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2013 Buick Lacrosse

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Buick Lacrosse do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

74 reports with mileage · 55 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 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2025
EngineUnknown Or Other

Today is 8.26.2025, I took this car back and left it w/dealership: Let them figure it out! I told them 0ne month after purchase this car is constantly EMPTY with no/Oil. I should not be getting oil changes this often. "Oh, it just burns more Oil and you bought a USED car"...Months later I hear smalls sounds, engine light come…

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Today is 8.26.2025, I took this car back and left it w/dealership: Let them figure it out! I told them 0ne month after purchase this car is constantly EMPTY with no/Oil. I should not be getting oil changes this often. "Oh, it just burns more Oil and you bought a USED car"...Months later I hear smalls sounds, engine light comes on, then goes away, smoke begans to continue spreading behind the BUMPER building a permanent black spot on bumper! It smells, from time to time, plus car feels sluggish when driving past 50mph almost SCARED it will cut off** Now, I gather my funds that I don't have to SPEND (CASH) no CREDITCARD and I proceed to BELLE TIRE! I am on file within their system. (Receipts) They do what they do... apparently no Leaks. But the car is burning too much oil!! too Fast! "Keep an Eye on your Levels"... hmmm* I also got a MAINTENANCE TUNE-UP on my next visit. So far roughly $2000 has been SPENT towards this VEHICLE (Buick). (New Battery also) plus AAA Cost *I have a Membership* Now time continues to move forward this car KNOCKING,CLOUDS of SMOKE, In the car, Outside the car, Around the Car, thru the vents, PULLING, STAHLING, KNOCKING, CLUNCK,CLUNCK,; EMBARASSING!!! My son and I, Oh no... *We the Meat Inside a Barbecue Grill* DROP OFF/ASAP (pulled over Called AAA). (7/24/2024 - 8/25/2025)Owned this car 1Yr!! I need a New Car they wont give me one...I made every monthly payment On time all by WESTERN UNION (receipts). I go into the same store each month 19th -22nd and PAY. They don't want to TRADE-IN either*

NHTSA ODI #11683040

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2023
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

Driveing on Hwy at 68 mph sudenly lost power stearing and all power to everything could not use windows or open doors cause could not unlock could not even turn hasard lights on very danerous

NHTSA ODI #11530007

81,000 miles · Oct 22, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineUnknown Or Other

IN 2018 THE AIR WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT CANE ON. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED AND THEN THE NEXT DAY THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD IT FIXED. THEY SAID THAT BATTERY WAS MISSING A CELL AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, FIXED THE AIR CONDITIONING BASICALLY FIX…

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IN 2018 THE AIR WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT CANE ON. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED AND THEN THE NEXT DAY THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DIED. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD IT FIXED. THEY SAID THAT BATTERY WAS MISSING A CELL AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY, FIXED THE AIR CONDITIONING BASICALLY FIXED ALL ISSUES. FAST FORWARD TO A YEAR TO THE DATE THE SAME ISSUE STARTED AGAIN IN THAT ORDER. THE CAR HAS OFFICIALLY CUT OFF AND I SEARCHED AND THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS COMING UP FOR MY VIN NUMBER.

NHTSA ODI #11270145

71,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED LAST YEAR AROUND THIS TIME WITH AN ISSUE SAYING THAT THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. AT THE TIME I HAD RECENTLY BOUGHT A BATTERY BUT THE SHOP INFORMED IT COULD BE DUE TO A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY 1 YEAR EXACTLY AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURS. IT START WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING DISP…

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I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED LAST YEAR AROUND THIS TIME WITH AN ISSUE SAYING THAT THE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. AT THE TIME I HAD RECENTLY BOUGHT A BATTERY BUT THE SHOP INFORMED IT COULD BE DUE TO A DEAD CELL IN THE BATTERY 1 YEAR EXACTLY AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURS. IT START WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING DISPLAYED THEN IT WILL START SENDING THE MESSAGE AND BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON. THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANOTHER DEAD CELL BATTERY. THERE IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE WITH THE CHARGING SYSTEM OF THESE CARS. THIS WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE WHEN IN ECO MODE TO RESTART CAUSE POWER LOSS WHE DRIVING AND ALSO CAUSE THE RADIO, NAVIGATION ECT TO LOSS BRIGHTNESS. THE CAR RELEASES LOUD SOUND FOR THE A/C AND DEFROST THUMPING AND TICKING ALSO SPUTTERING WHEN ACCELERATOR IS TOUCHED. EVEN WHEN SWITCHING FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR IS WHEN THIS IS HEARD REGARDING WHEN A/C HEAT OR DEFROST IS ON . THIS IS DURING DRIVING OR AFTER STARTING CAR. ORIGINALLY HAPPENED 10/12/18 HAPPENING AGAIN AS OF 10/18/2019

NHTSA ODI #11269859

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2019
Unknown Or Other

CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #11258928

130,000 miles · Jun 30, 2018
Unknown Or Other

BATTERY ISN'T CHARGING, CAR WILL STALL FREQUENTLY. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE, BUT HAS GOTTEN INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS

NHTSA ODI #11104847

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2017
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY MAKE A DOUBLE BONG SIGNAL WITH NO ASSOCIATED WARNING LIGHTS. SOUNDS IS NOT THE SAME AS A SEAT BELT SOUND. WILL OCCUR UNDER VARIABLE CONDITIONS, MOVING STOPPED TURNING, HIGHWAYS, CITY STREETS ETC. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND CAN OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES A DRIVING PERIOD. (IE DIFFERENT …

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VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY MAKE A DOUBLE BONG SIGNAL WITH NO ASSOCIATED WARNING LIGHTS. SOUNDS IS NOT THE SAME AS A SEAT BELT SOUND. WILL OCCUR UNDER VARIABLE CONDITIONS, MOVING STOPPED TURNING, HIGHWAYS, CITY STREETS ETC. HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND CAN OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES A DRIVING PERIOD. (IE DIFFERENT TIMES YESTERDAY) SOUND APPEARS TO PREDOMINANTLY BE CONCENTRATED ON RIGHT SIDE OF CAR BUT HAS APPEARED TO COME FROM DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF DRIVER POSITION A COUPLE OF TIMES. CONCERNED IT COULD BE A SAFETY CONDITION. UNABLE TO REPLICATE TO DEALERSHIP SINCE OCCURRENCES ARE RANDOM BUT ONGOING .

NHTSA ODI #10945263

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2016
Unknown Or OtherInjury

MY MOTHER HAD STOPPED HER CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY . THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING . SHE REACHED OVER INSIDE THE CAR AND PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON TO STOP THE MOTOR ( WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR )THE CAR ROLLED BACK PULLING HER UNDER IT RUNNING HER OVER AND KILLED HER. I WAS KNOCKED DOWN BY THE DOOR AND DRUG INTO THE STREET

NHTSA ODI #10893734

62,000 miles · Apr 1, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

PURCHASED CAR A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO AND IN THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE PROBLEMS THAT CONTINUES TO OCCUR IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR CANNOT STAY RUNNING. IT LOSES POWER AT STOP LIGHTS, BEEN PUSHED AT GAS STATIONS AND HAS EVEN STOPPED RUNNING PULLING ONTO THE INTERS…

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PURCHASED CAR A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS AGO AND IN THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES. THE PROBLEMS THAT CONTINUES TO OCCUR IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR CANNOT STAY RUNNING. IT LOSES POWER AT STOP LIGHTS, BEEN PUSHED AT GAS STATIONS AND HAS EVEN STOPPED RUNNING PULLING ONTO THE INTERSTATE. TAKEN IT TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND EACH TIME THEY CLAIM TO HAVE "FIXED" IT. THIS CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWO WEEKS AGO EXACTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO STOP RUNNING (FULL TANK OF GAS) FOR NO REASON. I DO NOT HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CAR TO DRIVE, SO WHEN IT IS IN THE SHOP I HAVE TO RENT ONE OR BORROW ONE, ALONG WITH THE COSTS TO GET THIS CAR "FIXED" I AM LOOKING AT ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS SINCE NOVEMBER 2015. THE BUICK DEALERSHIP IN TWIN FALLS, IDAHO NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND GET IT FIXED FOR GOOD. THIS IS NOT OK. WHO SPENDS THIS MUCH MONEY ON A 2013 CAR, ONLY TO HAVE REPAIR BILLS AND A CAR THAT IS STILL NOT FIXED! ON A SIDE NOTE, WEREN'T A LARGE MAJORITY OF 2013 BUICK LACROSSE'S RECALLED? IF SO, I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED. SHAME ON YOU BUICK FOR SELLING SUCH A POOR RUNNING AND UNSAFE CARE AND SHAME ON ROB GREEN BUICK IN TWIN FALLS, IDAHO FOR NOT FIXING A PROBLEM AFTER OUR CAR HAS BEEN IN YOUR SHOP AT LEAST FOUR TIMES SINCE NOVEMBER 2015 FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10852847

Official recalls

5

21V00F000 · Suspension:rear

Dec 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.

21V633000 · Suspension:rear

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.

20V764000 · Suspension:rear

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.

13V173000 · Electrical System

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.

13V097000 · Electrical System:software; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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

2

AQ14001 · 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