BuickLaCrosse2015Overview/buick/lacrosse/2015/base/

2015 Buick LaCrosse

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 LaCrosse.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Buick LaCrosse is a passenger car equipped with an automatic (S6) transmission; its powertrain maintenance spec calls for 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 oil, and EPA ratings are 18 city, 28 highway, and 21 combined mpg. Owner-reported data records 44 total complaints for this model year, with steering as the top issue and three recalls on file. Against the 2005-2019 LaCrosse complaint history—where 2005 peaks at 314 complaints and 2019 bottoms out at 6—the 2015 model lands well below the run's highest volume and above its lowest, pointing to a moderate complaint profile rather than a standout problem year.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/28/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 525 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 47 · 525 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/50R17OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742 alt 12580255
Engine air filter55560894
Spark plug12681658 alt 12681660
Battery88866291 alt 88866116
Front wiper blades84574892 alt 84621343
Serpentine belt12639018 alt 12660099
Thermostat12622410 alt 03522676
Cabin air filter13503677

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length196.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3774 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 28 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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.

6.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2015 Premium II Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Premium II Sedan 3.6L V66.60 sec15.20 sec304 hpFWD
2014Premium I Sedan 3.6L V66.60 sec15.10 sec303 hpFWD
2014Premium I Sedan 3.6L V67.40 sec15.70 sec303 hpAWD
2017Premium Sedan 3.6L V65.80 sec14.40 sec310 hpAWD
2017Essence Sedan 3.6L V65.90 sec14.50 sec310 hpFWD
2017Premium Sedan 3.6L V66.10 sec14.60 sec310 hpFWD
2012Touring Sedan 3.6L V66.90 sec15.40 sec303 hpFWD
2012eAssist Premium I Sedan 2.4L I-4 + Elec 15-kW8.60 sec16.70 sec182 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 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 FluidDEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 88861003
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity0.981
Engine Coolant50
Engine Coolant Capacity10.1
Engine Coolant50
Engine Coolant Capacity7.5
Engine OilSAE 5W

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.3
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug37.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.030 - .035 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity24.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type12301108
Oil Capacity3.7 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance525 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)43-58 psi at idle psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-94
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)43-58 psi at idle psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-100
Engine Compression100 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111; Rear: 74 /; Front: 115 Tighten; Rear: 74 Plus
ABS Sensor Torque7 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 specification
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.070
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen bolts completely, Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 11022 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:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts:150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees150 degrees
3Outer bolts 26.0 ft. lbs.26 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 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 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · 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.

From 2005 to 2014 the Buick LaCrosse complaint count fell from a peak of 314 in 2005 to a low of 63 in 2014, while recalls fluctuated between 2 and 5 per year. In 2015 the complaint total dropped to 44, with 3 recalls and no investigations, which is lower than the 63 complaints and 5 recalls in 2014 and only slightly above the 46 complaints and 2 recalls seen in 2016. The technical service bulletin (TSB) count also continued its downward trajectory, decreasing from 1811 in 2014 to 1575 in 2015 and further to 1239 in 2016. The most frequently cited complaint areas for 2015 were Steering (10 reports), Electrical System (5), Unknown Or Other (4), and Air Bags (4); the data do not specify the underlying causes for these issues. Taken together, the comparatively low complaint and recall figures for the 2015 model year relative to both its predecessors and successors suggest it is a favorable year to consider when buying a used Buick LaCrosse.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1575
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
44
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 44 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering10
Electrical System5
Unknown Or Other4
Air Bags4
Service Brakes3
Exterior Lighting3
Power Train2
Fuel/Propulsion System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V651000Air Bags:FrontalReported 08/09/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed…

17V437000Air Bags:FrontalReported 10/07/2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1575 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIP61132026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 LaCrosse take?

5.0 qt of SAE 5W-30 engine oil approved to the dexos specification, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 LaCrosse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the LaCrosse get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined mpg.