BuickLaCrosse2018Overview/buick/lacrosse/2018/base/

2018 Buick LaCrosse

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 LaCrosse.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S9)

The 2018 Buick LaCrosse is a midsize passenger car built on Buick’s A-body platform, powered by an engine that requires 5.0 quarts of 5W‑20 API oil and paired with a nine‑speed automatic transmission. It achieves EPA‑rated fuel economy of 21 city, 30 highway, and 24 combined miles per gallon, reflecting its balanced performance and efficiency. In terms of reliability, the model year sits comfortably within Buick’s overall trend—while the 2005 model recorded the highest complaint volume (314), the 2019 model saw only six, and the 2018 LaCrosse’s 12 complaints—underscoring a gradual improvement in durability and customer satisfaction.

Model year201920182017201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/30/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. 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 94R · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/50R18; Avenir: P245/45R19OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377 alt 12731742
Engine air filter23451060 alt 23430312
Spark plug12646780 alt 12680074
Battery88866271
Front wiper blades26216539 alt 26216538
Serpentine belt12677037 alt 12677962
Thermostat12623519 alt 12647181
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S9)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.6 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase114.6 in
Curb weight3838 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 30 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 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.

5.6–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2018 Avenir Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018Avenir Sedan 3.6L V65.60 sec14.10 sec310 hpFWD
2018Avenir Sedan 3.6L V65.60 sec14.20 sec310 hpFWD
2018eAssist Premium Sedan 2.5L I-4 + Elec 0.5-kWh7.80 sec16.30 sec194 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
2015Premium II Sedan 3.6L V66.60 sec15.20 sec304 hpFWD
2014Premium I Sedan 3.6L V66.60 sec15.10 sec303 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-20 API engine oil, Synthetic · SAE 75W in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 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 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · SAE 75W
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity9.5
Engine Coolant Capacity9.5
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil Capacity4.00 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil Capacity2.65-3.00 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs.

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-100.0
RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-100.0
RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque30
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque30
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111 ft-lbs; Rear: 74 ft-lbs
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .984; Rear: 393
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .992; Rear: 402
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .984; Rear: 393

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Front: Step 1: 111, Step 2: Final pass tighten 15-30 degrees · Rear: Step 1: 74

2Final pass tighten 15-30
Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 185.0111 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 185.0111 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10022 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
145
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
2110.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2Back off 360 degrees360 degrees
318.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
4110.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150 degrees. Use new bolt.74 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil to contaminate cylinder head surface or head bolt bosses. · M11 Bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1M11 Bolts44 ft. lbs
2M11 Bolts185 degrees
3M8 Bolts11 ft. lbs
4Turn 75
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep AT

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
222.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
340.0 degrees; MT40 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
280.0 degrees80 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.8 ft. lbs.8.8 ft. lbs
28.8
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Lower crankcase crankshaft bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
2140 degrees; Lower crankcase perimeter bolts140 degrees
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
280 degrees; Outer bolts80 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
2110.0 degrees; Side bolts110 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260.0 degrees60 degrees

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)
At 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 45,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory 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.

The 2018 model year sits within the third generation’s launch cycle, showing a steep drop to just 12 owner complaints—down from 34 in the debut 2017 model year and preceding a further decline to six complaints in 2019—while carrying three recalls and zero federal investigations. This positions the 2018 model with the second-lowest complaint volume of any year in the record, as Technical Service Bulletins decreased to 989 from 1,202 the previous year, indicating the design was stabilizing quickly after its 2017 introduction. Federal records indicate zero crash-related and zero fire-related complaints for 2018, with the highest-volume grievances concentrated in Engine and Electrical System categories (three reports each), though the data does not specify underlying causes for these issues. Compared to the prior generation’s later years that saw 44-46 complaints annually, the 2018 demonstrates significantly lower owner-reported friction. With minimal safety complaints, declining service bulletin activity, and complaint volume trending downward toward the end of the production run, the 2018 LaCrosse represents a strong candidate for a used purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
989
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
0 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 12 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Engine3
Electrical System3
Power Train,Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Fuel System, Gasoline,Power Train1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V668000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 29/10/2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15…

18V576000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperReported 30/08/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 989 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

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 2018 LaCrosse take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API Meeting GM Dexos 1 specification, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 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 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.