NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
46 reportsClear category filter71,000 miles · Feb 4, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering
THE CAR STARTED STALLING AND IT SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF AND RESTART ON ITS OWN. I REPLACED THE ENGINE OUT OF MY POCKETS AND NOW I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. FIRST BEFORE REPLACING THE ENGINE THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE AND I HAD THE REPAIRED, ABOUT SIX MONTH LATER A BOLT BROKE INSIDE THE EN…
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THE CAR STARTED STALLING AND IT SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF AND RESTART ON ITS OWN. I REPLACED THE ENGINE OUT OF MY POCKETS AND NOW I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. FIRST BEFORE REPLACING THE ENGINE THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE AND I HAD THE REPAIRED, ABOUT SIX MONTH LATER A BOLT BROKE INSIDE THE ENGINE AND THAT IS WHEN I REPLACED THE ENGINE. I JUST GOT THE CAR BACK THREE WEEKS AGO AND NOW IT IS DOING THE SAME THING.
NHTSA ODI #10949585
70,000 miles · Jul 7, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR IT'S BEEN VERY HARD TO DRIVE ON THE HWY ONCE I HIT A CERTAIN SPEED IT LOSES CONTROL VERY EASY ALSO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE KEEPS FAILING LOSS OF BATTERY ALL THE TIME I SMELL A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR EVERY SO OFTEN AND THE FRONT SEAT LOCKS UP ALL THE TIME ALSO SEEMS TO HA…
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SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR IT'S BEEN VERY HARD TO DRIVE ON THE HWY ONCE I HIT A CERTAIN SPEED IT LOSES CONTROL VERY EASY ALSO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE KEEPS FAILING LOSS OF BATTERY ALL THE TIME I SMELL A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR EVERY SO OFTEN AND THE FRONT SEAT LOCKS UP ALL THE TIME ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE A FAILURE TO IT AS WELL AND THE 2012 BUICK LACROSSE I OWN SAYS THERE NO RECALL WHEN I RUN THE VIN BUT HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE 2012 BUICK LACROSSE THAT IS ON RECALL
NHTSA ODI #10883453
30,000 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Engine
AS DRIVING AT 50 MILES/HR ON SUBURBAN MAIN STREET, ENGINE LOST COMPLETE POWER. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT SAME TIME ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE ICON. MY BUICK LACROSSE HAD NO ACCELERATION, NO POWER STEERING, AND NO POWER BRAKES. THE CAR HAD NO PREVIOUS WARNING. NO PREVIOUS REDUCED PERFORMANCE WITH ENGINE. NO PROBLEMS WITH GAS ECO…
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AS DRIVING AT 50 MILES/HR ON SUBURBAN MAIN STREET, ENGINE LOST COMPLETE POWER. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT SAME TIME ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE ICON. MY BUICK LACROSSE HAD NO ACCELERATION, NO POWER STEERING, AND NO POWER BRAKES. THE CAR HAD NO PREVIOUS WARNING. NO PREVIOUS REDUCED PERFORMANCE WITH ENGINE. NO PROBLEMS WITH GAS ECONOMY. ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THIS WOULD HAPPEN. CAR STILL HAD ELECTRICITY SINCE SPEEDOMETER STILL READING AND RADIO ON. AFTER TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. GM STATES NO ERROR MESSAGE IN COMPUTER. HOWEVER, THIS IS OUR SECOND GM CAR TO EXPERIENCE A REDUCED ENGINE SCENARIO. THIS TIME HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT REDUCED JUST COMPLETELY OFF. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN! WHAT IF IT OCCURS ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH FAST TRAFFIC. LUCKILY IT WAS A LOCAL, BUT BUSY STREET, AND A SUNDAY. I CANNOT BELIEVE A GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAS NOT HELD GM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. A CAR WITH SUDDEN POWER LOSS IS A MAJOR PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN. LUCKILY AGAIN I'M AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER WITH A SIMILAR INCIDENCE IN ANOTHER GM VEHICLE AND KNEW IF I HIT THE BRAKES I WAS A SITTING DUCK. HOW CAN A CAR LOSE POWER AND MULTIPLE POSTS ON INTERNET AND NO RECALL ? OUR BUICK ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10860209
55,000 miles · Jan 11, 2016
Engine
I NOTICED A FEW WET SPOTS UNDER THE VEHICLE, BUT I COULDN'T ESTABLISH WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. ON 25/NOV/2015 WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY WENT UP, FOLLOWED BY "ENGINE OVERHEAT" MESSAGE AND ALARM. I WAS ON A LONG BRIDGE IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA, AND I WAS FORCED TO STOP ON THE SIDE IN A VERY DANGE…
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I NOTICED A FEW WET SPOTS UNDER THE VEHICLE, BUT I COULDN'T ESTABLISH WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. ON 25/NOV/2015 WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY WENT UP, FOLLOWED BY "ENGINE OVERHEAT" MESSAGE AND ALARM. I WAS ON A LONG BRIDGE IN A CONSTRUCTION AREA, AND I WAS FORCED TO STOP ON THE SIDE IN A VERY DANGEROUS LOCATION. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO COOLANT REMAINING. THE SHOP MECHANIC ADDED MORE COOLANT WITH A DYE AND LET IT RUN IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS LEAKING FROM. THERE WAS NO LEAK AT ALL. I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE HOME AND COME BACK THE NEXT DAY FOR A CHECK. I WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY, AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE. AFTER ABOUT 1 WEEK I STARTED NOTICING THE WET SPOTS ON THE THE GROUND AGAIN. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO THE BUICK DEALER, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY SIGN OF LEAKING COOLANT. I CHECKED ON THE WEB AND REALIZED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BUICKS. MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR FRUSTRATION WITH COOLANT LEAKS WHOSE COURSE COULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A VEHICLE THAT COULD LITERALLY GO UP IN FLAMES ANY MOMMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL DESIGN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
NHTSA ODI #10819435
53,000 miles · Oct 7, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
WE HAVE A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE WITH EASSIST. WHEN DRIVING AT AROUND 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY UNLOCK AND LOCK, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS AND THE RPMS GO WAY UP AND A LIGHT COMES ON THAT SAYS "SERVICE POWER STEERING". WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR …
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WE HAVE A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE WITH EASSIST. WHEN DRIVING AT AROUND 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY UNLOCK AND LOCK, THE CAR DOWNSHIFTS AND THE RPMS GO WAY UP AND A LIGHT COMES ON THAT SAYS "SERVICE POWER STEERING". WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY SAY THAT BECAUSE THERE IS NO CODE DROPPED IN THE COMPUTER WHEN IT DOES IT AND THEY DON'T HAVE IT HAPPEN WHEN THEY TEST DRIVE IT, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE CAR HAS 53K MILES ON IT AND THIS HAS PROBABLY HAPPENED ABOUT 2 DOZEN TIMES. THE ENTIRE EVENT LASTS FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS BUT IT IS VARY SCARY WHEN YOU ARE CRUSING ALONG AT 65+ MPH AND ALL OF THESE THESE EVENTS JUST HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY THE HIGH RPMS, BECAUSE IT'S LIKE ENGINE BRAKING AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS.
NHTSA ODI #10780458
27,000 miles · Jan 2, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 9/12/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10669759
11,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I FOUND THAT WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER THE POWER DIES AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SINCE I HAD NOT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE BERM AND WAITED UNTIL POWER WAS RESTORED. THIS HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES. UPON CHECKING WITH THE DEALER I WAS TOLD BUICK IS…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I FOUND THAT WHILE ROUNDING A CORNER THE POWER DIES AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SINCE I HAD NOT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE BERM AND WAITED UNTIL POWER WAS RESTORED. THIS HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES. UPON CHECKING WITH THE DEALER I WAS TOLD BUICK IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. THEN I BEGAN HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE STABILITRAK - THE CAR LOSES POWER AND SURGES. AGAIN THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE LACROSSE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS OVER $2000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664486
42,430 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
VEHICLE WAS EXCESSIVELY ROUGH IN TRANSITION BETWEEN HYBRID AND ENGINE POWER AND WOULD JERK AS IF SOMEONE HAD PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK WHILE MOVING. VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER TO AC, RADIO AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. VEHICLE SHUTOFF AND HAD TO BE STOPPED AND PLACED INTO PARK BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERI…
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VEHICLE WAS EXCESSIVELY ROUGH IN TRANSITION BETWEEN HYBRID AND ENGINE POWER AND WOULD JERK AS IF SOMEONE HAD PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK WHILE MOVING. VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER TO AC, RADIO AND OTHER ACCESSORIES. VEHICLE SHUTOFF AND HAD TO BE STOPPED AND PLACED INTO PARK BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE STEERING WOULD STAY LOCKED IN POSITION UNTIL THE VEHICLE ROLLED ABOUT 10-15 FEET OR UNTIL THE VEHICLE TRANSITIONED TO ENGINE POWER. THESE CONDITION REPEATED MULTIPLE TIMES IN A TWO DAY SPAN, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER REPLACED A SOLENOID AND AN ENGINE MOUNT STATING THEY HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE VEHICLE NOW STAYS RUNNING, BUT I CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE ROUGH TRANSITION BETWEEN MODES. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE OTHER PARTS AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN AND STEERING LOSS WILL OCCUR AGAIN. IF IT DOES, THE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, INJURY, OR LOSS OF LIFE COULD EASILY OCCUR GIVEN THE LACK OF DRIVABILITY AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CONDITION OCCURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641285
2,000 miles · Aug 6, 2014
EnginePower Train
THE CAR WAS 5 MONTHS OLD. WE WERE GOING DOWNHILL IN THE MOUNTAINS OF WV. THE CAR SEEMED TO LOSE POWER OF PROPULSION AND ACCELERATION, SO WE COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR ACCELERATE AT ALL, ALTHOUGH THE TACHOMETER WOULD MOVE WHEN WE ACCELERATED. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXP…
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THE CAR WAS 5 MONTHS OLD. WE WERE GOING DOWNHILL IN THE MOUNTAINS OF WV. THE CAR SEEMED TO LOSE POWER OF PROPULSION AND ACCELERATION, SO WE COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR ACCELERATE AT ALL, ALTHOUGH THE TACHOMETER WOULD MOVE WHEN WE ACCELERATED. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. WE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN HIT BY A TRUCK. THE SERVICE PEOPLE FOUND NO DEFECTS. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE NOT LOST POWER, BUT THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION LURCHES WHEN WE STOP ACCELERATING AND SLOW TO 32 MPH. THIS GIVES US A RIDE THAT IS NOT SMOOTH, AND AT TIMES IS UNCOMFORTABLE. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUES ONLINE, AND WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY WHILE DRIVING OUR CAR, ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ON HIGHWAYS. THE GM DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DENIES THERE IS A DEFECT THAT CAN BE FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619459
14,630 miles · Jun 14, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System
DIESEL FUEL WAS ACCIDENTALLY FUELED INTO THE CAR AT A GAS STATION HAVING A "HYBRID" PUMP--ONE HAVING TWO NOZZLES. WHILE THIS WAS A MISTAKE ON THE DRIVERS PART, A DIESEL FUEL NOZZLE IS DESIGNED NOT TO FIT INTO A CAR WITH A GASOLINE ENGINE. THIS ERROR SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE. ON THIS BUICK, THIS IS NOT THE CASE. A DIESEL HO…
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DIESEL FUEL WAS ACCIDENTALLY FUELED INTO THE CAR AT A GAS STATION HAVING A "HYBRID" PUMP--ONE HAVING TWO NOZZLES. WHILE THIS WAS A MISTAKE ON THE DRIVERS PART, A DIESEL FUEL NOZZLE IS DESIGNED NOT TO FIT INTO A CAR WITH A GASOLINE ENGINE. THIS ERROR SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE. ON THIS BUICK, THIS IS NOT THE CASE. A DIESEL HOSE CAN BE FITTED INTO THE FILLER PIPE AND LEFT THERE UNATTENDED AND WILL FILL THE TANK. THE SAFETY DANGER IN THIS IS THAT THE CAR WILL STALL WHEN THE UNLEADED FUEL ALREADY IN THE FUEL LINES RUNS OUT AND THE ENGINE RECEIVES CONTAMINATED FUEL. WE WERE LUCKY AND THE CAR REACHED HOME FIRST AND THEN COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. OTHERWISE, THE CAR WOULD HAVE STALLED ON THE ROAD, THE POWER STEERING WOULD HAVE FAILED, AND THE CAR COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS CONDITION COST $1145 TO REPAIR. UPDATED 1/16/15 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598286
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2AQ14001 · 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