NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
125 reportsClear category filter82,000 miles · Dec 3, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS FAILED AS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE WAS ALSO EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SMOKE HAD ORIGINATED FROM THE FUSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS FAILED AS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE WAS ALSO EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SMOKE HAD ORIGINATED FROM THE FUSE BOX, WHICH HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10554583
60,459 miles · Aug 19, 2013
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE ENGINE AND ACTIVATED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BUT THEY WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM MODULAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE ENGINE AND ACTIVATED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BUT THEY WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM MODULAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,459.
NHTSA ODI #10536149
88,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW NOT TURNING ON AT NIGHT OR THEY BEGIN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF CAUSING ME TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON.. BUT TODAY I SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AS I PARKED AND EXITED MY CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT TURNS OUT THE RELAY FOR THE HEADLAMPS…
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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS NOW NOT TURNING ON AT NIGHT OR THEY BEGIN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF CAUSING ME TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON.. BUT TODAY I SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AS I PARKED AND EXITED MY CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT TURNS OUT THE RELAY FOR THE HEADLAMPS WAS BURNING AND MELTED. I REMOVED IT BUT IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE OTHER RELAYS NEXT TO THIS ONE AND MELTED THE ACTUAL FUSE CENTER. I HAVEN'T CHECKED FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS OF MY CAR YET BUT I WILL IN THE MORNING... THIS LOOKS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE AND STILL NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10526040
76,500 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
NIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY GO OUT. BAD. HIGH BEAMS ARE OK. FOG LIGHTS ARE OK FORTUNATELY SO I COULD DRIVE HOME SAFELY. TURN SIGNALS NORMAL. ONLY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED. THEY RESUMED WORKING THE NEXT VEHICLE USE, THE NEXT DAY. *TR UPDATED 9/19/13 *CN UPDATED 09/24/2013 *JS …
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NIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY GO OUT. BAD. HIGH BEAMS ARE OK. FOG LIGHTS ARE OK FORTUNATELY SO I COULD DRIVE HOME SAFELY. TURN SIGNALS NORMAL. ONLY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS APPEAR TO BE AFFECTED. THEY RESUMED WORKING THE NEXT VEHICLE USE, THE NEXT DAY. *TR UPDATED 9/19/13 *CN UPDATED 09/24/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10523761
82,000 miles · Jun 15, 2013
Exterior LightingSteeringStructure
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS TERRIFIED. TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT FIX IT. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN 2009 AND HAD COMPLAINED…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS TERRIFIED. TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT FIX IT. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE IN 2009 AND HAD COMPLAINED OF LEAKING SEAL ON THE TOP EDGE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IN THE RAIN. WATER WOULD DRIP ALL OVER MY LEFT ARM, SHOULDER AND ARM REST. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT FIX IT. NOW THE HEADLIGHTS WILL REFUSE TO WORK ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX IT. THE DASH READS HEADLIGHTS SUGGESTED BUT THEY WILL NOT COME ON. I CAN USE THE DIMMER ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS WILL WORK, BUT DRIVING WITH BRIGHT LIGHTS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS DANGEROUS. I NEED TO HAVE A DEALER FIX THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR THROUGH A CAR WASH FOR THE FIRST TIME THE OTHER DAY AND THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ACTING UP AGAIN. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE CONTACT ME AND AUTHORIZE REPAIRS AT THE DEALERSHIP. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE EVEN A SHORT DISTANCE AT NIGHT NOT KNOWING WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS WILL SUDDENLY GO OUT AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW. IT REALLY SCARES ME AND CONCERNS ME THAT A DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED 09/10/13*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING, A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA, AND WATER WOULD DRIP THROUGH THE TOP DOOR, EVERY TIME IT RAINED. ALSO, THERE WAS A VIBRATION ISSUE, SO THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES, BUT IT DIDN'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10519906
63,000 miles · May 2, 2013
Exterior LightingFire
I WAS HAVING INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I WOULD DRIVE AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF, I WOULD PULL OVER AND THEY WOULD COME BACK ON ABOUT 3 MINUTES LATER. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND TRIED REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT RELAY, THIS SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. ON THE NIGHT OF APRIL 13, I WAS AT T…
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I WAS HAVING INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT ISSUES WITH MY CAR, I WOULD DRIVE AND THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF, I WOULD PULL OVER AND THEY WOULD COME BACK ON ABOUT 3 MINUTES LATER. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND TRIED REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT RELAY, THIS SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. ON THE NIGHT OF APRIL 13, I WAS AT THE MALL AND WHEN RETURNING TO MY CAR, IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD THE CAR JUMPED AND THE FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE HEADLIGHT RELAY HAD MELTED AND DESTROYED MY FUSE BOX. I HAD MY FUSE BOX REPLACED AND AGAIN, EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, WHEN I STARTED GETTING THE INTERMITTENT ISSUE AGAIN. LAST NIGHT, MAY 1ST, MY CAR AGAIN DIED. THIS TIME, ALL FUSES AND RELAYS WERE REMOVED BEFORE JUMP STARTING MY CAR, BUT YOU CAN LOOK AT THE RELAY AND SEE THAT IT HAS BEEN MELTING ONCE AGAIN. I'VE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND CAN'T FIND A PROPER FIX FOR THIS. THE RELAY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND IT'S NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510443
67,300 miles · Apr 20, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiperFire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE NIGHT THE LOW BEAMS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I WAS FORCE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER. INSIDE THE CAR I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. ONCE I PULLED OVER I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT THE FUSE BLOCK UNDER THE HOOD WAS ON FIRE, WHICH HOLD FUS…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE NIGHT THE LOW BEAMS SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I WAS FORCE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER. INSIDE THE CAR I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. ONCE I PULLED OVER I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THAT THE FUSE BLOCK UNDER THE HOOD WAS ON FIRE, WHICH HOLD FUSES AND RELAYS. THE TWO RELAYS THAT WAS AFFECTED WERE THE LOW BEAM AND HIGH WINDSHIELD WIPER, SO THEY NO LONGER WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508895
82,000 miles · Aug 29, 2012
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL FREEWAY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT AND COULD NOT BE TURNED ON MANUALLY. HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THAT TIME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT NIGHT AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472951
70,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10472574
45,000 miles · Dec 14, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, SUDDENLY THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED WHICH ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN IND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, SUDDENLY THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ENGAGED WHICH ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10439857
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
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK IS MISSING THE ADHESIVE LAYER THAT BONDS THE BARRIER LAYER TO THE OUTER SHELL OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WITH THIS CONDITION, FUEL AND/OR FUEL VAPORS COULD SEEP OUT BETWEEN THE LAYERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SERIAL NUMBER ON THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
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.