Service bulletins for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
1830 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
By topic
| PIP5216C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or squeal from the engine. Technician will inspect the oil control solenoids for metal debris. Also inspect for damage to the cam caps Journals and camshaft journals on the heads. The check the timing chain idler sprockets for stiffness when turning. If any of these instances would be a cause to replace the engine instead of repair. |
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| PIC3100E | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle's odometer appears to be inaccurate relative to a known distance traveled. Technician should obtain a hand-held GPS unit to test the odometer. If a hand held GPS unit is not available, the only other option is to verify the miles traveled using a surveyor's wheel or a dynamometer. |
| PIP5216B | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or squeal from the engine. Technician will inspect the oil control solenoids for metal debris. Also inspect for damage to the cam caps Journals and camshaft journals on the heads. The check the timing chain idler sprockets for stiffness when turning. If any of these instances would be a cause to replace the engine instead of repair. |
| PIC5650B | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies. |
| PIC6107 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about being unable to receive OnStar ?Over The Air? updates. Technician will need to press the OnStar button and verify they have an active account and that the call connects with data and location. |
| PIT4610E | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that First Responder Guides for General Motors vehicles can be accessed via the web at http://www.gmstc.com. |
| PIT5214A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION; TIRES. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts are being performed on customer?s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. |
| PIT5384A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have the OnStar wireless fidelity inoperative. Technician will need to contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center with a scan tool connect to the vehicle for further assistance. |
| PIP5216A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or squeal from the engine. Technician will inspect the oil control solenoids for metal debris. Also inspect for damage to the cam caps Journals and camshaft journals on the heads. The check the timing chain idler sprockets for stiffness when turning. If any of these instances would be a cause to replace the engine instead of repair. |
| PIT5236D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. Technician will use Global Diagnostic System 2 to review the Firmware Over-the-Air version. If the Firmware Over-the-Air version on the scan tool equals 6708 the technician will need to contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance. If the Firmware Over-the-Air version on the scan tool is lower than 6708 Dealer can order the part thought the Instrument Sales and Service website process. |
| PIC5611D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the rear view camera options on the vehicles equipped with rear view camera. The rear view camera brightness can be adjusted on some models while the transmission is in reverse and using the Menu or Select button. To turn off or on the guidelines in the rear view camera, use the radio display Config icon then Display, then the guidelines option. |
| PIP5257A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have oil mixed in with the engine coolant. Technician will need to inspect the oil cooler if equipped for possible leaking into the cooling system through the radiator. If no issue found replace the engine as well as all rubber coolant hoses. |
| PIT5353A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about what XM offerings are available for vehicles. A dealer or customer can access the website listed below for vehicle specific XM offerings and availability. |
| PIP4993C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a Service Charging System, Battery Saver message Or Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, and/or charging system inoperative. Technician will use Global Diagnostic System 2 and clear the Diagnostic Trouble Codes in the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module and the Battery Energy Control Module. Then turn the ignition off for a minimum of 2 minutes to allow the high speed local area network and powertrain expansion bus to power down. Start the car and monitor the charging system voltage. If the charging system is still inoperative there may be a logic lock condition. Disconnect the 12V battery and perform a Global Capacitive Discharge and repeat steps again. |
| PIC5656E | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have driver and passenger temperatures settings are displayed in Celsius or the outside ambient temperature is missing from the radio / Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning display. Technician will need to use a scan tool to check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes in the Instrument Panel Cluster. If Diagnostic Trouble Code B0158 outside air temperature display malfunction is set check that the outside ambient temperature sensor is connected. If the sensor is connected, check the integrity of circuits 61 and 636 from sensor to the Instrument Panel Cluster or diagnose B0158 per published Service Information. |
| PIT4943D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0442. Technician will need to review Techlink article from May 2013 titled "Using the Evaporative Emissions System Tester" Technician will need to follow these steps to help diagnose the issue. First after the P0442 has been verified do not disturb any of the fuel system components. The technician now can use the scan tool to close the Evaporative Emissions System. If possible change the tank pressure sensor units from inch_H2O to milimeter_Hg for better resolution. Now the vehicle can be stared to monitor the tank pressure sensor output value for approximately two minutes. If the tank pressure sensor value does change, pressurize the fuel tank side of the purge solenoid with the GE 41413-A / J 41413-A and the necessary adaptors. Now add smoke and allow pressure to stabilize for 2 minutes. If smoke is allowed to pass through the purge solenoid, replace the purge solenoid. If the tank pressure sensor value does not change, then install CH-48096 adaptor between the purge line from the canister and the purge solenoid. With the Evaporative Emissions System closed, pressurize the system through the CH-48096 adaptor and allow the system to completely stabilize, by observing the Press / Vac Gauge for a minimum of 5 minutes. Now add smoke to the system with GE 41413-A / J 41413-A after system stabilization. Now inspect the purge solenoid, engine side, fuel cap, canister vent solenoid filter and any line quick connects. When the leak is unable to be located, test under a vacuum condition. his type of leak may be detected by using the scan tool Purge/Seal function to create a vacuum in the Evaporative Emissions System and then observe the FTP sensor parameter for vacuum decay. |
| PIP4548E | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician what to inspect if codes P0016 and/or P0017 are setting on a properly timed engine or a condition of the vehicle cranks but will not start. Technician should inspect the respective intake or exhaust camshaft reluctor to see if it has spun on the camshaft. The reluctor cannot be repositioned so the camshaft must be replaced. The new camshafts come with the reluctor already pressed on in the correct position. |
| PIP5216D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or squeal from the engine. Technician will inspect the oil control solenoids for metal debris. Also inspect for damage to the cam caps Journals and camshaft journals on the heads. The check the timing chain idler sprockets for stiffness when turning. If any of these instances would be a cause to replace the engine instead of repair. |
| PIP3423M | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008 or P0009 may be set. Technician will need to inspect for loose timing chains or tensioners. If after following Service Information diagnostics the root cause is not found inspect the reluctor for the crankshaft sensor. If the reluctor has moved then replace crankshaft. |
| PIP4919E | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have black smoke on a cold start. A dual-pulse injection strategy is utilized during engine cold start to reduce the time required to bring the catalytic converter up to operating temperature. This split injection strategy lasts for about 60 seconds on cold start. This process may cause the customer to see increased black smoke during cold start and should be considered normal. |
| PIC5953B | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work with the customer to insure the phone contacts to not have any Emojis loaded to any contact. |
| PIC5520R | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the eAssist Drive Motor Generator Battery Powerpack has been place on parts restriction by General Motors Technical Assistance Center. Dealer will need to contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance. |
| PIP5338 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vibration complaints that are one of the most challenging complaints to accurately diagnose and repair. Technician will need to use Pico Oscilloscope Diagnostic Kit to effectively diagnosis vehicles. Technician should drive the vehicle will using the Pico Oscilloscope to record data. After the data is recorded it should be reviewed to determine the root cause of the concern. If a repair attempt made the concern better but not eliminated or had no affect at all, and are requesting assistance from General Motors Technical Assistance Center record another Pico file and save it to the computer. After the new Pico Oscilloscope data has been saved email the data to General Motors Technical Assistance Center in the subject line include ?Vibration? ?Business Associate Code? and the last 8 of the Vehicle Identification Number. |
| PIP5095C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon and may also have an oil or coolant leak. Technician may find coolant or oil in a spark plug tube. If the Spark Plug Tube is leaking and it is determined that the oil or coolant is not coming from a leak above the spark plug then replace the cylinder Head, spark plug and coil. |
| PIP3423L | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008 or P0009 may be set. Technician will need to inspect for loose timing chains or tensioners. If after following Service Information diagnostics the root cause is not found inspect the reluctor for the crankshaft sensor. If the reluctor has moved then replace crankshaft. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.