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2012 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Buick Lacrosse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

138 reports with mileage · 67 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

61 reports
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100,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringInjury

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO MY HOUSE AN MY CAR STARTED ACTING FUNNY. WHILE DRIVING RANDOMLY 2 LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST AND SERVICE STABILI TRACK. IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND IT CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I CUT IT …

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO MY HOUSE AN MY CAR STARTED ACTING FUNNY. WHILE DRIVING RANDOMLY 2 LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST AND SERVICE STABILI TRACK. IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND IT CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I CUT IT BACK ON IT HAD THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS; SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, SERVICE STABILI TRACK. I ALMOST DIED AND MY GIRL HAD TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK FOR ME TO GET HOME AND I WAS RIGHT UP THE STREET. I FEEL LIKE IT DANGEROUS AND WHEN I TOLD GMC THEY SAID ITS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT IS SEVERAL RECALLS WITH VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE THAT ARE THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. MY CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET ALL THE THINGS FIXED THAT WERE RECALLS. I AM IMMOBILE AND IT IS CAUSING HARM TO ME FINANCIALLY. I TRUSTED GMC AND I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD DO RIGHT BY CONSUMERS.

NHTSA ODI #11407161

122,000 miles · Mar 11, 2021
Electrical SystemCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY CRASHING INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO LOCAL DEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY CRASHING INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.

NHTSA ODI #11400342

122,000 miles · Mar 11, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WHILE GOING AROUND CURVES THE ENGINE LOST POWER SEVERAL TIME. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, POWER STEERING FAILED, POWER BRAKES FAILED AND ENGINE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN AFTER A FEW SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI #11400310

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2021
Electrical System

MY VEHICLE KEEPS DYING AND MECHANIC SAID THAT ITS MY GENERATOR CONTROL I SEE THIS YEAR HAS RECALL BUT WHY IS MY VEHICLE NOT COVERED, STARTED HAPPING MONTHS AGO

NHTSA ODI #11395703

34,800 miles · Nov 12, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE LOW BATTERY SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON HIS OWN INSPECTION, HE ATTACHED THE VEHICLE TO A CODE READER AND NO DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE LOW BATTERY SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON HIS OWN INSPECTION, HE ATTACHED THE VEHICLE TO A CODE READER AND NO DEFECTS WERE DISCOVERED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,800.

NHTSA ODI #11374253

150,460 miles · Sep 15, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT BOOSTED THE BATTERY AND DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT BOOSTED THE BATTERY AND DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN WITH THE SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER BOYFRIEND'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN ELECTRICAL WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED 2 WEEKS LATER, THE SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER HILEY BUICK GMC OF FORT WORTH LOCATED AT 3535 W LOOP 820 S, FORT WORTH, TX 76116, (817) 349-6235, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A GENERATOR MODULE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,460.

NHTSA ODI #11355222

43,000 miles · Sep 11, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 20 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND THE SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. A FEW MINUTES LATER AS I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING LOT AT WORK THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND A MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SEEN THAT THE ENGINE WAS HYDRO-LOCK…

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WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT 20 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND THE SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. A FEW MINUTES LATER AS I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING LOT AT WORK THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND A MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SEEN THAT THE ENGINE WAS HYDRO-LOCKED WHICH HE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK. AFTER CHECKING THE SPARK PLUGS, COILS, VALVE COVER, TIMING, OIL, COOLANT, ALTERNATOR, STARTER, BATTERY, FUSE BLOCK AND WIRING HARNESS, THE PLUGS NEEDED REPLACED, THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL AND SOME TYPE OF FLUID IN SOME OF THE SENSOR PLUGS ON THE MOTOR. AFTER REPLACING THE PLUGS AND OIL AND OIL FILTER AND CLEANING OTHER COMPONENTS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE STORE AND THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM AND SERVICE STABILITY TRAK I STOPPED AT AUTOZONE TO HAVE THEM SCAN THE ENGINE AND THE CODE CAME BACK WITH MALFUNCTION WITH SPARK PLUG #3 SO I BOUGHT A NEW PLUG AND ON THE WAY HOME ABOUT 10 MINS AFTER LEAVING AUTOZONE THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC CAME AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TO RESTART AND GET IT BACK HOME WHICH WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS. AFTER DOING ANOTHER TUNEUP AND GETTING IT TO DRIVE AGAIN 2 BLOCKS FROM MY PLACE A ROD WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE FRONT BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH THEN REQUIRED FOR A NEW ENGINE. I CALLED GM, BUICK, THE CAR LOT I GOT THE CAR FROM AND EVERYONE SAID THERE WAS NO LONGER A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE SO THE ONLY CHOICE I WOULD HAVE WAS TO PAY $10,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE NOT INCLUDING LABOR PRICE. MY CAR INSURANCE DIDN'T COVER MECHANICAL FAILURES EITHER SO I WAS STUCK WITH A $30,000 CAR THAT WASN'T DRIVABLE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JAN. 2015 WITH 31,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS HAPPENED IN NOV 2015 WITH 40 SOME THOUSAND MILES ON IT. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS KEPT UP TO DATE ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11354395

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET CHARLESTON (1500 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V17…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVROLET CHARLESTON (1500 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THAT THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE STARTER. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED DESPITE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE WHICH THE CONTACT LINKED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT SPOKE TO A SERVICE MANAGER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART ON HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11348701

70,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Electrical System

CAR RUNS FOR 10 - 15 MINUTES THEN JUST TURNS OF , WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND IT TURNS BACK ON LIKE AS NOTHING HAPPENED THEN IT TURNS OFF AGAIN DOES SAME THING ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON FOR A MINUTE OR TWO THEN TURNS OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11269882

106,000 miles · Sep 27, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSES NEWEST PROBLEM IS ONE THAT ACTUALLY SCARES ME. I CAN BE DRIVING ALONG AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND IT WILL KINDA JERK A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN USUALLY IT WILL FLASH 'SERVICE THE STABILITY TRACK' THEN I LOSE POWER STEERING AND IT DIES. I'M LUCKY IF I CAN MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND…

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MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSES NEWEST PROBLEM IS ONE THAT ACTUALLY SCARES ME. I CAN BE DRIVING ALONG AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND IT WILL KINDA JERK A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN USUALLY IT WILL FLASH 'SERVICE THE STABILITY TRACK' THEN I LOSE POWER STEERING AND IT DIES. I'M LUCKY IF I CAN MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND THE HIGHWAYS AROUND HERE ARE TWO LANE WITH MINIMUM SHOULDERS. SO WHEN THE CAR DOES THIS IT IS DANGEROUS. IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES NOW. IT WILL RESTART AFTER ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES AND DRIVE JUST FINE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AND NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE COMPUTER, EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD. BUT ITS NOT, THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST OF THE PROBLEMS I'VE EXPERIENCED WITH THIS CAR AND THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW.

NHTSA ODI #11258473

Official recalls

5

21V00F000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 22, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

20V764000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 21, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

14V447000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 23, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

13V173000 · Electrical System

May 6, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

11V404000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc)

Aug 3, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ14001 · Sands Chevrolet/hybrid System Fire/stall

Opened May 2, 2014 · Closed May 22, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ?? 30112(a), 30120(i)).NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Sands Chevrolet on May 5, 2014.Sands Chevrolet responded to this request on May 22, 2014.To ensure NHTSA?s information request encompassed all possible reference codes for General Motors recall 13V-173, NHTSA issued another IR letter to Sands Chevrolet on June 8, 2015.Again, a response letter was received on June 9, 2015.NHTSA?s investigation indicated that Sands Chevrolet did sell and deliver recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Sands Chevrolet was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated March 24, 2016, Sands Chevrolet represented that it improved its processes to verify that it checks every vehicle for recalls prior to delivery to the purchaser and that it has not sold and delivered any unremedied new motor vehicles since June 9, 2015.Sands Chevrolet also represented that it now also checks for open recalls on every customer vehicle brought in for service, and that it checks for open recalls on every used trade-in vehicle, regardless of make or model, and takes steps to have all used trade-in vehicles repaired prior to retail sale. Sands Chevrolet admitted to violating the law and must pay civil penalties in the amount of $40,000.This Audit Query is closed.

RQ13003 · Generator Control Module Fires

Opened Jul 5, 2013 · Closed Jul 22, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the Generator Control Module (GCM) in certain model year (MY) 2012-13 Buick LaCrosse and Regal and MY 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco equipped with eAssist.This condition may result in a loss of battery charge, engine stall and/or inability for the vehicle to start.In severe cases it may also lead to odor, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk.During discussions with General Motors (GM), ODI was informed that the subject vehicles could be separated into 4 distinct build populations, or groups. Group A contained vehicles built from the start of production through 3/19/2012.Group B involved vehicles built from 3/20/2012 to 8/20/2012, group C from 8/21/2012 to 12/31/12, and group D from 1/1/2013 onwards.Bulletin 13136 instructed dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the GCM for vehicles in groups A or C.Bulletin 13142 instructed dealers to replace the GCM of any vehicle in group B.Group D vehicles were not recalled.All eAssist vehicles have a Powerpack which contains a BAS (belt alternator-starter) Power Inverter Module (BPIM)/Accessory Power Module (APM) and a 115-V Lithium-Ion battery.The Powerpack is known by GM's Part Description System as the GCM and Battery Module. The BPIM/APM contains 3 multi-layered printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprised of conductive layers separated by isolating layers.Vehicles built within the time periods of groups A and B had PCBs using single isolation layers.Vehicles build in group C had dual isolation layers on 1 of the 3 PCBs, and group D had all 3 PCBs built with dual insulation.Adding dual insulation to a PCB makes it more robust to material and manufacturing variations, and ultimately less susceptible to an electrical short circuit and subsequent failure.Through initial analysis of the GCM failures, GM identified that vehicles within group B contained PCBs that were contaminated during production due to increased production volumes that resulted in inadequate quality control.GM also noted that GCM failures occurred early in the life of the vehicle (typically <1000 miles).Therefore a service procedure was developed to replicate early life failures by subjecting the GCM to high current loads which would cause the identified failure mechanism (copper migration) to occur quickly and reveal any underlying PCB defect.Although groups A and C were built with PCBs containing single layer PCBs, they were built using better quality control, and as the data supports, experienced significantly lower failures.GM advised that for these reasons the two different service procedures were used in the Recall 13V-173 population.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) GM submitted 234 unique reports related to the alleged problem. It was noted that 197 (84%) of the received reports fell into the group B population.The 2 fire incidents noted were events in which flames were evident and/or damage was experienced outside of the GCM. Both of these incidents involved group B vehicles. One hundred four warranty claims were also submitted in response to the IR, with 96 claims (92%) from group B.It was also noted that none of the claims from groups A or C occurred after the service procedure was conducted, and that the majority of the A or C incidents occurred during the service procedure.Given the data, ODI believes the ser