NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
24 reportsClear category filter64,941 miles · Aug 24, 2020
Steering
ON 8-6-2020, (ABOUT 11 AM) WHILE DRIVING (ABOUT 70MPH) NORTH ON I43 IN EASTERN WISCONSIN, AT A POINT NORTH OF SHEBOYGAN, THE MESSAGE 'SERVICE POWER STEERING' APPEARED ON THE DASH. WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE OFF TO A REST STOP, I REALIZED THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF AND REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO GUIDE THE CAR, THE 'ELECTRIC POWER STE…
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ON 8-6-2020, (ABOUT 11 AM) WHILE DRIVING (ABOUT 70MPH) NORTH ON I43 IN EASTERN WISCONSIN, AT A POINT NORTH OF SHEBOYGAN, THE MESSAGE 'SERVICE POWER STEERING' APPEARED ON THE DASH. WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE OFF TO A REST STOP, I REALIZED THE STEERING WAS VERY STIFF AND REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO GUIDE THE CAR, THE 'ELECTRIC POWER STEERING' (EPS) HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD WITH 64941 MILES, LESS THAN 10K MI/YR!!! I CAREFULLY DROVE THE CAR TO BERGSTROM BUICK GMC IN GREEN BAY WIS. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE ENTIRE EPS GEAR BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A COST NEAR $2500. I WAS STUNNED. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT BECAUSE OF THE CARS AGE & ELAPSED MILES, THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED! I FURTHER STATED THAT I COULD UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AFTER 10 YEARS & 100K MILES, BUT NOT BEFORE!! HE REPLIED THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT FAILURES LIKE THIS CAN HAPPEN. EVENTUALLY THE CAR WAS SATISFACTORILY REPAIRED, COPY OF THE BILL ATTACHED. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY A RELIABILITY ISSUE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN MY WIFE & I PURCHASED THE CAR, WE WERE BOTH RETIRED AND DID NOT HAVE THE DAILY GRIND OF DRIVING TO/FROM WORK IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER. IN FACT THE CAR WAS DRIVEN MINIMALLY IN ADVERSE CONDITIONS. WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED, I HAD THE COMPOSURE TO SAFELY STEER/GUIDE THE CAR, HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING, THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE HAD A CATASTROPHIC RESULT. I NOW HAVE 'MUCH PAUSE' ABOUT THE RELIABILITY/SAFETY OF EPS VS HYDRAULIC PS (HPS), IF & WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN! A SIMILAR COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH BUICK GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE.
NHTSA ODI #11350973
100,000 miles · Aug 22, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
MY CAR CUTS OFF AND GIVES WARNING OF BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE WHEN I SLOW TO STOP AT RED LIGHTS OR TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY.. I'VE CHANGED THE BELT AND IT'S STILL DOING IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2017 AND I AM CONCERNED THAT MAYBE THE RECALL WASNT CHANGED FOR EASSIST COMPONENTS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD. I CANT STEARNS MY CAR BEC…
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MY CAR CUTS OFF AND GIVES WARNING OF BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE WHEN I SLOW TO STOP AT RED LIGHTS OR TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY.. I'VE CHANGED THE BELT AND IT'S STILL DOING IT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2017 AND I AM CONCERNED THAT MAYBE THE RECALL WASNT CHANGED FOR EASSIST COMPONENTS. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD. I CANT STEARNS MY CAR BECAUSE IT'S TOO HARD WHEN ENGINE KILLS. IT ITS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING MAJOR IS WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #11350734
121,000 miles · Aug 18, 2020
Steering
WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I BARELY MANAGED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING RETURNED. THE STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT SINCE I PARKED IT AT HOME. I START THE CAR FREQUENTLY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED AND EACH TIME THE STEERING MAY …
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WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I BARELY MANAGED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING RETURNED. THE STEERING HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT SINCE I PARKED IT AT HOME. I START THE CAR FREQUENTLY TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED AND EACH TIME THE STEERING MAY OR MAY NOT WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11350153
70,000 miles · Nov 26, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OCCURRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 13V097000 (POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *LN*JB *DT *DL PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11282470
160,000 miles · Oct 11, 2019
Steering
2013 BUICK LACROSSE - POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE MY 19-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH! STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. GM MUST ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM ON THESE VEHICLES! VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ($2,600) AND IT TOOK 3 WEEKS TO FI…
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2013 BUICK LACROSSE - POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE MY 19-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH! STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. GM MUST ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM ON THESE VEHICLES! VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ($2,600) AND IT TOOK 3 WEEKS TO FIND THE PART DUE TO GM BEING ON STRIKE.
NHTSA ODI #11267837
65,000 miles · Aug 28, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering
RADIO AND DASH COMPONENTS CUT OUT AND GO BLACK. THEN WHEN THEY COME.BACK ON A SERVICE BATTERY MESSAGE COMES ON THE DISPLAY BUT GOES AWAY WITHING A SECOND OR TWO. AND THE POWER STEERING WILL STOP WHILE ALL THIS IS HAPPENING IF TURNING
NHTSA ODI #11252093
43,111 miles · Feb 23, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,111.
NHTSA ODI #11074555
48,000 miles · Jan 10, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WRIGHT BUICK GMC (1703 S 1ST ST, LUFKIN, TX 75901, (936) 465-9023) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WRIGHT BUICK GMC (1703 S 1ST ST, LUFKIN, TX 75901, (936) 465-9023) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA ODI #11061596
79,102 miles · Jun 3, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN BY ITSELF WHEN DRIVING OR SWITCHES GEARS. TOOK TO RICK HENDRIX BUICK IN DULUTH, GA FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. POWER SHORTLY AFTERWARDS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. ALSO CHANGE CAR BATTERY BUT IT CONTINUES TO GRADUALLY LOSE POWER AND GIVES OF A…
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TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN BY ITSELF WHEN DRIVING OR SWITCHES GEARS. TOOK TO RICK HENDRIX BUICK IN DULUTH, GA FOR SERVICE AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. POWER SHORTLY AFTERWARDS WENT OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. ALSO CHANGE CAR BATTERY BUT IT CONTINUES TO GRADUALLY LOSE POWER AND GIVES OF A TYPE OF BURNING BURNING SMELL
NHTSA ODI #10992977
10,000 miles · Apr 4, 2017
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE REVERSING, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE POWER TRAIN WARNING SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #10970441
Official recalls
5Dec 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.
Mar 15, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System:software
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
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