APROX. 1130 PM ON AUGUST 27TH, 2015, I WAS DRIVING (60 MPH) HOME FROM WORK AND LOST ALL POWER STEARING, I ALMOST HAD A ACCIDENT AND CASHED MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSE DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I MADE IT ABOUT A HALF OF A MILE DOWN THE STREET AND CALLED 911 FOR ASSISTANCE SINCE IT WAS DARK. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRCUK TO COME …
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APROX. 1130 PM ON AUGUST 27TH, 2015, I WAS DRIVING (60 MPH) HOME FROM WORK AND LOST ALL POWER STEARING, I ALMOST HAD A ACCIDENT AND CASHED MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSE DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I MADE IT ABOUT A HALF OF A MILE DOWN THE STREET AND CALLED 911 FOR ASSISTANCE SINCE IT WAS DARK. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRCUK TO COME GET MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. ON FRIDAY AUGUST 28TH THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER MY PART IT WAS THE SURPINTINE BELT AND IT WOULDNT BE THERE UNTIL MONDAY AUGUST 31ST. ON MONDAY 8/31/2015 THE DEALSHIP TECH SAYS IT MAY BE A MOTOR ISSUE BUT WONT KNOW UNTIL HE TRIED THE BELT FIRST. MONDAY 8/31/15 THE AUTO TECH SAID THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE TOOL. ON TUESDAY 9/1 THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE THE TOOL BUT NOW MY CAR NEEDS NOT ONLY A BELT BUT THE TENSIONER AS WELL. THE DEALERSHIP IS QUOTING ME A PRICE OF OVER $650 PLUS THE COST OF MY RENTAL CAR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND A BULLETIN IN MARCH 2012 FOR BUICK LACROSSE AND REGALS WITH FAULTY SURPINTINE BELTS MADE OF TENSIL OR COPPER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BY SPETEMBER 2012, I DID NOT PURCHASE MY CAR UNTL NOVEMBER 2012. NOW GM IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PART ENVEN THOUGH I STILL HAVE A 100K MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND THEY HAVE THE BROADCAST NOTIFICATION OF A FAULTY PART. NOW GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE PART AND/OR MY RENTAL CAR. I ALMOST HAD A INJURY DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION. I NEED ASSISTANCE. PLEASE ADVISE.
NHTSA ODI #10761056
25,000 miles · Aug 18, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. AFTER PARKING AND ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED BACK AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN ITS REAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10749359
350 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 31 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 31 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 350.
NHTSA ODI #10732353
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
39,000 miles · Oct 17, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train
AT AROUND 70 MPH THE DOORS UNLOCK AND LOCK AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVER REV. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10648462
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
12,000 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING AFTER SLOWING AND THEN ACCELERATING. THE FIRST 3 TIMES WERE NOT AS FRIGHTENING AS THE ONE THAT OCCURRED ON 7-7-2014.RETURNING FROM A TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS,AS I EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND BEGAN TO RAMP OFF, THE CAR STALLED TO THE POINT OF NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. IT L…
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FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STALLING AFTER SLOWING AND THEN ACCELERATING. THE FIRST 3 TIMES WERE NOT AS FRIGHTENING AS THE ONE THAT OCCURRED ON 7-7-2014.RETURNING FROM A TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS,AS I EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND BEGAN TO RAMP OFF, THE CAR STALLED TO THE POINT OF NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. IT LURCHED TO REGAIN SPEED AND FINALLY RECOVERED. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 7-10-2014 AND THEY DID DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND FOUND NO OBVIOUS PROBLEM WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO DO WHEN THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. THE DEALER SAID TO BRING IT BACK IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN. MY QUESTION--WHAT IF THE NEXT TIME IT CAUSES A CRASH? CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME GET RESOLUTION AS MY WARRANTY EXPIRES IN FEB. 2015. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610061
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2014
Power Train
2012 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ALL WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE ENTIRE REAR END NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10609369
9,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Power TrainCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND HIT THE WALL OF A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 08/29/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10608556
600 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
THIS IS A 4CYL CAR WITH EASIEST. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION - THE CAR WHILE GOING DOWNHILL OR SOMETIMES UPHILL, ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN AFTER RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR ONCE BECAUSE OF THIS. JERKING - THE CAR WHILE DECELERATING FROM 50-40 MPH TO 30-20 MPH JERKS AFTER RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL (WITH AN INTENTIO…
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THIS IS A 4CYL CAR WITH EASIEST. UNINTENDED ACCELERATION - THE CAR WHILE GOING DOWNHILL OR SOMETIMES UPHILL, ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN AFTER RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR ONCE BECAUSE OF THIS. JERKING - THE CAR WHILE DECELERATING FROM 50-40 MPH TO 30-20 MPH JERKS AFTER RELEASING THE GAS PEDAL (WITH AN INTENTION OF DECELERATING) OR WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING REGULARLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCT 2012. *TR
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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