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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

Steering complaints

24 reports
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130,031 miles · Feb 13, 2019
EngineService BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON CITY STREET DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE COMPLETED SHUT DOWN NO WARNING, ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON, THE WHEEL BECAME STIFF THE BRAKES BECAME STIFF. I PUT IT IN PARK, TURNED THE IGNITION OFFEND STARTED IT UP AGAIN, IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 4 MILES ENGINE LIGHT REMAI…

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WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON CITY STREET DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE COMPLETED SHUT DOWN NO WARNING, ENGINE LIGHT POPPED ON, THE WHEEL BECAME STIFF THE BRAKES BECAME STIFF. I PUT IT IN PARK, TURNED THE IGNITION OFFEND STARTED IT UP AGAIN, IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 4 MILES ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. PULLED INTO PARKING SHUT IF OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP BUT ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON, DROVE 4 MILES HOME, AS TURNING ONTO STREET SHUT OFF AGAIN WHEEL LOCKED, BRAKES STIFF, REPEAT FIRST STEPS, DROVE 50 FT, SHUT OFF, DROVE ANOTHER 50 FT SHUT OFF, BUT THEN DIDN'T START BACK UP RIGHT AWAY. WAIT A MINUTE STARTED UP BUT WAS HESITATING. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN, 130K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11179946

45,000 miles · Aug 15, 2018
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNKNOWN DEALER IN 2014 TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER; THE REPAIR DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNKNOWN DEALER IN 2014 TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER; THE REPAIR DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FLICKERED AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #11120104

50,000 miles · Aug 4, 2018
Power TrainService BrakesSteering

THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND I WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND ON MY WAY BACK THE CHARGING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 70 MILES AN HOUR IN A CURVE WHEN ALL SYSTEMS WENT DOWN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP AND I LOST BRAKING, STEERING AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS…

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THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND I WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK THE NEXT DAY AND ON MY WAY BACK THE CHARGING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 70 MILES AN HOUR IN A CURVE WHEN ALL SYSTEMS WENT DOWN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP AND I LOST BRAKING, STEERING AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS. AND I WAS VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE WRECKED THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11115703

70,000 miles · May 15, 2018
EnginePower TrainSteering

THE ISSUE I'M REPORTING HAS ALREADY HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES. FIRST TIME I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND ENGINE ON CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN, DRIVING WHEEL LOCKS OR POWER STEERING GETS LOST AND BRAKE PEDAL STOPS WORKING GETS VERY STIFF AND ALL THIS HAPPENED ON A STATE HIGHWAY. ALL THAT CAN BE DONE IS LET THE CAR …

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THE ISSUE I'M REPORTING HAS ALREADY HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 8 TIMES. FIRST TIME I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND ENGINE ON CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN, DRIVING WHEEL LOCKS OR POWER STEERING GETS LOST AND BRAKE PEDAL STOPS WORKING GETS VERY STIFF AND ALL THIS HAPPENED ON A STATE HIGHWAY. ALL THAT CAN BE DONE IS LET THE CAR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN ITS OWN ALL WHILE USING ALL MY FORCE TO TRY MY BEST TO STEER CAR AWAY FROM TRAFFIC, BECAUSE IT LOCKS AND THAT TIME I COULD BARELY MAKE IT TURN SLIGHTLY DUE TO THE STIFFNESS. AFTER THAT, THE CAR'S ENGINE WONT START BUT LIGHTS AND RADIO WORK. AFTER CONSTANTLY TURNING IT IN AND OFF ENGINE FINALLY STARTS UP AFTER APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR, BUT WHEN PLACED ON DRIVE ONLY MOVES VERY SLOW EVEN WHEN STEPPING ON GAS IT WILL MOVE AT ABOUT 1 MPH. I TURN IT OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIME AND THEN WHEN I FINALLY STEP ON THE GAS IT JERKS ME FORWARD FINALLY WHEN ON DRIVE....

NHTSA ODI #11093914

29,975 miles · Dec 17, 2017
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other

CAR STALLED OUT TWICE, LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT SPACE; RESTARTED AND THEN STALLED WHILE PULLING ONTO STREET. FEAR IS IT STALLING IN TRAFFIC AND GETTING REAR-ENDED. I TOOK TO GARNER BUICK WHERE HAD PURCHASED NEW. WHEN CAR WAS RELATIVELY NEW AND STILL ON WARRANTY HAD HAD SIMILAR ISSUE, BUT DEALER NEV…

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CAR STALLED OUT TWICE, LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING LOT SPACE; RESTARTED AND THEN STALLED WHILE PULLING ONTO STREET. FEAR IS IT STALLING IN TRAFFIC AND GETTING REAR-ENDED. I TOOK TO GARNER BUICK WHERE HAD PURCHASED NEW. WHEN CAR WAS RELATIVELY NEW AND STILL ON WARRANTY HAD HAD SIMILAR ISSUE, BUT DEALER NEVER FOUND PROBLEM. NOW OCCURS AGAIN. THEY FOUND TWO SENSORS THAT FAILED BUT OK NOW SO TOLD ME TO DRIVE OVER WEEKEND AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I SEE THIS AS A BIG SAFETY PROBLEM AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. BUICK SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IF THIS HAPPENS, BUT IN THE MEANTIME I AM THE ONE INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #11055115

25,000 miles · Jun 21, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (COACHELLA VALLEY BUICK/GMC, INDU, CALIFORNIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS PROGRAMMED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (COACHELLA VALLEY BUICK/GMC, INDU, CALIFORNIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS PROGRAMMED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #11000412

51,000 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

ALL POWER FEATURES SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON STREET. LOSS PARTIAL CONTROL OF STEERING, BRAKING POWER WAS REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY AND ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY.

NHTSA ODI #10980218

71,000 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

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

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