2005 Buick Lacrosse: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Steering · 64,000 miles · AK

Pulled into parking lot and lost power steering. Lots of clunking and grinding just prior. Mechanic says power steering hoses, rack and pinion and tie rods. Yet another problem with this vehicle. Gm was aware enough of the problem that they put a supervisor on the line but said that it is out of warranty now, so it's not their problem. Going to try to work with local guys to get out of it. Not sinking another penny into this car. If this had happened on the highway, I'd be dead.

Filed Oct 27, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 84,700 miles · MD

A creaking sound was noticed usually when turning the steering wheel or in a constant state turn mostly at speeds below 40 MPH. Car was taken to a gm (buick ) dealer garage and it was diagnosed as the rack and pinion. Dealer recommended replacing the rack and pinion, tie rods, power steering pump and hose and also recommended replacing the struts. I took the car to a garage that does md state inspections to have the car inspected and they quickly found the issue....the front stabilizer bar was fatigue cracked completely through at the attach point on one end and only the bolt was holding it together. The stabilizer bar was replaced and the noise went away. If I had taken the gm dealer's advice I would have spent at least $1,850 and still had the problem. The mech. At the inspection station says that this is a chronic problem with certain gm makes/models.

Filed Dec 13, 2011 · Steering · GA

Date of repair 02/16/2011 mileages: 039610 replaced left and right outer tie rods, discovered worn when they balanced both sides. There was always a clucking noise in the steering when I took it in for repair. After the repair it still retain the clucking noise and so decided to go on line and much to my surprise there were many complaints about this clucking noise in the steering column. What I want to know is there something being done about this defective and is it life threading. Will the government force a recall to fix the problem. Thank you

Filed Mar 8, 2011 · Steering · 35,143 miles · IL

My vehicle was experiencing clunking whenever I turned the steering wheel while driving with less than 35,000 miles on it. It had become progressively worse over the past few months. The steering also felt a bit loose. I contacted gm for vehicle recalls and there was one on the steering column but not for my vehicle or the intermediate shaft which as it turns out was the defective part and the shaft was loose internally. Gm insisted I go to a gm dealer for service to see if I "might" be eligible for replacement assistance. I told them I had a certified mechanic who was closer and less expensive. I offered to send them the defective part and they were not interested. Gm stated when I filed my complaint with them that they will not review any vehicle issues unless serviced by a gm dealer. They also offered no opinion when I told them gm has multiple service bulletins on the clunking issue and this defective part. I know of at least 15 similar complaints filed with the federal safety agency. Apparently, gm won't take ownership of defective parts unless someone loses steering, dies and they are sued. So much for customer service. I am curious how many other intermediate shafts have been replaced by gm or other mechanics - maybe hundreds or thousands. I also had to replace two front defective outer tie rod ends at 30,000 miles and this is with gentle driving. Looks like another defective part and dangerous too if not caught in time.

Filed Mar 1, 2011 · Steering · 26,000 miles · FL

I have had to replace the power steering pump, and steering intermediate shaft, both tie rod ends. This is all steering related issues on a buick lacrosse 2005 that had only 26,333 miles. I feel that this auto should not have had these problems at this mileage. I sent a copy of complaint to gm they will do nothing about any of these problems until there would be a recall. This is a safety issue. *tr updated 10/06/11.

Filed Jan 16, 2010 · Suspension · 22,700 miles · PR

Noise in front area, parts replaced front strut, strut mount, tie rod end and front tires, noise still, mechanics mentioned that "cross member is cracked", car only have 22700 miles, they recommended to check if there is a recall for this part, car is in an excellent condition.

Filed Mar 12, 2009 · Acceleration, Brakes · 52,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 buick lacrosse. While driving between 55-60 MPH on normal road conditions, a low power response occurred when the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the brakes were not performing properly and the stopping distance increased. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The failure occurred each time the vehicle is in use. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and the front brake pads were replaced. On a separate occasion, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for identical failures and the tie rod and wheel hub were replaced, and the brake drums were resurfaced. However, the failures still persist. The failure mileage was 52,000. The VIN and current mileage were unknown.