BuickLaCrosse2016Overview/buick/lacrosse/2016/base/

2016 Buick LaCrosse

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 LaCrosse.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Buick LaCrosse is a passenger car that uses an engine requiring five quarts of 5W‑30 oil and is paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission, delivering EPA‑rated 18 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined. Its steering‑related complaints account for the majority of 46 total owner complaints, while only two recall actions have been recorded. In the model’s complaint history spanning 2005‑2019, the 2016 year sits near the low end, with complaint volume far below the 314 reported for 2005 and close to the 6 reported for 2019.

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 plug12681660 alt 12681658
Battery88866116 alt 88866309
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 weight3757 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.

5.6–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2018 Avenir Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Premium II Sedan 3.6L V66.60 sec15.20 sec304 hpFWD
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
2014Premium I Sedan 3.6L V66.60 sec15.10 sec303 hpFWD
2014Premium I Sedan 3.6L V67.40 sec15.70 sec303 hpAWD
2018Avenir Sedan 3.6L V65.60 sec14.10 sec310 hpFWD
2018Avenir Sedan 3.6L V65.60 sec14.20 sec310 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, Synthetic · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidDEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.5-6.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity0.981
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · SAE 75W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 qt
Engine CoolantDex Cool

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 Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.70 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

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
Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45 degrees, Step 3: 185.0111 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45 degrees, Step 3: 185.0111 ft. lbs
Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45 degrees, Step 3: 185.0111 ft. lbs
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
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 miEngine 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.

The 2016 Buick LaCrosse sits in a period of steady decline in complaints and recalls after a peak in 2005–2006, with 46 complaints and only 2 recalls, a sharp drop from 314 complaints and 5 recalls in 2005. Its recall count is lower than the 5 recalls seen in 2012 and 2013, indicating improved safety over the generation. Top complaint categories in 2016 are Steering (10), Power Train (4), Air Bags (4) and Unknown Or Other (3), with only 4 crash and 2 fire complaints, suggesting a relatively clean safety record. Compared to the 2015 year, which had 44 complaints and 3 recalls, 2016 offers a modest improvement, while the trend continues downward into 2017 and beyond. Overall, the 2016 model year is a solid purchase option, benefiting from the declining complaint trajectory and low recall count.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1239
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
46
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 2 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 46 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering10
Power Train4
Air Bags4
Unknown Or Other3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Air Bags,Seat Belts1
Fuel System, Gasoline,Power Train,Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 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 1239 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 2016 LaCrosse take?

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

Does the 2016 LaCrosse have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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.