NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
205 reports113,000 miles · Apr 7, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSE HAD AN ENGINE REDUCED SPEED SIGNAL COME ON AND I CHECKED THE MENU TO SEE WHAT IT WAS ABOUT AND IT SAID THE STABILITY TRACK NEEDED TO BE SERVICED AND I GOOGLED WHAT THIS MEANT AND ON GOOGLE, GOOGLE READ THAT OTHER BUICK LACROSSE OF THE SAME YEAR HAD A RECALL…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE MY 2012 BUICK LACROSSE HAD AN ENGINE REDUCED SPEED SIGNAL COME ON AND I CHECKED THE MENU TO SEE WHAT IT WAS ABOUT AND IT SAID THE STABILITY TRACK NEEDED TO BE SERVICED AND I GOOGLED WHAT THIS MEANT AND ON GOOGLE, GOOGLE READ THAT OTHER BUICK LACROSSE OF THE SAME YEAR HAD A RECALL WHEN I CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR MY CAR I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HASN'T HAD ANY RECALLS WHEN I JUST READ ON GOOGLE THAT THE SAME CAR AND YEAR HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11320385
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
84,500 miles · Sep 24, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSuspension
STABILITY TRACKING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO KICK AND JURK COMES TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC . ELECTRONIC BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON , TELLING TO HAVE SERVICED. TOLD DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM .TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM RESET COMPUTER. DEALER CODE WAS. PROGRAMED IN AND CONTINUES TO ACT UP OVER AND OVER. WAS TOLD IT WAS A…
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STABILITY TRACKING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO KICK AND JURK COMES TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC . ELECTRONIC BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON , TELLING TO HAVE SERVICED. TOLD DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM .TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM RESET COMPUTER. DEALER CODE WAS. PROGRAMED IN AND CONTINUES TO ACT UP OVER AND OVER. WAS TOLD IT WAS A SHORT PROBLEM. TOLD ME THEY RESOLVED THE PROBLEM WITH A USED PUMP IN TRANSMISSION! SORRY TO SAY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11257875
84,500 miles · Sep 24, 2019
Electrical System
MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED AND I TOOK IT FOR A RIDE THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. WAITED UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AND IT STARTED IT AGAIN BUT THERE IS HESITATION IN STARTING. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT IS LISTED AS A RECALL BUT…
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MY CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED AND I TOOK IT FOR A RIDE THEN TURNED THE CAR OFF. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. WAITED UNTIL THE NEXT DAY AND IT STARTED IT AGAIN BUT THERE IS HESITATION IN STARTING. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT IS LISTED AS A RECALL BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA ODI #11257652
152,000 miles · Sep 19, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, STATING THAT THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, STATING THAT THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
NHTSA ODI #11256605
83,177 miles · Sep 5, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
MY VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE I WAS ON THE EXPRESS WAY. THEN IT WOULD NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. COMPUTER PUT OUT A CODE P062F. NOW I HAVE TO GET A JUMP ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY.
NHTSA ODI #11253436
172,000 miles · Aug 7, 2019
Power Train
JUST RECENTLY GOT MY CAR FULLY SERVICE AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND IT STARTED DECELERATING AND SHIFTING ABNORMAL. ALL MY FLUIDS WAS VISIBLE IN MY CAR AND ITS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, WONT LET ME CATCH SPEED PAST 33MPH, WONT GO IN REVERSE AND ALSO SOMETIMES IT STALL TO GO FORWARD. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE SH…
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JUST RECENTLY GOT MY CAR FULLY SERVICE AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND IT STARTED DECELERATING AND SHIFTING ABNORMAL. ALL MY FLUIDS WAS VISIBLE IN MY CAR AND ITS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, WONT LET ME CATCH SPEED PAST 33MPH, WONT GO IN REVERSE AND ALSO SOMETIMES IT STALL TO GO FORWARD. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE ON RECALL DUE TO SAFETY DRIVING ISSUES. I HAVE 2 FAMILY MEMBERS THAT OWN THE SAME KIND OF VEHICLE LIKE ME AND THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEY CAR. GOT IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPAIR OR GET A NEW ONE. HAVENT HEARD ANYTHING BACK TO WHY SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES SO FIGURE I WOULD GIVE THIS A SHOT SO THESE VEHICLES CAN GET INSPECTED. DURING THE TIME OF MY ISSUES, MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY STREET AND IT SEEM LIKE AS I MAKE A TURN IT WOULDNT GET NO BETTER. WONT LET ME CATCH SPEED ONCE IT DECELERATE AND WONT REVERSE AT ALL(I CAN PUT IT IN REVERSE GEAR BUT ITS NOT BACKING UP AT ALL).
NHTSA ODI #11242175
69,530 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Engine
AC SYSTEM WENT OUT, COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #11232221
129,000 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Engine
IN 3500 MILES MY CAR CONSUMED 4 QTS OF OIL. IN RETURNED THAT CAUSED STALLING VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY AND ENGINE DAMAGE. GM KNOWS THAT IT'S A PROBLEM BUT WILL ONLY FIX THE PROBLEM IF YOU ARE UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA ODI #11229202
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