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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

What owners actually said

205 reports
100 miles · May 8, 2013
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityPower Train

UN SMOOTH SHIFTING AROUND 30 MPH ,CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK OR BRAKE FEELS LIKE THE ASSIST IS NOT SENSING ,CAUSING THE HAD TO DEALERSHIP NOTHING THEY CAN DO ALL CHECK OUT BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511084

190 miles · Mar 28, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 BUICK LACROSSE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 100 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK, HANDS, SHOULDERS AND HIP. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 BUICK LACROSSE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 100 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK, HANDS, SHOULDERS AND HIP. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FIRST RESPOND STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, WHICH DEACTIVATED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10504883

900 miles · Mar 19, 2013
Electrical SystemEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE RADIO/NAVIGATION CONSOLE SCREEN BECAME BLACK. THE ON STAR BUTTON AND THE EMERGENCY BUTTONS WERE ALSO DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE RADIO WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE RADIO/NAVIGATION CONSOLE SCREEN BECAME BLACK. THE ON STAR BUTTON AND THE EMERGENCY BUTTONS WERE ALSO DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE RADIO WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD ON SUBSEQUENT VISITS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED BUT THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10503672

348 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SAT FOR SO LONG, THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED AND ROTATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SAT FOR SO LONG, THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE BALANCED AND ROTATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 348.

NHTSA ODI #10501171

14,900 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Electrical System

CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 10 HOURS. FOUND WITH ALL LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT FLASHING. REMOTE ENTRY DIDN'T WORK. CAR WOULDN'T START. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. OVERHEAD LIGHT AND WIPERS TURNED ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN AND WERE MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. TRUNK POPPED OPEN ON ITS OWN, THEN WHEN SHUT WOULDN'T OPEN AGAIN WITH THE LATCH OVER…

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CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 10 HOURS. FOUND WITH ALL LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT FLASHING. REMOTE ENTRY DIDN'T WORK. CAR WOULDN'T START. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION. OVERHEAD LIGHT AND WIPERS TURNED ON AND OFF ON THEIR OWN AND WERE MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. TRUNK POPPED OPEN ON ITS OWN, THEN WHEN SHUT WOULDN'T OPEN AGAIN WITH THE LATCH OVER LICENSE HOLDER. ONSTAR DIDN'T WORK AND WHEN CALLED THEY COULDN'T "FIND" MY VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSTICS. CALLED FOR A JUMP START- JUMPED WITH BATTERY PACK, STARTED EASILY AND RAN 5 MINUTES THEN WENT COMPLETELY DEAD AS SOON AS UNPLUGGED FROM POWER SUPPLY. WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO DEALER WHO IS TELLING ME THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I WILL NOT BE TAKING THIS CAR BACK UNTIL IT IS FIXED. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. COULDN'T SET PARKING BRAKE OR GET ONSTAR OR EVEN GET KEY OUT OF IGNITION WHILE ALL LIGHTS FLASHED AND CLICKED AROUND ME- SEEMED LIKE AN ELECTRIC OR WIRING PROBLEM TO ME WHICH CAN BE A FIRE HAZARD AND WHAT IF I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 70MPH AND ALL ELECTRIC GOES DEAD- STEERING AND ALL. I HAVE E-ASSIST AND SECOND BATTERY DOESN'T HELP WHEN DON'T HAVE POWER TO TRANSFER POWER. I HAVE HAD CAR ONLY FOR ONE YEAR BRAND NEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497797

1,000 miles · Jan 28, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT BECAME TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE DEALER WAS U…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT BECAME TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ODI #10494995

9,000 miles · Dec 10, 2012
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

DRIVER WAS ON A LARGE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF. DRIVER OBTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR SURGED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE PEDAL COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND WAS LAYING IN THE FLOORBOARD. CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR 6 MONTHS. CAR WAS TOWED TO…

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DRIVER WAS ON A LARGE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF. DRIVER OBTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR SURGED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE PEDAL COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND WAS LAYING IN THE FLOORBOARD. CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR 6 MONTHS. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE THE CASE OF THE PEDAL FAILURE. NO ANSWER YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487865

2,300 miles · Oct 16, 2012
SeatsInjury

HEAD REST IS ANGLED TOO FAR FORWARD - THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE ANGLE (ONLY UP AND DOWN HEIGHT). THIS CREATES NECK PAIN, BACK PAIN, ETC. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST WHERE MY HEAD IS NOT FORCED INTO MY CHIN IF I FULLY REST MY SHOULDERS ON THE SEAT. I FEAR A SEVERE NECK INJURY IF EVER IN A CRASH IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10480642

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

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