NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
299 reports85,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Power Train
WHILE TURNING CORNERS, CAR JERKS FORWARD AND WHEELS SEEMINGLY STICK TO GROUND AND SQUEAL. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR WHEN ACCELERATING WHEN ON A HILL OR INCLINE. I'VE HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL DIFFERENT ANSWERS ABOUT WHAT THIS COULD BE BUT NOTHING DEFINITIVE. WAS TOLD MAKE A TRANSMISSION …
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WHILE TURNING CORNERS, CAR JERKS FORWARD AND WHEELS SEEMINGLY STICK TO GROUND AND SQUEAL. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR WHEN ACCELERATING WHEN ON A HILL OR INCLINE. I'VE HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL DIFFERENT ANSWERS ABOUT WHAT THIS COULD BE BUT NOTHING DEFINITIVE. WAS TOLD MAKE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE 4TH CLUTCH PISTON AND FRICTION PLATES. ALSO WHEN DRIVING CAR IS ABLE TO BE MOVED INTO DIFFERENT GEARS, GEAR BOX SHOULD NOT MOVE WHEN CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN PLACED INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR (P, R, D, 3, 2, 1). THERE HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUES W/ THOSE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE LIGHT DOES NOT DISPLAY SHOWING THAT IT RECOGNIZES A BODY IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. CHECKED W/ GM NO KNOWN RECALLS FOR ANY OF THIS ISSUES BUT THEY ARE ALL POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10592841
30,000 miles · May 11, 2014
Steering
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A PRIVATE PARTY IN OCT. OF 2013. WE HAVE NOTICED A SOUND WHEN WE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HAS THERE BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WITH THESE CARS? WE TRIED STEERING WHEEL FLUID BUT IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587670
158,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WORK SPORADICALLY ON ALL DOORS. THEY SEEM TO LOCK WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE, BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN SHIFTED TO PARK OR WHEN YOU PUSH THE POWER UNLOCK BUTTON. A RELATED PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHERE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. REPLACED THE CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER…
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AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WORK SPORADICALLY ON ALL DOORS. THEY SEEM TO LOCK WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE, BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN SHIFTED TO PARK OR WHEN YOU PUSH THE POWER UNLOCK BUTTON. A RELATED PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WHERE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. REPLACED THE CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE THAT WAS CORRODED, NOW EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. I DON'T WANT TO SPEND $200 TO REPLACE ANOTHER CABLE. IF I POUND THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR JUST RIGHT AND IN THE RIGHT SPOT, I CAN GET IT TO OPEN. THE LOCK MECHANISM IS NOT OPENING ALL THE DOORS - I HAVE BEEN STUCK INSIDE THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES WHERE I NEEDED TO CRAWL OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE BEFORE I FIXED THE DRIVERS DOOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577854
67,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,500.
NHTSA ODI #10576362
50,000 miles · Mar 22, 2014
Service Brakes
STEERING IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE. OCCURS ALL THE TIME. APPLYING THE BRAKE MAY PLAY A PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574207
66,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING UP A LONG INCLINE ON I-10 VEHICLE BEHAVED AS IF THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND KEY REMOVED. IE: ENGINE OFF, NO LIGHTS OR ACCESSORIES, NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DASH. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND MY WIFE WAS FORTUNATE TO SAFELY COAST INTO SHOULDER. INCIDENT RECORDED WITH BUICK, HAVE REFERENCE NUMBER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573586
88,000 miles · Dec 16, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFire
DRIVING AT 45MPH, SMELLED SMOKE FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE DRIVING TIME, THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER CUT OFF. GOT SOMEONE TO HELP PUSH THE CAR OFF ROAD WHEN ANOTHER PERSON NOTICE THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED BUT ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY ENGU…
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DRIVING AT 45MPH, SMELLED SMOKE FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE DRIVING TIME, THE ENGINE AND ALL POWER CUT OFF. GOT SOMEONE TO HELP PUSH THE CAR OFF ROAD WHEN ANOTHER PERSON NOTICE THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED BUT ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. POLICE AND FIRE MARSHALL DETERMINED FIRE CAME FROM ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX INITIALLY. CAR WAS TOTALED BY INSURANCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556250
60,000 miles · Oct 22, 2013
TiresWheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE HEARD A CLICK NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE HUBCAP WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE VALVE STEM, WEARING THE RUBBER DOWN TO THE METAL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE OTHER TIRES EXHIBITED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE HEARD A CLICK NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE HUBCAP WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE VALVE STEM, WEARING THE RUBBER DOWN TO THE METAL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE OTHER TIRES EXHIBITED THE SAME DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ ALL FOUR OF THE VALVE STEMS WERE WORN DOWN TO WHERE THE RUBBER WAS MOLDED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #10548929
54,765 miles · Sep 13, 2013
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WERE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROADWAY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HIGH BEAMS WERE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROADWAY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,765.
NHTSA ODI #10543476
128,000 miles · Aug 26, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA ODI #10537237
Official recalls
3Aug 14, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.
Jun 23, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Oct 31, 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
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
1RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
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