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.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Lacrosse years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
205 reportsTL* 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
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
VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPORTED TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE NEEDED, TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SERVICE NEEDED AND KEY NOT DETECTED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO LOOK AT THE TIRES AND ALL WERE GOOD. DROVE CAR TO DEALER AS I ASSUMED IT WOULD NOT IDENTIFY THE KEY FOB AND RESTART. DEALER CONFIRMED WARNING LIGHTS AT TIME OF DROP OFF B…
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VEHICLE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPORTED TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE NEEDED, TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SERVICE NEEDED AND KEY NOT DETECTED. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO LOOK AT THE TIRES AND ALL WERE GOOD. DROVE CAR TO DEALER AS I ASSUMED IT WOULD NOT IDENTIFY THE KEY FOB AND RESTART. DEALER CONFIRMED WARNING LIGHTS AT TIME OF DROP OFF BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY STORED FAULT CODES. RETURNED CAR WITH NO CORRECTIVE ACTION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE TPMS HAS INDICATED A FLAT TIRE, USUALLY DRIVERS SIDE REAR. TPMS FALSE INDICATORS ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
ON APRIL 23, 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE RUNNING ERRANDS IN OUR HOMETOWN IN OUR 2012 BUICK LACROSSE WITH EASIEST. I NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T GOING INTO AUTO-STOP AND THE STEERING BECAME ?TIGHT?. WHEN WE GOT HOME, I STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE IN-TOWN DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. WHEN I BACKED THE CAR TO THE BOTTOM OF THE D…
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ON APRIL 23, 2014, MY WIFE AND I WERE RUNNING ERRANDS IN OUR HOMETOWN IN OUR 2012 BUICK LACROSSE WITH EASIEST. I NOTICED THE CAR WASN'T GOING INTO AUTO-STOP AND THE STEERING BECAME ?TIGHT?. WHEN WE GOT HOME, I STARTED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE IN-TOWN DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. WHEN I BACKED THE CAR TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY, I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I PUT THE CAR BACK UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO DELIVER THE CAR FOR SERVICE. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE CAMSHAFT INTAKE POSITION SENSOR HAD FAILED. THIS APPARENTLY INTERACTED WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN SUCH A WAY AS TO DISABLE IT. WHILE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS FAILURE WERE NOT SERIOUS, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY HAD WE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 70+ MPH. *TR
THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE CABIN AIR FILTER EVERY 5,000 MILES. IF THE AIR FILTER IS NOT CHANGED ON A REGULAR BASIS A FOWL ORDER SMELLING LIKE MOLD/MILDEW COMES THROUGH THE VENTS. I'VE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO VARIOUS DEALERSHIPS AND IT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *JS
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ASSIST WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE SENSOR. THEY ALSO REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE ASSIST WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE SENSOR. THEY ALSO REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL MODULE AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,019 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,200.
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
NEW CAR..HAD CONTINUED ISSUES OF TILT WHEEL UNLOCKING IN LOCKED POSITION. DEALER HAD TOLD US..WE WERE THE ONLY ONES WITH THE PROBLEM."DID SERVICE..NO RECORDS..DROVE NEW CAR AGAIN..SAME PROBLEM..STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED..CAUSED NEW CAR TO GO OFF INTO THE DITCH DUE TO LOSS OF SUDDEN CONTROL. CALLED DEALER..THEY SENT UP A TOW TRUCK.…
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NEW CAR..HAD CONTINUED ISSUES OF TILT WHEEL UNLOCKING IN LOCKED POSITION. DEALER HAD TOLD US..WE WERE THE ONLY ONES WITH THE PROBLEM."DID SERVICE..NO RECORDS..DROVE NEW CAR AGAIN..SAME PROBLEM..STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED..CAUSED NEW CAR TO GO OFF INTO THE DITCH DUE TO LOSS OF SUDDEN CONTROL. CALLED DEALER..THEY SENT UP A TOW TRUCK..I REFUSED TO DRIVE NEW CAR TILL CORRECTED. I SEARCHED INTERNET..FOUND OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEMS.. THE DEALERSHIP SUPPLIED US WITH A FREE RENTAL..4 WEEKS..AND FINALLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY..NO CHARGE UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM NEVER OCCURRED AGAIN...CAR IS STILL DRIVEN...AND NO PROBLEMS..HAVE 18000 MILES NOW. THE STEERING ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA..BUT NEVER WAS FOLLOWED UP BY ANYONE..NO REPLY..NOTHING.. *TR
Official recalls
521V00F000 · 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
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
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