**Subject:** Formal Safety Defect Complaint: Premature Failure of Completed Recall Remedy (the federal safety agency Campaign 13V173000 / GM Recall 13136) Resulting in Sudden Loss of Power Steering **VEHICLE INFORMATION** * **Year/Make/Model:** 2012 Buick LaCrosse Hybrid (eAssist) * **VIN:** [XXX] * **Current Mileage:** [Insert Current Mileage] **DESCRIPTION OF SAFETY DEFECT & INCIDENT** This vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign 13V173000 to resolve an inherent defect in the Generator Control Module (GCM) that presents a severe stalling and trunk fire risk. On 9-9-26, under normal driving conditions in ambient temperatures of approximately 95°F and after covering a distance of 10 miles, the manufacturer-installed remedy component suffered a premature, catastrophic thermal failure. The replacement GCM ceased regulating and delivering power to the vehicle’s 12-volt system. The resulting critical voltage drop forced the vehicle into an emergency load-shedding protocol, abruptly disabling the air conditioning system. Shortly thereafter, the severe drop in operating voltage caused a total, sudden failure of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) while the vehicle was actively in motion. The driver was forced to navigate a heavy vehicle entirely without steering assistance, causing an immediate, severe collision hazard. Battery warning symbol activated. I have not taken it to the dealership because of the recall status. **REASON FOR ADVANCED ESCALATION** While the vehicle’s VIN status officially shows "No Incomplete Recalls" because the campaign was previously executed, the remedy part provided by the manufacturer has failed in the exact same manner as the original defective component. By failing prematurely, the safety risk mandated to be fixed by federal law has been completely reintroduced. REQUESTED ACTIONS Manufacturer-Covered Remedy: A goodwill replacement of the failed Generator Control Module and associated diagnostics at no cost to the owner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC
2012 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems
62 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 66,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 62
- of this car's complaints
- 30%
- typical mileage
- 66,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Wiring1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Buick Lacrosse electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Buick Lacrosse electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 13V173000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Sands Chevrolet/Hybrid System Fire/Stall
the federal safety agency 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)).the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency?s information request encompassed all possible reference codes for General Motors recall 13V‑173, the federal safety agency issued another IR letter to Sands Chevrolet on June 8, 2015.Again, a response letter was received on June 9, 2015.the federal safety agency?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.the federal safety agency 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.
AQ14001
Generator Control Module Fires
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
RQ13003
What 2012 Buick Lacrosse owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Shows service stability track
during a regular drive the check stabiltrack system message popped up on the dash in the middle circle and then the little car with the squiggly lines behind it popped up and the check engine light came on and started blinking. Immediately I noticed lack of steering control, the car's speed was accelerating and decelerating on its own, jerking and stalling also was observed. As of now the car sits in my driveway because I don't trust the safety of it. I literally feared my life was in danger driving it because of the lack of handling and the acceleration shifts that were so random. So I returned home, as I pulled into the yard the vehicle jerked hard while I was attempting turn into the driveway causing me to hit my mailbox and damaged the side fender and front bumper. no one was injured but the car was damaged as stated before and I'm scared to drive it anywhere. The unpredictable behavior displayed in the vehicle puts other drivers at risk as well because I can't control the vehicle properly. so I'm guessing all in all its a malfunction somewhere in the electrical system. I have read about recalls in my type of vehicle involving the ESC and it appears to be what is happening with mine. As of now it sits in my driveway I need a remedy and fast because that was my only source of transportation and I'm a single mother of four with a lot to take of and no way to do it.
My 2012 Buick Lacrosse had a recall for Loss control generator control module, The recall was fixed, but recently my car shut off in the middle of the highway for the same issue. The vehicle was towed to the GM Buick Dealer and they quoted me $7, 525.00 for the part because it is an after market part and maybe currently unavailable. This is a safety issue and I could have been hurt. The car has malfunctioned due there recall issue and I feel they should fix the issue as they did before or issue me a newer vehicle. Please help me
Improperly calibrated Stabilitrak ESC system. Accelerator pedal position sensors 1-2 5v reference 3 circuit Heated oxygen 2 sensor Car is losing power and esc light is on along with check engine light
I’m experiencing issues that seem to align with the gcm recall despite my vehicle supposedly being fixed for this recall prior to my purchase of it. I cannot run the heat with the headlights or various combinations of things that would otherwise be normal because the battery will drain within 30 minutes, resulting in the car to going into “battery saver mode” where each system begins to power off one by one which ends with the car losing speed and just turning off and not turning back on. I’ve been stuck and had to jump it more times than I can possibly count due to it not starting or going in the battery saver mode. I’ve noticed a weird odor that smells like burning wires. I’ve owned this car for 3 years and have had these same problems with it since the day I bought it. I’m at the point now where I don’t even drive it unless absolutely necessary because I’m afraid it will shut down or cause an accident. The power steering is always first to shut down and on various occasions, I almost hit someone or something trying to steer off the road. I chose todays date as the “incident occur” date but this has been an ongoing issue since the purchase.
I was not in a car accident! Hoping not to be just want to report this issue.Car kills in mid driving stability track comes on flashing checking engine with stability light and track system light as well! leaves me stranded in the middle of wherever I am! Stability light comes on car will not start back up . It’s takes a while to start back up! Having kids in the car with this issue is a major problem! I have several videos of the car doing it and will try to keep track of it! The check engine light is not on when flashing not reads when I check it just stability lights! The car has been doing this for months now! I’ve read that this is an issue with other Buicks like mines. Please help get this issue resolved the proper way! Also the security comes on when the car does that
My 2012 Buick lacrosse died while driving putting me and my children at risk. Vehicle was then jumped but battery voltage kept decreasing. It says service batter charging. Took to mechanic they said all electric components say low voltage then had battery replaced to see if that would fix it but it did not and I was told it would need to go to dealership to have all parts replaced which is 4k+. Did research and it may relate to the electrical recall made on the cars in 2013.
while driving the Electronic Stability Control warning light comes on and the car loses power.
Hello my car is stalling out and the stabilìtrak lights comes on with trak symbol. Car does not crank back up until the next day.. it keeps doing this after several days. Im scared to drive this car with the stalling when driving it... PLEASE help me fix this problem.
Questions about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse electrical
Does the 2012 Buick Lacrosse have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 62 complaints about the electrical of the 2012 Buick Lacrosse, 30% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2012 Buick Lacrosse electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 66,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Buick Lacrosse electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 13V173000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Buick Lacrosse have the most electrical problems?
The Buick Lacrosse model years with the most electrical complaints are 2008 (85 complaints), 2006 (84 complaints) and 2005 (80 complaints).
Other 2012 Buick Lacrosse problems
Engine 51Suspension 31Driver assistance 25Steering 24Transmission 24Brakes 16Acceleration 12Fuel system 8Body 7Seats 6Wheels 5Airbags 4Seat belts 4Lights 3Locks 2Tires 1Visibility 1
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