THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE 17,000 MILES NOW ON THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME I WAS DRIVING ON OR OFF A RAMP. SPEED ESTIMATE 30 TO A MAX OF 40 MPH. THE CAR STARTS TO DIE AND I HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO GET OFF TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD SO VEHICLES DO NOT HIT ME FROM BEHIND. IT JUST LOSES ALL POWER BUT DOESN'T QUITE STALL. ON…
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THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN THE 17,000 MILES NOW ON THE VEHICLE. EACH TIME I WAS DRIVING ON OR OFF A RAMP. SPEED ESTIMATE 30 TO A MAX OF 40 MPH. THE CAR STARTS TO DIE AND I HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO GET OFF TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD SO VEHICLES DO NOT HIT ME FROM BEHIND. IT JUST LOSES ALL POWER BUT DOESN'T QUITE STALL. ONCE I PULL OVER, TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS, THE ENGINE RECOVERS AND HAS RAN FINE. I DO BELIEVE I CAUGHT A GLIMPSE OF THE "RED LIGHT" THAT CAME ON 4/11 AS I WAS GOING UP A RAMP TO MY DOCTORS OFFICE. THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON ALL THE WAY BECAUSE THE CAR AND NEVER TOTALLY DIES.........IT APPEARS TO BE A CAR WITH SWERVE MARKS BEHIND. I TOOK THIS CAR IN THE SAME WEEK ON 4/07 AND THEY SAID THE CAR IS OPERATING "AS DESIGNED" AND COULDN'T LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS TO RUN GREAT EXCEPT FOR THE 4 MISHAPS AND IT REALLY SCARES ME THAT SOMEDAY I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD OR A CAR WILL HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THERE HAS TO BE A PROBLEM. I DON'T DRIVE FAST AND I AM DEFINITELY NOT SKIDDING AROUND THE RAMP. AT AGE 61 I MIGHT NOT BE DOING THE SPEED LIMIT EVEN. HELP ME? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583893
25,000 miles · Nov 22, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JUNE, 2012, THERE HAVE BEEN THREE (3) INCIDENTS WHERE THERE WAS A GRADUAL LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS THIS PAST SATURDAY, ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013. MY CAR IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH E-ASSI…
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SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JUNE, 2012, THERE HAVE BEEN THREE (3) INCIDENTS WHERE THERE WAS A GRADUAL LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS THIS PAST SATURDAY, ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013. MY CAR IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH E-ASSIST. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE, OR SIMILAR DEVICE. EACH TIME A CERTIFIED BUICK REPAIR SERVICE CLAIM THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THANKS GOD I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN IN A SAFE PLACE WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED, AND SO FAR THERE HAS BEEN NO FIRE IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR, WHICH I UNDERSTAND MIGHT OCCUR. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR ASSISTANCE IN REGARDS TO THIS URGENT MATTER. UPDATED 12/16/13
NHTSA ODI #10553494
4,700 miles · Aug 22, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSE, IT STARTED SOONER THAN THIS WITH MY AIR DEFLECTOR FALLING OFF AT 75 MPH AND ALMOST FLIPPING MY CAR. THIS TIME ON JULY 30TH MY VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY OUT FROM THE MEMORY LOSS, THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I WAS STALLED IN ONE OF THE BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS IN MY…
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I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSE, IT STARTED SOONER THAN THIS WITH MY AIR DEFLECTOR FALLING OFF AT 75 MPH AND ALMOST FLIPPING MY CAR. THIS TIME ON JULY 30TH MY VEHICLE WENT COMPLETELY OUT FROM THE MEMORY LOSS, THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I WAS STALLED IN ONE OF THE BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS IN MY CITY. AS I WAS TRYING TO GET MY VEHICLE TO MOVE AGAIN THE LIGHT TURNED RED AND AN 18 WHEELER ALMOST BROADSIDED ME. I FOUND OUT THAT BACK IN MAY A SAFETY RECALL WAS SENT DOWN ON MY VEHICLE. THE ONES WITH EASIEST THE BATTERY IN THE BACK CAN CATCH FIRE AND CAUSE PROBLEMS. I DID NOT EVEN GET MY NOTICE UNTIL I HAD PICKED MY VEHICLE UP AND GM SAID THEY WEREN'T GOING TO SEND NOTICES UNTIL THEY "HAD A PROBLEM" WELL PARTS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER DUE TO THE PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE A HUGE PROBLEM. GM KEEPS GIVING ME EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE AND DOES NOT WANT TO HELP ME IN ALL THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD. MY AIR DEFLECTOR FALLING OFF THEY SAID COULD NOT HAPPEN, I SAID IT DID AND IT IS GONE, CAN'T REPRODUCE SOMETHING WITH NOTHING THERE. IN FRONT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD A CADILLAC ESCALADE DROPPED HIS AIR DEFLECTOR TOO, SAME SIDE DROPPED, SAME SIDE TWISTED OFF, NOTHING IN THE ROAD TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM AND I HAVE THE PROOF YET GM DOESN'T CARE AND STILL SAYS IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. MY MECHANIC SAID IF IT IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THEY WILL JUST FALL OFF, THE AIR DEFLECTORS ON GM PRODUCTS ARE HELD ON BY ONLY 2 BOLTS, THE OTHER SPOTS HAVE NEVER BEEN BOLTED ON, NOW I HAVE A DAMAGED VEHICLE AND GM SAYS IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED THREE TIMES AND MY DAUGHTER ONCE IN THIS VEHICLE, HOW NORMAL IS THAT? PLEASE HELP!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536689
8,750 miles · Oct 3, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE AND CHECK SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SERPENTINE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE AND CHECK SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST POWER AS THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,750 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,805. ....UPDATED 12/20/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED DURING THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE BELT FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED. GM ASSURED THE ENGINE WASN'T THE ISSUE IT WAS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 1/2/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10478483
8,050 miles · Sep 30, 2012
Engine
WE WERE ON I 35 TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE MOTOR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. AFTER ABOUT 30 TO 45 SECONDS SOME POWER SEEMED TO COME BACK AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE ROAD. EXTERNAL TEMP. WAS 93 AND BUT THERE WAS NO WORKING AIR CON INSIDE THE CAR. I CALLED ONSTAR. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSIS AND SAID MY CAR WAS NOT W…
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WE WERE ON I 35 TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH WHEN THE MOTOR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. AFTER ABOUT 30 TO 45 SECONDS SOME POWER SEEMED TO COME BACK AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE ROAD. EXTERNAL TEMP. WAS 93 AND BUT THERE WAS NO WORKING AIR CON INSIDE THE CAR. I CALLED ONSTAR. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSIS AND SAID MY CAR WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. I STARTED TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE CAR MOTOR STOPPED COMPLETELY. NO POWER OF ANY KIND. COULD NOT RESTART. COULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN SERPENTINE BELT. THEY SAID A RECALL WAS ISSUED 12 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE. I HAVE WRITTEN TO BUICK AND TO GENERAL MOTORS AND REQUESTED AN EXPLANATION. NEITHER HAVE REPLIED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478015
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2012
Engine
2012 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER STATES MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND A VERY LOW KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK, THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING …
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2012 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER STATES MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND A VERY LOW KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIP STICK, THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS LEAKING AND THERE WAS OIL LEAKING BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED A WARNING LIGHT NEVER APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD TO WARN HIM OF A PROBLEM. *JB
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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