NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
9 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 13, 2025
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
I have a continuous problem where the vehicle goes into limp mode/reduce power mode it studders and stalls out. The check engine and stabilitrak light comes on. It is extreamly dangerous at it happens on the road and in traffic. I have thousands of dollars, a new thortle body sensor, a new crank positioner, new timing chain, new…
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I have a continuous problem where the vehicle goes into limp mode/reduce power mode it studders and stalls out. The check engine and stabilitrak light comes on. It is extreamly dangerous at it happens on the road and in traffic. I have thousands of dollars, a new thortle body sensor, a new crank positioner, new timing chain, new ECM, new gaskets and so much more.
NHTSA ODI #11648213
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2021
Power Train
MY 2013 BUICK REGAL VIN:[XXX] IS HAVING ONE OF THE 3 RECALL ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE LISTED. ISSUE #13V173, MY CAR WILL NOT START AND THE BATTERY IS LOSING POWER. I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY IS GOOD AS WELL AS THE ALTERNATOR BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO BUICK, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GENERAL CONTROL MODULE. UN…
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MY 2013 BUICK REGAL VIN:[XXX] IS HAVING ONE OF THE 3 RECALL ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE LISTED. ISSUE #13V173, MY CAR WILL NOT START AND THE BATTERY IS LOSING POWER. I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY IS GOOD AS WELL AS THE ALTERNATOR BUT WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO BUICK, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE GENERAL CONTROL MODULE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE NHTSA DOES NOT HAVE MY VIN LISTED AS ONE OF THE AFFECTED 2013 REGAL MODELS BUT IN MY OPINION, IT SHOULD BE LISTED. I AM ATTACHING A SCREENSHOT OF THE PART AND REPAIR LISTED FOR MY VEHICLE. THE PART IS $929 TO REPLACE. 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 #11398766
81,290 miles · Sep 14, 2020
EnginePower TrainSteeringFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION, STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ANOTHER WHEN TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ROLL DRIVER SIDE WINDOW UP, THE TRUNK OPEN AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER INDEPENDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION, STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ANOTHER WHEN TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ROLL DRIVER SIDE WINDOW UP, THE TRUNK OPEN AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER INDEPENDENTLY START TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ED MARTIN BUICK GMC, 9896 N MICHIGAN RD, CARMEL, IN 46032, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. FIVE CODE ALSO CAME UP, P0131, P0016, P0017, P0014 AND P0171. AND LEAVING THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN, BALANCE CHAFF, CHAIN KIT, TIMING COVER GASKET SET, CAM COVER GASKET SET AND TWO CAMSHAFT SENSORS, WERE REPLACED. THE WHILE LEAVING THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION, HEAT BLOWING AT THE FLOW BOARD AN UNKNOWN ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE CABIN COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BUICK DEALER. WHILE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER, THE PARK TO DRIVE GEAR WAS CLUNKING AND JERKING FROM 3RD TO 2ND AND 4TH TO 3RD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN SEVEN TIMES TO THE SAME DEALER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION AND JERKING IN GEARS, HEAT ENTERING THE VEHICLE CABIN AND SQUEALING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BATTERY COVER WAS MELTED ON ONE SIDE. NO INDICATION ON THE OVERHEAT THAT LEVEL THE TEMPERATURE GAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,290.
NHTSA ODI #11354914
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
AT LESS THAN 90K MILES MY POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING STAY STUCK IN A LOW GEAR WHILE I AM DRIVING. I TURN OFF THE CAR AND START IT AGAIN AND IT'S FINE. MY COMPUTER SCREEN WILL GO BLACK AND STAY THAT WAY, WHICH CONTR…
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AT LESS THAN 90K MILES MY POWER STEERING ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL ABRUPTLY WITHOUT WARNING STAY STUCK IN A LOW GEAR WHILE I AM DRIVING. I TURN OFF THE CAR AND START IT AGAIN AND IT'S FINE. MY COMPUTER SCREEN WILL GO BLACK AND STAY THAT WAY, WHICH CONTROLS THE RADIO, NAVIGATION, ETC., THEN IT WILL BEGIN WORKING AGAIN AFTER A FEW MINUTES, HOURS, DAYS, JUST WHENEVER IT DECIDES TO START WORKING. THE SCREEN HAS ALSO HAD RAPID MOVING LINES OF BLACK AND WHITE. MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL WORKS, BUT YET IT CONSTANTLY HAS A RAPID TURN SIGNAL SOUND LIKE IT IS GOING OUT OR IS OUT, YET EVEN WHEN I CHANGE THE BULB IT STILL MAKES THE SOUND. THE POWER STEERING I JUST FIXED A MONTH AGO, ALL OTHER ISSUES ARE ON GOING.
NHTSA ODI #11244548
66,450 miles · Sep 8, 2018
Power TrainStructureVehicle Speed Control
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND STOPPED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, RUNNING INTO A WOODEN RAIL FENCE. THE FENCE WHICH WAS OLD, WAS KNOCKED DOWN. IT ALL HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, I WASN'T SURE IF I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. TWO DAYS LATER I MADE A NORMAL STOP IN TRAFFIC. AFTER BREAKING, THE CAR LURCHE…
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I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND STOPPED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD, RUNNING INTO A WOODEN RAIL FENCE. THE FENCE WHICH WAS OLD, WAS KNOCKED DOWN. IT ALL HAPPENED SO QUICKLY, I WASN'T SURE IF I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. TWO DAYS LATER I MADE A NORMAL STOP IN TRAFFIC. AFTER BREAKING, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. I PUSHED ON THE BREAK PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR, BEFORE IT COULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS TIME I WAS SURE MY FOOT HAD NOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL. I AM NOW GIVING THE CAR EXTRA BREAKING DISTANCE. IN EITHER CASE, I DIDN'T NOTICE IF THE TACHOMETER INCREASED RPM OR NOT, THOUGH WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION RPM MUST HAVE INCREASED.
NHTSA ODI #11128252
165,000 miles · Jul 27, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS CHILD WHO OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER NOTICED DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE E-ASSIST FUNCTION ACTIVATED. AFTER THE DEBRIS WAS REMOVED FROM THE ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS CHILD WHO OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER NOTICED DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE E-ASSIST FUNCTION ACTIVATED. AFTER THE DEBRIS WAS REMOVED FROM THE ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VYLETEL VOLKSWAGEN BUICK GMC (40555 VAN DYKE AVE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313, (586) 977-2800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA ODI #11114113
40,000 miles · Dec 5, 2017
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PARALLEL PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK REGAL. WHILE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PARALLEL PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DALESSIO CHEVROLET BUICK IN BOONTON, NJ, 973-334-2000) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS AN UNKNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #11052562
28,300 miles · Oct 22, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
I HAVE A BUICK POWER ADD ON SYSTEM THAT IS 50 STATE CARB LEGAL CALLED THE STAGE ONE KIT OFFERED BY GM THE KIT CONSISTS OF AN AIR INTAKE AND A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION. AMONG ALL THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR THEIR FINAL SOLUTION WAS TO INSTALL THE OEM CALIBRATION AND FUEL TABLES BUT LEAVE THE THE STAGE ONE KIT INSTALLED…
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I HAVE A BUICK POWER ADD ON SYSTEM THAT IS 50 STATE CARB LEGAL CALLED THE STAGE ONE KIT OFFERED BY GM THE KIT CONSISTS OF AN AIR INTAKE AND A SOFTWARE CALIBRATION. AMONG ALL THE ISSUES I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE CAR THEIR FINAL SOLUTION WAS TO INSTALL THE OEM CALIBRATION AND FUEL TABLES BUT LEAVE THE THE STAGE ONE KIT INSTALLED. I BELIEVE THIS MAKES MY CAR NON-50 STATE EMISSIONS COMPLIANT. PART NUMBER FOR STAGE KIT IS 12653664. THE ISNTALLATION MANUAL SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS NOT DRIVING WITHOUT THE CALIBRATION UPDATE FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE NO WAY OF PUTTING IT BACK IN.
NHTSA ODI #10918057
28,300 miles · Oct 22, 2016
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
CODES PRESENT IN COMPUTER ARE P1101 AIR INTAKE PERFORMANCE, P0101 MASS AIR FLOW CIRCUIT A FAILURE. THE CAR HAS REDUCED POWER AND SURGING DURING ACCELERATION. STUMBLING AT START UP. THE VEHICLE'S TURBO WASTEGATE FAILS TO CLOSE BEFORE 3,500 RPM THEREFORE CAUSING A SEVERE SPOOL TIME ON TURBOCHARGER THE MANUFACTURE IS UNABLE TO …
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CODES PRESENT IN COMPUTER ARE P1101 AIR INTAKE PERFORMANCE, P0101 MASS AIR FLOW CIRCUIT A FAILURE. THE CAR HAS REDUCED POWER AND SURGING DURING ACCELERATION. STUMBLING AT START UP. THE VEHICLE'S TURBO WASTEGATE FAILS TO CLOSE BEFORE 3,500 RPM THEREFORE CAUSING A SEVERE SPOOL TIME ON TURBOCHARGER THE MANUFACTURE IS UNABLE TO REPAIR AS PER THE 4 MONTHS THE CAR HAS BEEN BEING DIAGNOSED AND FINALLY THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS ADMITTED THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. CORPORATE GM IN INVOLVED ALONG WITH FIELD TECHNICIANS. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO ME STILL FAILING NOW HAS ACTIVE CODES FOR U0100 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH ECM, U0140 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH BODY CONTROL MODULE, U0128 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH PARKING BRAKE MODULE, U0073 COMMUNICATION BUS A OFF, U0101 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SINCE THE CAN-BUS IS FAILING THE CAR IS NOW TRYING TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #10918054
Official recalls
6Feb 26, 2026
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012–2013 Buick Regal Turbo and GS trim-level vehicles that were sold or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, 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. The rear suspension toe links may have received improper corrosion protection, which can result in rear toe link fracture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Rear toe link fracture can cause a loss of vehicle control, 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 April 3, 2026. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N252537580. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall numbers 20V764, 21V633, and 21V00F.
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.
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.
Oct 4, 2012
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Buick Regal and model year 2013 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with two turn signal bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two front turn signal bulbs burn out in either front turn signal lamp, there is no indication to the driver. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the driver is not aware that a turn signal is not functioning properly, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle. If half of a front turn signal is not illuminating, other driver's may not be aware that the affected vehicle is turning, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 12212.
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