2018 Buick Encore

While driving, my car began to glitch out. The screens started turning on and off, the doors began locking and unlocking, and I lost my ability to steer, brake, and accelerate. It caused me to run a red light and I almost got into a severe accident. This issue has occurred several times, and during more recent occasions the car has turned off completely while driving. There were no warning lights or messages indicating that something was wrong with the car, but sometimes when I turn the car back on, it says “calibrating.” If Buick has sold cars that are capable of losing complete control, this should be investigated immediately.

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle would not exceed 25 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

THIS TOOK PLACE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY IN THE PARKING LOT OF A COMMERCIAL BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING FORWARD. IT WAS DECELERATING HEAD-IN INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE BRAKING ACTION WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAD SLOWED TO ABOUT 5 MPH. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKING WAS ENGAGED. I THEN HEARD THE SOUND OF THE ENGINE REVVING AT A VERY HIGH RATE. THERE WAS A HIGH WHINING SOUND. I LOST BRAKING AS MY RIGHT FOOT DEPRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AT AN INCREASED SPEED. IT JUMPED THE SIDEWALK CURB, CROSSED THE CONCRETE SIDEWALK, AND SLAMMED INTO A CINDER BLOCK WALL COLUMN ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.