- The problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse, 2012-2013 Buick Regal, and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received an improper amount of electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately fracture.
- The risk
- A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
Vehicle safety record
2012 Buick Lacrosse Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 207 complaints about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (63) and the engine & cooling (52). Those complaints describe 10 crashes, 4 fires and 5 injuries. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in December 2021 for the rear. For comparison, the 2011 has 169 and the 2013 has 130.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Lacrosse year, for its age
#64 most complained-about 2012 vehicle
- Complaints
- 207
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 10
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 5
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2012 Buick Lacrosse problems
Share of all 207 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2012 Buick Lacrosse recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Buick Regal, 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2010-2013 Buick Lacrosse vehicles sold or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin. These vehicles may have rear toe links that received excessive electrocoating (e-coat) corrosion protection, which could cause the e-coat to become brittle and break away when contacted by road debris. Over time, the e-coat may chip away, exposing the metal toe link and making it more susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion may eventually cause the toe link to thin and ultimately to fracture.
- The risk
- A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
- The problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
- The risk
- If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
- The problem
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Buick LaCrosse and Regal, and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco vehicles equipped with eAssist. These vehicles may have a condition in which the Generator Control Module (GCM) may not function properly. This could cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light.
- The risk
- If the vehicle is continued to be driven, the engine may stall and/or the vehicle may not start. In addition, there may be a burning or melting odor, smoke, and possibly a fire in the trunk.
- The fix
- GM will notify owners and dealers will test the GCM and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13136.
- The problem
- Gm is recalling certain model year 2012 buick lacrosse passenger vehicles manufactured from june 9, 2011, through july 2, 2011, for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 126, "Electronic stability control systems (esc)." The stabilitrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the safety standard.
- The risk
- The improper diagnosing may cause the esc to falsely activate, resulting in sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds, which may cause the driver difficulty in maintaining the vehicle's desired path of travel and desired vehicle speed, and could result in a crash without warning.
- The fix
- Gm dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module free of charge. The safety recall began on september 12, 2011. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080.
What owners say
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207 complaints about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 9.
13136 recall issued on [redacted] was visually inspected by [[redacted]] Chevrolet Pleasant Hill Iowa on 7/10/13. With the statement no further action required .Diagnostic inspection done by Thompson Buick Springfield [[redacted]] [redacted] the following codes flagged.B1517,P0606,P0700,P0AC4,P0BE6,P0BEE,P0C0B,U0140,U0293,U1817 The vehicle is owned by my wife's aunt a [[redacted]] widow the car is a critical Lifeline used by her niece to drive a 2.5 hour highway route from [[redacted]] to [[redacted]] where her...
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aunt resides in a nursing home. On a return trip to [[redacted]]. The vehicle experienced catastrophic shut down power windows failed , air conditioner quit functioning and a mile of home the car lost power steering. Because recall inspection was done one month after the recall roll out [redacted] and then recall inspection was done [redacted] was a visual inspection that did not replace the known to be ,a future failure point part. After the catastrophic shut down, we took the vehicle to Thompson Buick [[redacted]]. To have a diagnostic service done which showed Parts noted in the original recall had failed the dealership was unable to do anything because the recall showed no further action completed . Service manager contacted GM representative who stated GM declined the request because the vehicle is outside the age and mileage guidelines for repair assistance GM does not allow for assistance Beyond 7 years or 50,000 miles Beyond warranty and service date. I believe this is taken out of context and the recall should be reviewed because the inspection was not adequate to solve the initial problem noted in the recall. There have been several changes to this recall to facilitate a review. But they have refused to have any other statement. All check engine lights activated. This misinterpreted recall failure has put an elderly patient and her caregiver in possible fatal conditions as well as innocent drivers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
**Subject:** Formal Safety Defect Complaint: Premature Failure of Completed Recall Remedy (NHTSA Campaign 13V173000 / GM Recall 13136) Resulting in Sudden Loss of Power Steering **VEHICLE INFORMATION** * **Year/Make/Model:** 2012 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid (eAssist) * **VIN:** [[redacted]] * **Current Mileage:** [Insert Current Mileage] **DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY DEFECT & INCIDENT** This vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign 13V173000 to resolve an inherent defect in the Generator Control Module (GCM)...
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that presents a severe stalling and trunk fire risk. On 9-9-26, under normal driving conditions in ambient temperatures of approximately 95°F and after covering a distance of 10 miles, the manufacturer-installed remedy component suffered a premature, catastrophic thermal failure. The replacement GCM ceased regulating and delivering power to the vehicle's 12-volt system. The resulting critical voltage drop forced the vehicle into an emergency load-shedding protocol, abruptly disabling the air conditioning system. Shortly thereafter, the severe drop in operating voltage caused a total, sudden failure of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) while the vehicle was actively in motion. The driver was forced to navigate a heavy vehicle entirely without steering assistance, causing an immediate, severe collision hazard. Battery warning symbol activated. I have not taken it to the dealership because of the recall status. **REASON FOR ADVANCED ESCALATION** While the vehicle's VIN status officially shows "No Incomplete Recalls" because the campaign was previously executed, the remedy part provided by the manufacturer has failed in the exact same manner as the original defective component. By failing prematurely, the safety risk mandated to be fixed by federal law has been completely reintroduced. REQUESTED ACTIONS Manufacturer-Covered Remedy: A goodwill replacement of the failed Generator Control Module and associated diagnostics at no cost to the owner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Shows service stability track
I was driving my car the engine turned off by itself everything locked up when i stop i tried to start it again and it just clicked, I thought it was the battery got a new battery started up drove it about a half mile did it again turned off everything locked up
I was driving my car the engine turned off by itself everything locked up when i stop i tried to start it again and it just clicked, I thought it was the battery got a new battery started up drove it about a half mile did it again turned off everything locked up
2012 Buick LaCrosse V6 (Fairfax Plant). The vehicle suffered a sudden, complete loss of engine power and forward propulsion while traveling at highway speed, cutting off mid-drive with no warning. This occurred alongside a persistent StabiliTrak malfunction; the dash showed repeated "Service StabiliTrak" warnings before the failure, then turned bright orange with multiple warning lights and a message instructing me to activate my turn signal and pull over before RPMs dropped to zero. Because power cut out...
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instantly, my [[redacted]] son (passenger) and I were trapped in the center lane of a dense, multi-lane highway. I was forced to dodge high-speed traffic and coast the dead vehicle across multiple active lanes to reach the shoulder, creating an imminent collision risk to us and other drivers. We were then stranded on the narrow shoulder awaiting a tow, with traffic passing within feet at highway speed. Both my son and I have CMT2A (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), a neuromuscular disability limiting mobility; we were incapable of quickly evacuating the vehicle or reaching safety up the embankment, leaving us trapped in a highly dangerous position. No official inspection or diagnosis has been performed yet. My dash displayed the same "Service StabiliTrak" warning referenced in NHTSA Campaign 11V404000, though my VIN was excluded from that recall, and my failure went beyond the handling/deceleration issue described in that recall to a complete loss of propulsion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Subject: Complaint Regarding Improper Handling of Safety Recall Repair Hello, I would like to file an official complaint regarding a dealership that failed to properly follow required procedures for a federally mandated safety recall repair on my vehicle. Vehicle Information: • Year/Make/Model: 2012 Buick Lacrosse • VIN: [[redacted]] • Recall Number (if known): Dealership Information: • Dealership Name: Castle Buick • Location: 7400 Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546 • Date of Service Attempt: May 2026 Details...
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of the Issue: The dealership did not follow the proper safety recall repair guidelines as required under federal regulations. Despite the recall requiring specific corrective actions to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate, the dealer either: • failed to perform the full recall procedure, • refused or delayed the repair without a valid reason, or • returned the vehicle without completing required steps to ensure safety (such as proper inspection, adjustment, or alignment). This violates my rights as a vehicle owner, as federal law requires manufacturers and authorized dealers to correct safety-related defects at no cost and in full compliance with recall instructions. I am requesting NHTSA's assistance in ensuring that the recall is properly completed and that the dealership's non-compliance is investigated. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of others on the road. Contact Information: • Name: [[[redacted]]] • Phone: [[[redacted]]] • Email: [[[redacted]]] Thank you for your attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
There is a know water leak issues with GM. The below is the tsb, Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #16-NA-073. This is a safety issues because if your not aware it could lead to mold in your car. I noticed my issue about 3 weeks ago when my floor board was flooded. I can tell by how the carpet looks its been leaking for a while. I would like this to be further looked into. This is a know issues and the dealership should be responsible for repairs. This is also going to be a costly repair
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle shut off in the middle of the roadway and the vehicle failed to restart. A bystander advised the contact to press the alarm button twice to restart the vehicle. The contact followed the advice of the bystander, and the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, where an unknown diagnosis was made. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where an unknown repair was performed;...
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however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer on several occasions. The dealer replaced the motor mounts, the engine oil, and other unknown parts; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
The break pedal sticks down during high temperatures ( generally during summer months especially when park outside in the sun and high humidity) and causes the brakes to drag and the break pedal doesn't come up by itself! Also the brake lights stay on. It is very dangerous to drive on this condition. I just want theNHTSA to be aware of this and I have seen a lot of complaints on line I contacted gm and no response! It should be a recall for this! Please, help us with problem
All the specific details are unknown, but I had a mechanic work on my car and the problem that he had to fix. He stated that it should've been detected, but it was something wrong with my car, letting me know that I had the problem and also I have to keep replacing my camshaft timing Solenoid my car keeps giving me error codes P0011 and P0128
during a regular drive the check stabiltrack system message popped up on the dash in the middle circle and then the little car with the squiggly lines behind it popped up and the check engine light came on and started blinking. Immediately I noticed lack of steering control, the car's speed was accelerating and decelerating on its own, jerking and stalling also was observed. As of now the car sits in my driveway because I don't trust the safety of it. I literally feared my life was in danger driving it because of...
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the lack of handling and the acceleration shifts that were so random. So I returned home, as I pulled into the yard the vehicle jerked hard while I was attempting turn into the driveway causing me to hit my mailbox and damaged the side fender and front bumper. no one was injured but the car was damaged as stated before and I'm scared to drive it anywhere. The unpredictable behavior displayed in the vehicle puts other drivers at risk as well because I can't control the vehicle properly. so I'm guessing all in all its a malfunction somewhere in the electrical system. I have read about recalls in my type of vehicle involving the ESC and it appears to be what is happening with mine. As of now it sits in my driveway I need a remedy and fast because that was my only source of transportation and I'm a single mother of four with a lot to take of and no way to do it.
My 2012 Buick Lacrosse had a recall for Loss control generator control module, The recall was fixed, but recently my car shut off in the middle of the highway for the same issue. The vehicle was towed to the GM Buick Dealer and they quoted me $7, 525.00 for the part because it is an after market part and maybe currently unavailable. This is a safety issue and I could have been hurt. The car has malfunctioned due there recall issue and I feel they should fix the issue as they did before or issue me a newer vehicle. Please help me
Improperly calibrated Stabilitrak ESC system. Accelerator pedal position sensors 1-2 5v reference 3 circuit Heated oxygen 2 sensor Car is losing power and esc light is on along with check engine light
I'm experiencing issues that seem to align with the gcm recall despite my vehicle supposedly being fixed for this recall prior to my purchase of it. I cannot run the heat with the headlights or various combinations of things that would otherwise be normal because the battery will drain within 30 minutes, resulting in the car to going into "battery saver mode" where each system begins to power off one by one which ends with the car losing speed and just turning off and not turning back on. I've been stuck and had to...
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jump it more times than I can possibly count due to it not starting or going in the battery saver mode. I've noticed a weird odor that smells like burning wires. I've owned this car for 3 years and have had these same problems with it since the day I bought it. I'm at the point now where I don't even drive it unless absolutely necessary because I'm afraid it will shut down or cause an accident. The power steering is always first to shut down and on various occasions, I almost hit someone or something trying to steer off the road. I chose todays date as the "incident occur" date but this has been an ongoing issue since the purchase.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's and driver's seat air bags and the front passenger's and driver's door air bags deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The vehicle as taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed yet. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
I was not in a car accident! Hoping not to be just want to report this issue.Car kills in mid driving stability track comes on flashing checking engine with stability light and track system light as well! leaves me stranded in the middle of wherever I am! Stability light comes on car will not start back up . It's takes a while to start back up! Having kids in the car with this issue is a major problem! I have several videos of the car doing it and will try to keep track of it! The check engine light is not on when...
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flashing not reads when I check it just stability lights! The car has been doing this for months now! I've read that this is an issue with other Buicks like mines. Please help get this issue resolved the proper way! Also the security comes on when the car does that
I purchased this car 1 year ago with 121,460 miles, within the first week I had to buy new tires and replace the wipers,now I have to replace the alternator all of this is within a year. I just got the estimate for the alternator which is over 700.00 which I don't have.
My 2012 Buick lacrosse died while driving putting me and my children at risk. Vehicle was then jumped but battery voltage kept decreasing. It says service batter charging. Took to mechanic they said all electric components say low voltage then had battery replaced to see if that would fix it but it did not and I was told it would need to go to dealership to have all parts replaced which is 4k+. Did research and it may relate to the electrical recall made on the cars in 2013.
while driving the Electronic Stability Control warning light comes on and the car loses power.
While driving, the STABILITRAK indicator lighted and the car began to flash multiple warnings, loss of steering ability, electrical anomalies, and eventual shut-off. This happened while on a major interstate highway, jeopardizing the life of the driver and other drivers. This happened on multiple occasions within two days. The vehicle was towed to a service center, who had difficulty determining the cause. The service center suggested transferring the vehicle to an authorized GM dealership. Similar incidents have been reported by other owners on this website. This should be investigated immediately.
Hello my car is stalling out and the stabilìtrak lights comes on with trak symbol. Car does not crank back up until the next day.. it keeps doing this after several days. Im scared to drive this car with the stalling when driving it... PLEASE help me fix this problem.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the park assists, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the RPM was elevated. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring and persistent for several years; however, the dealer had not been able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a severe electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The stabilitrak system has an incorrect calibration that may cause the system to not properly detect if a sensor were to malfunction, and the warning light indicating that the system is not operating would not illuminate, as required in the safety standard. The stabilitrak system falsely activates resulting in sudden changes in vehicle handling and deceleration, particularly at higher speeds, which may cause the driver difficulty in maintaining the vehicle's desired path of travel and desired vehicle speed, and could result in a crash without warning.
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and shutoff independently. The stabili-trak warning light was flashing after the failure had occurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the failure was not covered under a recall. There was no assistance provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V404000 (Electronic Stability Control). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Buick Lacrosse: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 48 | 2 | A |
| 2015 | 44 | 3 | A |
| 2014 | 63 | 5 | B |
| 2013 | 130 | 5 | C |
| 2012 | 207 | 5 | D |
| 2011 | 169 | 4 | C |
| 2010 | 189 | 2 | D |
| 2009 | 106 | 2 | B |
| 2008 | 251 | 2 | D |
2012 Buick Lacrosse vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Buick Lacrosse | 207 | 5 | D | |
| 2012 Buick Enclave | 133 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2012 Buick Verano | 106 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2012 Buick Regal | 92 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Buick Regal Eassist | 90 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Buick Lacrosse Eassist | 3 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse
Does the 2012 Buick Lacrosse have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Buick Lacrosse: rear (December 2021); rear (December 2020); power adjust (July 2014); electrical system (May 2013) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Buick Lacrosse?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (63), engine & cooling (52), suspension (31).
How many complaints has the 2012 Buick Lacrosse had?
207 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 22, 2011 and the latest on November 9, 2026. Of these, 10 describe a crash and 4 a fire, and together they report 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2012 Buick Lacrosse a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 37 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Buick Lacrosse year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Buick Lacrosse years have the most complaints?
2005 (315), 2006 (300), 2008 (251). See every Buick Lacrosse year compared.
What should I do if my 2012 Buick Lacrosse has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data