NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
129 reportsMileage unknown · Oct 30, 2013
Equipment
2013 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR VIEW CAMERA PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE, THE IMAGE ON THE NAVIGATOR SCREEN WAS SUPPOSED TO SHOW A YELLOW GUIDELINE TO ASSIST IN ORIENTING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS BEING BACKED UP. THE GUIDELINES WERE A CRITICAL FEATURE OF…
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2013 BUICK LACROSSE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR VIEW CAMERA PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE, THE IMAGE ON THE NAVIGATOR SCREEN WAS SUPPOSED TO SHOW A YELLOW GUIDELINE TO ASSIST IN ORIENTING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS BEING BACKED UP. THE GUIDELINES WERE A CRITICAL FEATURE OF THE REAR VIEW CAMERA. THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING THOSE GUIDELINES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL GM REPRESENTATIVES AND THEY REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SAFETY PROBLEM. A FULLY FUNCTIONAL REAR VIEW CAMERA IS A SAFETY NECESSITY WITH THE VEHICLE, SINCE IT HAS A VERY SMALL NARROW BACK WINDOW. COMPOUNDING THE PROBLEM WAS THE UNRELIABILITY OF THE NAVIGATION SCREEN. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FIXED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. WHEN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WENT BLANK, THE REAR VIEW CAMERA DID NOT WORK.
NHTSA ODI #10550205
9,000 miles · Aug 27, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. ..UP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. ..UPDATE 04-10-14 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10537519
1,206 miles · Aug 20, 2013
Power Train
THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 45 TO 50 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTS CAUSING THE MOTOR TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS COMPLETELY RELEASED THE SPEED IS QUICKLY REDUCED LIKE THE BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED...TO MAINTAIN A SPEED OF 25 TO 30 MPH THE MOT…
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THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 45 TO 50 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTS CAUSING THE MOTOR TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS COMPLETELY RELEASED THE SPEED IS QUICKLY REDUCED LIKE THE BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED...TO MAINTAIN A SPEED OF 25 TO 30 MPH THE MOTOR RPM HAS TO BE IN THE 3500 RANGE. THIS CONDITION REMAINS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THEN IT RETURNS BACK TO NORMAL OPERATIONS. THIS VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR CORRECTION BUT THEY SPENT TWO DAYS AND NEVER DID FIND THE PROBLEM. THAT'S WHY I'M SENDING THIS TO YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536414
2,000 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Back Over PreventionElectrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK UP CAMERA WAS EXTREMELY DIM AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO SEE. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK UP CAMERA WAS EXTREMELY DIM AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO SEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521840
4,900 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Air BagsSeats
PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE TOO SENSITIVE. OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DETECT ADULT SIZED PASSENGERS. HOWEVER A SMALL PURSE (6LBS) IS SUFFICIENT TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE AND RING THE CHIMES ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER IS NOT BELTED IN. TESTED WITH 8 Y/O DA…
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PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE TOO SENSITIVE. OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO DETECT ADULT SIZED PASSENGERS. HOWEVER A SMALL PURSE (6LBS) IS SUFFICIENT TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE AND RING THE CHIMES ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER IS NOT BELTED IN. TESTED WITH 8 Y/O DAUGHTER (43LBS) WITH SAME RESULT. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE SYSTEM AND FOUND IT TO BE PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. BUICK CUSTOMER SERVICE RETURNED MY PHONE CALL AND STATED THAT BASED ON THE MALFUNCTION AND THE VERBIAGE IN BULLETIN 12-09-41-002A THIS MALFUNCTION IS OKAY AND NO FURTHER SERVICE IS REQUIRED. IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT MY 2007 YUKON XL DENALI REQUIRES A WEIGHT OF APPROXIMATELY 40 LBS TO ACTIVATE THE SEATBELT INDICATOR AND ABOUT 80LBS TO TURN ON THE AIRBAG. BUICK NEEDS TO BE RECALIBRATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520736
50 miles · May 24, 2013
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOWS WOULD CONTINUE TO CLOSE AFTER THE POWER SWITCH WAS NO LONGER BEING ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOWS WOULD CONTINUE TO CLOSE AFTER THE POWER SWITCH WAS NO LONGER BEING ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,800. ..UPDATED 07-05-13 *BF UPDATED 07/12/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10513394
6,357 miles · May 6, 2013
Electrical SystemFire
4/6/2013 MY 2013 BUICK LACROSSE 4 CYLINDER MODEL WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. AT 9PM MY HUSBAND WENT OUTSIDE TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE CAR AND SAW THE CAR ON FIRE WITH FLAMES COMING FROM THE BACK END REAR BUMPER. BY THE TIME HE COULD GET A HOSE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, THE BACK BUMPER, THE REAR SIDE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR T…
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4/6/2013 MY 2013 BUICK LACROSSE 4 CYLINDER MODEL WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. AT 9PM MY HUSBAND WENT OUTSIDE TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE CAR AND SAW THE CAR ON FIRE WITH FLAMES COMING FROM THE BACK END REAR BUMPER. BY THE TIME HE COULD GET A HOSE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, THE BACK BUMPER, THE REAR SIDE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAD ALL MELTED FROM THE HEAT. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE BODY SHOP SINCE 4/8/2013 AND NO WORK CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THE SHOP CAN NOT GET A CRITICAL PART FROM GM. THE PART IS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE EASSIST AND GM DOES NOT HAVE THIS PART IN THEIR PARTS INVENTORY. ON 5/6/2012, I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER CAN ORDER THE PART ONLY NO ONE CAN GIVE A DATE WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE TWO WEEKS OR 6 MONTHS. THE WIRING HARNESS IS WIRED BY HAND AND GM ONLY HAS THE STOCK ON HAND FOR THEIR ASSEMBLY LINE. UNTIL I SAW THE 5/6/2013 ARTICLE ON THE FIRE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL CAR, I HAD THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS ARSON. I NOW BELIEVE THAT I AM DEALING WITH A DEFECTIVE CAR AND NO ONE FROM GM TOLD ME OF A RECALL. I FOUND THE ARTICLE AS A RESULT OF A WEB SEARCH. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR ONE MONTH AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALER TO GET DEFINITIVE INFORMATION ON WHEN PART CAN BE AVAILABLE. THE DEALER HAS TO INSTALL THE WIRING HARNESS PRIOR TO THE BODY SHOP DOING ANY WORK. NOW BASED ON ITS RECALL, I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. TOO COINCIDENTAL!..UPDATED 05/08/13 *BF UPDATED 05/15/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ARSON. UPDATED 05/29/2013*JS *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510864
3,020 miles · Apr 9, 2013
SuspensionCrash
ON SATURDAY, APRIL 7,2013 MY WIFE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A CONDO IN MARCO IS.FL. SHE WAS DRIVING OUR 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. KNOWING THAT THE LACROSSE HAS A LOW FRONT END,SHE SLOWS DOWN TO A CRAWL TO AVOID DRAGGING THE FRONT END ON THE PARKING LOT BLOCKS. SHE IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PARKING LOT AS MY DAUGHTER LIVES THERE AND …
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ON SATURDAY, APRIL 7,2013 MY WIFE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A CONDO IN MARCO IS.FL. SHE WAS DRIVING OUR 2013 BUICK LACROSSE. KNOWING THAT THE LACROSSE HAS A LOW FRONT END,SHE SLOWS DOWN TO A CRAWL TO AVOID DRAGGING THE FRONT END ON THE PARKING LOT BLOCKS. SHE IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PARKING LOT AS MY DAUGHTER LIVES THERE AND SHE HAS PARKED THERE OFTEN. THIS TIME UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT STOP,WENT OVER THE PARKING BLOCKS AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE CAR.THE LACROSSE HAS BEEN CITED FOR A BRAKING PROBLEM BY THE NHTSA AND ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE #13053.THE RECALL SPECIFICALLY NOTES THAT,"A SOFTWARE PROBLEM MAY CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT TO SPORTS MODE REMOVING ANY TRANSMISSION- RELATED ENGINE BRAKING EFFECT." CONSEQUENTLY,"IF ENGINE BRAKING IS UNEXPECTEDLY REMOVED, IT MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH." UPON CONTACTING G.M. BUICK DIVISION, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN# WAS NOT CITED IN THE RECALL. FURTHER, THEY WANTED THAT I BRING THE CAR TO A BUICK DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE ANALYSIS.THIS DEALERSHIP IS 40 MILES AWAY IN NAPLES,FL. I SUGGESTED THAT THEY(BUICK) INSPECT THE CAR AT THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE MY WIFE HAD IT TOWED TO AFTER THE ACCIDENT. AUTOCRAFT, THE REPAIR SHOP, ON MARCO IS.WOULD ALLOW THEM TO DO THEIR ANALYSIS THERE. AN ACCOMMODATION NOT UNIQUE TO THEM. BUICK HAS BALKED AT THIS ARRANGEMENT. WHILE BUICK SUGGESTS THAT THIS RECALL DID NOT COVER MY VIN#. I CAN ONLY WONDER IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE BROADEN IN SCOPE AS MY WIFE'S EXPERIENCE WOULD SUGGEST.IN RETROSPECT, I'M HAPPY THAT THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT UNDER TRAFFIC RELATED CONDITIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505647
4,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) CAME ON; 5 MINUTES LATER CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON WITH WARNING THAT "CHARGING SYSTEM NOT WORKING". SHORTLY THEREAFTER, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THEN ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2012 BUICK LACROSSE LOOKED IN ENGIN…
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VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT (MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP) CAME ON; 5 MINUTES LATER CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON WITH WARNING THAT "CHARGING SYSTEM NOT WORKING". SHORTLY THEREAFTER, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THEN ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2012 BUICK LACROSSE LOOKED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FOUND THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS SHREDDED. VEHICLE BEING TOWED TO DEALER IN MORNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500074
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