2010, alongside 1,641 technical service bulletins. While the data doesn't specify root causes, the 169 complaints are concentrated in the suspension (23), engine (14), and electrical system (13), with 15 crash and 1 fire complaint reported. This trend implies the 2011 model is a transitional vehicle—more stable than the high-complaint 2005-2008 era, but still carrying enough unresolved issues to prompt increased federal recall action. Consequently, while not the worst year, the 2011 LaCrosse is a mediocre choice; you would be better served seeking a 2013 or newer model, which drops to 128 complaints and benefits from further generational maturity.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1641

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

169

Owner complaints

15 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10’11’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 169 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension23

Engine14

Electrical System13

Power Train9

Visibility/Wiper8

Air Bags8

Seats7

Service Brakes6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V764000Suspension:RearReported 21/12/2020

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an…

21V00F000Suspension:RearReported 22/12/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois… Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1641 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP6113	2026-05-18	Unknown Or Other	This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q	2026-04-01	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP6104	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V	2026-03-09	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U	2026-01-08	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific LaCrosse. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt Engine oil filter 12731742 Engine air filter 55560894 Spark plug 12681660 Battery 88866271

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 LaCrosse take?

5 qt of 5W-30 MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 LaCrosse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.