2014 Buick LaCrosse — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Sedan

2014 Buick LaCrosse

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $23,100–$28,762
Fuel Economy 15 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $3,500/yr
The 2014 Buick LaCrosse scores 6.8/10 at Carivo, ranking #1169 of 1310 sedans, with 5 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $3,500/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2014 Buick LaCrosse

Engine3.6L 6-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S6)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeGasoline or E85
City / Hwy MPG18 / 28 MPG
Combined MPG21 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$2,850
CO₂ Emissions422 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$23,100–$28,762

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2014 Buick LaCrosse

With an overall Carivo score of 6.8/10, the 2014 Buick LaCrosse earns a Good rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.7/10, while Performance at 6.3/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.6/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.7/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.3/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.0/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.

Priced from $23,100–$28,762, 15 MPG, seating 5, the Buick LaCrosse sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 12 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2014 Buick LaCrosse, but it needs the right buyer. Its value and reliability and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2014 Buick LaCrosse ranks #1169 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $23,100 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 16%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2014 Buick LaCrosse

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$17,500 ($3,500/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 5 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which LaCrosse Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2012 Buick LaCrosse scores 6.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2014's 6.8 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2014 (this review) 6.8/10$23,100
2013 6.9/10$22,110 Read review →
2012 6.8/10$21,120 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2014 Buick LaCrosse

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Broad dealer network supports easy servicing and parts availability

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 15 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2014 Buick LaCrosse (5 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Air bags / Frontal
08/09/2016 · 16V651000
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 ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet…
Air bags / Frontal
10/07/2017 · 17V437000
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 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade…
Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc
08/05/2014 · 14V240000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Lacrosse vehicles manufactured January 29, 2014, through March 31, 2014 and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured February 7, 2014, through March 31, 2014, and equipped with 17 inch…
Electrical system
12/06/2014 · 14V317000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick LaCrosse vehicles manufactured April 30, 2013, to September 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a wiring splice in the driver's door may corrode and break, resulting in the absence of an…
Power train / Automatic transmission
21/02/2014 · 14V092000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Own a 2014 Buick LaCrosse that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2014 Buick LaCrosse

Is the 2014 Buick LaCrosse reliable?

We rate the 2014 Buick LaCrosse's reliability 6.6/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2014 Buick LaCrosse have?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2014 Buick LaCrosse worth buying?

It scores 6.8/10 overall, ranking #1169 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 11% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2014 Buick LaCrosse cost?

The 2014 Buick LaCrosse starts at $23,100 and ranges up to $28,762 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which LaCrosse years should you avoid?

No standout weak years: across the 3 LaCrosse model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (6.9/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.

What problems does the 2014 Buick LaCrosse have?

The documented issues for the 2014 Buick LaCrosse are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system, Power train (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Buick LaCrosse

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Buick Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Buick models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.