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2008 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Buick Lacrosse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

200 reports with mileage · 50 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 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Steering complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2018
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

I SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY SENIOR CITIZEN MOTHER WHO IS 75 YEARS OLD. MY MOM HAD A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE & GOT LOCKED INSIDE OF HER BUICK CAR FOR OVER 1/2 HOUR & COULD NOT UNLOCK ANY OF 4 CAR DOORS FROM INSIDE TO ESCAPE OUT OF HER CAR. PLUS, KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION & CAR WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT WAS WINTER SEASON …

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I SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY SENIOR CITIZEN MOTHER WHO IS 75 YEARS OLD. MY MOM HAD A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE & GOT LOCKED INSIDE OF HER BUICK CAR FOR OVER 1/2 HOUR & COULD NOT UNLOCK ANY OF 4 CAR DOORS FROM INSIDE TO ESCAPE OUT OF HER CAR. PLUS, KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION & CAR WHEEL LOCKED UP. IT WAS WINTER SEASON !! CAR WAS STATIONERY. ALL CAR WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP SO MY MOM COULD NOT GET ANY HEAT NOR FRESH AIR. MY MOM COULD HAVE FROZE TO DEATH INSIDE OF HER CAR !! MORE SCARY -- WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN NOR HOW LONG THE NEXT LOCKOUT WILL LAST !! CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE !! ESPECIALLY FOR A SENIOR CITIZEN PERSON. WE ARE AMAZED THAT BUICK DID NOT YET ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. I FOUND BUICK FORUMS ON THE INTERNET WHERE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINED OF SAME RELATED PROBLEMS !! I EMAILED ALL 7 WEBSITES TO BCR. SOME PEOPLE CANNOT EVEN UNLOCK DRIVER CAR DOOR TO INTO GET INTO DRIVER'S SEAT !! THEY HAVE TO ENTER THEIR CARS THRU PASSENGER & CRAWL OVER TO PASSENGER CAR SEAT OR ENTER FROM BACKSEAT OF THE CAR !! OBVIOUSLY BUICK & GM NEVER DID ANYTHING YET ABOUT THIS SCARY & ANNOYING PROBLEM !! ON MARCH 16 2018 I OPENED A NEW CASE #8-4000469674 WITH BUICK CUSTOMER RELATIONS (BCR). THEY FLAGGED THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE !! BCR SAID BUICK WILL ONLY WORK WITH A BUICK CAR DEALER ON THIS ISSUE IF MY MOM BRINGS HER CAR TO A BUICK CAR DEALER. SO WE MADE AN APPT FOR THIS MONDAY, APRIL 16 8:30AM AT FOX VALLEY BUICK (FVB) IN ST. CHARLES, IL TO GET HER BUICK CAR DIAGNOSED !! BCR WILL WORK WITH FVB & CEM (CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGER). CLEARLY -- THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE !! IN HOT HEAT OR WINTER COLD -- A PERSON CAN LITERALLY SUFFOCATE OR FREEZE BEING A TRAPPED PRISONER INSIDE OF THEIR CAR !!! 2 BCR REPS FAILED TO CALL ME BACK OVER 4 DAYS. ONE BCR REP WAS SUPERVISOR. BUT I WAS DILIGENT & I FOLLOWED UP WITH BCR !!

NHTSA ODI #11085106

90,696 miles · Jun 29, 2016
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POLE, GAS METER, AND TREE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POLE, GAS METER, AND TREE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED FACIAL AND HAND INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED STOMACH INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,696.

NHTSA ODI #10881491

136,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL AND MOTHER BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, B…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL AND MOTHER BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST COIL REPLACEMENT, HE ASKED THE DEALER IF IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT IN 2012, IN WHICH THE COIL AND MOTHER BOARD WERE REPLACED, THE EXACT FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2015. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE COIL AND MOTHER BOARD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $700. DURING BOTH INCIDENTS, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING. UPDATED 01/05/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10762846

94,000 miles · Dec 11, 2014
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlWheels

THE VEHICLE START MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND IT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CUTS OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER I SAT FOR A WHILE BUT IT IS STILL MAKING A FUNNY NOISE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC TODAY THAT IT IS THE POWER STEERING. THAT WILL HAVE TO BE FIXED. I AM SURE THAT IT WILL…

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THE VEHICLE START MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND IT KEPT GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CUTS OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER I SAT FOR A WHILE BUT IT IS STILL MAKING A FUNNY NOISE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC TODAY THAT IT IS THE POWER STEERING. THAT WILL HAVE TO BE FIXED. I AM SURE THAT IT WILL COST A LOT OF MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663660

60,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Steering

THERE IS A NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN ID # 10024713 RELATED TO A POWER STEERING LEAK CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PART OR DESIGN. THE BULLETIN RECOMMENDS A TIE DOWN STRAP TO PREVENT HOSE WEAR AND RESULTING LEAKAGE OF FLUID. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND/OR DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING UNIT CAN RESULT FROM THIS LEAK. I BELIEVE BUICK HAS BEEN…

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THERE IS A NHTSA SERVICE BULLETIN ID # 10024713 RELATED TO A POWER STEERING LEAK CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PART OR DESIGN. THE BULLETIN RECOMMENDS A TIE DOWN STRAP TO PREVENT HOSE WEAR AND RESULTING LEAKAGE OF FLUID. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND/OR DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING UNIT CAN RESULT FROM THIS LEAK. I BELIEVE BUICK HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME. I QUESTION WHY GM DID NOT RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM TO REPLACE THE WORN HOSE AND ATTACH A TIE DOWN STRAP BEFORE LEAKAGE WAS FOUND. LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAN BE A SAFETY ISSUE, AS SEEN WITH THE CURRENT IGNITION RECALLS. GM IS NOT PROVIDING ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658782

38,000 miles · Oct 20, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING COLUMN LATCH ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING COLUMN LATCH ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. UPDATED 01/22/15*CN UPDATED 01/26/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10648865

102,000 miles · Oct 16, 2014
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10648182

100,000 miles · Oct 6, 2014
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN NOSE AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED A BROKEN NOSE AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10641771

93,677 miles · Oct 6, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

I WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. I HAD ALL I COULD DO TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE NEITHER THE BRAKES OR POWER STEERING WOULD WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641598

72,851 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON ALTERNATE 69 HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AT 5:00 P.M., MY VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOSS POWER EVEN THOUGH I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SLOWED TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET IN THE SHOULDER LANE BECAUSE I HAD NO PICKUP (UNABLE T…

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WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON ALTERNATE 69 HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AT 5:00 P.M., MY VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOSS POWER EVEN THOUGH I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE SLOWED TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE AND WAS UNABLE TO GET IN THE SHOULDER LANE BECAUSE I HAD NO PICKUP (UNABLE TO GIVE GAS TO ACCELERATE) SO MY HUSBAND AND I WERE CAUGHT IN FIVE 5:00 TRAFFIC WITH CARS WHIPPING AROUND US ON BOTH SIDES AND MANY EXCEEDING 65 MPH. I PUT ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED ON-STAR. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THANK GOD FOR ON-STAR BECAUSE FROM THAT POINT ON, I WAS IN TERROR WITNESSING CARS COMING UPON US NOT SLOWING UNTIL THEY REALIZED I WAS AT A STAND STILL WITH LIGHTS FLASHING. THE CARS WOULD SWERVE TO KEEP FROM HITTING US. IT TOOK THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND POLICE 15 MINUTES TO GET TO US BUT DURING THAT TIME, I RELIVED VISIONS OF US BEING KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY. I CAN'T DESCRIBE THE HORROR, LOOKING OUT MY REAR VIEW MIRROR, WITNESSING OUR DEMISE TIME AFTER TIME. THOSE 15 MINUTES SEEMED LIKE AN ETERNITY. WHEN THE HIGHWAY PATROL ARRIVED THEY CLOSED LANES AND ASSISTED IN PUSHING CAR OUT OF THE HIGHLY TRAFFIC LANES. IT TOOK MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH TO TURN THE STEERING WHILE IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CONKLIN FANGMAN KC DEALERSHIP AND I HAD TO REPLACE IGNITION COIL AND MODULE THAT COST ME $933.16. THEY SAID THESE PARTS WERE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, WHICH I HAVE FOUND OUT SINCE THEN GM HAS PUT DEALERSHIPS ON NOTICE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH SUPPLYING ENOUGH MANUFACTURED PARTS TO TAKE CARE OF RECALL. IF I COULD AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR I WOULD BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE ANY LONGER IN THIS CAR. EMOTIONALLY I AM STILL SUFFERING FROM THE TRAUMA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616120

Official recalls

2

15V519000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 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.

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

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.

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

1

RQ17002 · 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.