2012 Buick Lacrosse: engine stalls while driving

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Electrical · MO

**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

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · MS · crash

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.

Filed Aug 31, 2024 · Electrical · NY

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.

Filed Jun 16, 2024 · Electrical · TX

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.

Filed Nov 16, 2023 · Engine · 170,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Jun 15, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · IL

While driving stability trac, check engine light flashed and rpm, and speed gauges start going haywire. The car loses power even while accelerating, the steering wheel locks and car stalls. Then after 15-30 minutes the car starts fine and drives. Has happened at least 8 times. Took it to Buick dealer who ran diagnostic but unable to recreate codes but acknowledged a problem. Supposedly fixed it only to return the car a few days later. This is quite scary and dangerous as it happens without warning and while driving. Thankfully I wasn't on the expressway when it happened because all steering, power and brake function is lost.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Driver assistance, Engine · 56,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after a while. The contact stated that the service stabili trac warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the error code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the error occurred several times. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000.

Filed May 31, 2022 · Driver assistance, Engine · 56,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The stability trac and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who provided several unknown codes. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000. The contact has stated that due to the seriousness of the problems, that they no longer own the vehicle.

Filed Apr 22, 2022 · Driver assistance · 96,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted and the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed the electronic brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V404000 (Electronic Stability Control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2021 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · MS

The contact's niece owns a 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the battery warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel as the vehicle would stall. The "service battery charging system" warning message would also appear on the instrument panel as the vehicle would fail to restart. The contact was able to assist his niece by towing the vehicle to his home and replacing the battery; however, the same failure occurred soon after replacement. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V173000 (Electrical System) however, upon contacting the manufacturer, he discovered that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2021 · Engine · 93,399 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 buick lacrosse. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the stability track and anti-theft warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted after 15 seconds as per the owners manual instructions and would reprogram itself. The vehicle was taken to heritage auto group (965 veterans memorial hwy ne, rome, ga 30161) three times for repairs and the keys were reprogrammed, the loosened throttle body was tightened, and the water pump was replaced however, the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact to take the vehicle to another buick dealer for service. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,399.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Engine · 107,000 miles · MD

I filed a compliant jan. 25, 2021 (#11389775) in reference to my car stalling. Which has been continuously happening the majority of the time I have owned the vehicle. I was contacted by my mechanic that my problem fits the issues on recall #13v173000 which my VIN # does not pull as a recall. I called gm last year in reference to the same issue which they stated because my VIN was not included in the recall that there was nothing they can do. I have noticed that there are quite a few buick lacrosse owners that have the cars that are equipped with this e-assist are having the same problems and are being told that their VIN # are not included. It seems that gm has overlooked a lot of cars that should have been included in this recall. I have had my car for a little over 5 years and my car has not operated correctly due to this issue. I have attached the text message I have received from my licensed mechanic.