NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
4 reportsClear category filter165,000 miles · Jul 23, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
GM DEALERSHIP MISDIAGNOSED THE TRANSMISSION AS NEEDING REPLACEMENT, AND QUOTE A $4500 REPAIR PRICE. AFTER GETTING 3 ALTERNATIVE EXPERT OPINIONS, THE PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE BODY; REPAIRED FOR $420. NOW THE FORMERLY RECALLED GENERATOR ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED. CAR WILL NOT RESTART WHEN STOPPED, WHILE DRIVING. GM HAS TOLD ME THEY …
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GM DEALERSHIP MISDIAGNOSED THE TRANSMISSION AS NEEDING REPLACEMENT, AND QUOTE A $4500 REPAIR PRICE. AFTER GETTING 3 ALTERNATIVE EXPERT OPINIONS, THE PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE BODY; REPAIRED FOR $420. NOW THE FORMERLY RECALLED GENERATOR ALTERNATOR HAS FAILED. CAR WILL NOT RESTART WHEN STOPPED, WHILE DRIVING. GM HAS TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE FORMERLY RECALLED PART UNDER WARRANTY, OR BUT NOT IF FOR MISDIAGNOSING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE PART FAILING WHEN GARNERING 2ND OPINIONS. GM ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT IS NOT THE DEALERSHIP'S JOB TO ALERT A CUSTOMER OF A RECALL. IF THAT IS THEIR PROCESS FOR RECALLS, I AM AFRAID FOR THE LIVES OF OTHERS. I AM ALSO AFRAID THAT THEY POSSIBLY DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND HOW TO DIAGNOSE A VEHICLE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. THEY CONFIRMED THE PART NOW IN QUESTION WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT THEIR DEALERSHIP, BUT RECOMMENDED A NEW TRANSMISSION DUE TO HIGH MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A GENUINE GM DEALERSHIP. I'D LIKE THE GM/ALTERNATOR, CONTROL MODULE, AND OTHER ASSOCIATE PARTS INVESTIGATED FOR VOLTAGE FAILURES RELATED TO THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IF GM IS REPLACING TRANSMISSIONS, WHEN NOT NEEDED, AND THE OTHER PARTS EVENTUALLY FULLY FAIL, CONSUMERS ARE AT EXTREME RISK. MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS STUCK AT A COMPLETE STOP, FOR NEARLY 30 SECONDS SEVERAL TIMES, ON A 70 MPH FREEWAY, WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A HALT, THEN RESTARTED; REACHING FULL SPEED AND HAVING TO VEER AND SLAM ON BRAKES TO AVOID HER CAR; IN THE CENTER LANE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. [XXX]. I WILL ALSO BE FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF MICHIGAN FOR VEHICLE REPAIR SHOP REGULATION. DEALERSHIPS WHO ARE READING CODES, AND NOT VERIFYING THE CODES, SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN FOR GOOD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *PM *TR
NHTSA ODI #11113038
12,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System
CONSOLE WONT TURN ON IN THE HEAT. IT DISCONNECTS. PARKING LIGHT SAYS NOT IN PARK WHEN PARKED AND WONT TURN OFF. LIGHTS BURN OUT VERY FAST. HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE , NEW! IT IS VERY SLUGGISH WHEN TAKING OFF FROM STOP.
NHTSA ODI #11058015
28,300 miles · Oct 22, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
I HAVE A BUICK POWER ADD ON SYSTEM THAT IS 50 STATE CARB LEGAL CALLED THE STAGE ONE KIT OFFERED BY GM THE KIT CONSISTS OF AN AIR INTAKE AND A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION. AMONG ALL THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR THEIR FINAL SOLUTION WAS TO INSTALL THE OEM CALIBRATION AND FUEL TABLES BUT LEAVE THE THE STAGE ONE KIT INSTALLED…
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I HAVE A BUICK POWER ADD ON SYSTEM THAT IS 50 STATE CARB LEGAL CALLED THE STAGE ONE KIT OFFERED BY GM THE KIT CONSISTS OF AN AIR INTAKE AND A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION. AMONG ALL THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR THEIR FINAL SOLUTION WAS TO INSTALL THE OEM CALIBRATION AND FUEL TABLES BUT LEAVE THE THE STAGE ONE KIT INSTALLED. I BELIEVE THIS MAKES MY CAR NON-50 STATE EMISSIONS COMPLIANT. PART NUMBER FOR STAGE KIT IS 12653664. THE ISNTALLATION MANUAL SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS NOT DRIVING WITHOUT THE CALIBRATION UPDATE FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE NO WAY OF PUTTING IT BACK IN.
NHTSA ODI #10918057
38,000 miles · Mar 22, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
ON 3-7-15, UPON LEAVING MCDONALD'S ON 14 MILE RD., IN ROYAL OAK, MI. I APPROACHED THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY, STOPPED, WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. STARTING TO TURN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I WENT TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID START TO GO, BUT SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS NOW ON THE…
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ON 3-7-15, UPON LEAVING MCDONALD'S ON 14 MILE RD., IN ROYAL OAK, MI. I APPROACHED THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY, STOPPED, WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. STARTING TO TURN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I WENT TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID START TO GO, BUT SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS NOW ON THE MAIN ROAD, WITH CARS APPROACHING, NO ACCELERATION. I GLIDED INTO THE DRIVEWAY RIGHT NEXT DOOR, HARDLY MADE IT SAFELY. I TESTED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND REVERSE, AND THE CAR RESPONDED. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP, RIGHT LANE, FLASHERS ON. THEY TESTED THE CAR BY COMPUTER CODING "RUNNING LEAN". THEY DETERMINED THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I WAS CALLED AND TOLD A LOOSE CABLE AND SCREW TO THE BATTERY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I ASKED AND WAS TOLD "RUNNING LEAN" HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THEY SAID IT CODED PREVIOUSLY "RUNNING LEAN". I NEVER HAD WARNINGS, OR HAD NO GAS TO THE ACCELERATOR BEFORE. I HAVE COMPLAINED OF A HESITANCY WHEN I GO TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. TEST DRIVING THE CAR, NOBODY AGREED WITH ME, AT SOMERSET BUICK OR AT SELLERS BUICK. TOLD TO ME BY SOMERSET BUICK, A PROBLEM HAS TO OCCUR 3 TIMES BEFORE WARNING THE DRIVER. I SAID THAT COULD BE "TOO LATE", AND THEY COULD HAVE A FATALITY ON THEIR HANDS. IMAGINE MAKING A LEFT TURN IN AN INTERSECTION, STARTING TO ACCELERATE, AND SUDDENLY NO GAS TO DRIVE THE CAR, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH CARS COMING? I PONDERED: THE "3 TIME OCCURRENCE" BEFORE A WARNING? WHAT REASON NOT TO WARN A DRIVER? HOW COULD THERE NOT BE A WARNING TO LET A DRIVER KNOW THAT THERE IS A CABLE AND A SCREW LOOSE CAUSING NO GAS TO THE ACCELERATOR? I AM HAUNTED BY WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE DRIVING THE GM CARS THAT HAD THE PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION. WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? I REALLY BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL SITUATION TO SAVE LIVES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10700992
Official recalls
6Feb 26, 2026
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012–2013 Buick Regal Turbo and GS trim-level vehicles that were sold or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, 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. The rear suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, 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 April 3, 2026. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N252537580. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall numbers 20V764, 21V633, and 21V00F.
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.
Aug 12, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Buick Regal, Chevrolet Malibu, and 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 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. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 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 N212330130.
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.
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.
Oct 4, 2012
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.
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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