2012 Buick Lacrosse: loss of power steering

Filed Nov 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MO

13136 recall issued on XXX was visually inspected by [XXX] Chevrolet Pleasant Hill Iowa on 7/10/13. With the statement no further action required .Diagnostic inspection done by Thompson Buick Springfield [XXX] XXX the following codes flagged.B1517,P0606,P0700,P0AC4,P0BE6,P0BEE,P0C0B,U0140,U0293,U1817 The vehicle is owned by my wife's aunt a [XXX] widow the car is a critical Lifeline used by her niece to drive a 2.5 hour highway route from [XXX] to [XXX] where her aunt resides in a nursing home. On a return trip to [XXX]. The vehicle experienced catastrophic shut down power windows failed , air conditioner quit functioning and a mile of home the car lost power steering. Because recall inspection was done one month after the recall roll out XXX and then recall inspection was done XXX was a visual inspection that did not replace the known to be ,a future failure point part. After the catastrophic shut down, we took the vehicle to Thompson Buick [XXX]. To have a diagnostic service done which showed Parts noted in the original recall had failed the dealership was unable to do anything because the recall showed no further action completed . Service manager contacted GM representative who stated GM declined the request because the vehicle is outside the age and mileage guidelines for repair assistance GM does not allow for assistance Beyond 7 years or 50,000 miles Beyond warranty and service date. I believe this is taken out of context and the recall should be reviewed because the inspection was not adequate to solve the initial problem noted in the recall. There have been several changes to this recall to facilitate a review. But they have refused to have any other statement. All check engine lights activated. This misinterpreted recall failure has put an elderly patient and her caregiver in possible fatal conditions as well as innocent drivers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Jun 30, 2024 · NC

While driving, the STABILITRAK indicator lighted and the car began to flash multiple warnings, loss of steering ability, electrical anomalies, and eventual shut-off. This happened while on a major interstate highway, jeopardizing the life of the driver and other drivers. This happened on multiple occasions within two days. The vehicle was towed to a service center, who had difficulty determining the cause. The service center suggested transferring the vehicle to an authorized GM dealership. Similar incidents have been reported by other owners on this website. This should be investigated immediately.

Filed Apr 25, 2023 · Brakes, Steering · MI

We're purchasing this vehicle from superior Auto, and we seen a recall back in 2011/12 from stabiltrak and deterrent auto theft, since this $21, 240 car we've had issues causing the car to shut off and lock up without warning, no power steering or brakes, and stabiltrak and auto deterrent theft warning pop up, and had it to 2 mechanics that are baffled and it produces no codes, I've almost gotten in 3 accidents causing this, and now I'm too scared to drive this car, the recall had same issues for improperly calibrated ESC defective sensors not showing codes, nobody will fix the issue without codes and I don't need to hurt or kill anyone. Superior Auto is not caring about taking this car back or trading it in, please help me figure this out, there was no accidents, but this car is unsafe for the road

Filed Mar 11, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 122,000 miles · WV

While going around curves the engine lost power several time. Check engine light came on, power steering failed, power brakes failed and engine restarted on its own after a few seconds.

Filed Sep 27, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 106,000 miles · CA

My 2012 buick lacrosses newest problem is one that actually scares me. I can be driving along at 65 miles an hour and it will kinda jerk a couple of times, then usually it will flash 'service the stability track' then I lose power steering and it dies. I'm lucky if I can make it to the side of the road.I live in a rural area and the highways around here are two lane with minimum shoulders. So when the car does this it is dangerous. It has happened 5 times now. It will restart after about 15-30 minutes and drive just fine. I've taken it to a mechanic and nothing shows up on the computer, everything looks good. But its not, this is by far the worst of the problems I've experienced with this car and there have been quite a few.

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Engine · 18 miles · PA

Hi there coming home the other day on highway lost everything , luckily I was in the right lane no steering very hard to stop ! Had to get it towed ! Serpentine belt off ! Replace belt three times belt keeps coming off ! Need help !

Filed Aug 15, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 45,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 buick lacrosse. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to unknown dealer in 2014 to be serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v173000 (electrical system); however; the repair did not prevent the failure. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle stalled and all lights on the instrumental panel flickered and the battery warning light illuminated. The contact also advised that the steering wheel lost power steering ability while driving. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Jan 14, 2018 · Driver assistance · 54,086 miles · VA

We purchase a eassist 2012 buick lacrosse in feb.2017 with 46845 miles.we recently started having several issue either when in slow motion backing up out of a parking space or turning on a city street with the car doing a hard jerk, surging forward then loosing complete power! , not being able to see in the dark as all the light shut off, can't steer the car with no power steering, all the while in the line of traffic is definitely a safety issue that has been reported by other people years ago by my research and still no recall?!?! Just the other night the same thing happened and we were about 20 minutes from home at night having to travel through the mountains, feeling the car not wanting to accelerate and feeling the surges was quite scary! We have had the car looked at but they couldn't find what was wrong with it. The check engine light came on a few times over the last month but shut off automatically within the same day. One morning before work I noticed a message on the dic to service stabilitrak. We have had the car in the shop several times but they were unable to detect the issue to fix it or to get the car to do what we are telling them it's doing and the check engine light is no longer on. Again the safety issue with the loss of power while in the line of moving traffic is unacceptable and must be made right with the cars owner!

Filed Dec 17, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 29,975 miles · FL

Car stalled out twice, lost power steering. I was backing out of a parking lot space; restarted and then stalled while pulling onto street. Fear is it stalling in traffic and getting rear-ended. I took to garner buick where had purchased new. When car was relatively new and still on warranty had had similar issue, but dealer never found problem. Now occurs again. They found two sensors that failed but ok now so told me to drive over weekend and see what happens. I see this as a big safety problem and an accident waiting to happen. Buick should be responsible if this happens, but in the meantime I am the one injured.

Filed Apr 18, 2016 · Engine · 30,000 miles · IL

As driving at 50 miles/hr on suburban main street, engine lost complete power. All warning lights came on at same time along with check engine icon. My buick lacrosse had no acceleration, no power steering, and no power brakes. The car had no previous warning. No previous reduced performance with engine. No problems with gas economy. Absolutely no warning this would happen. Car still had electricity since speedometer still reading and radio on. After turning off car and restarting no further problems. Gm states no error message in computer. However, this is our second gm car to experience a reduced engine scenario. This time however, it was not reduced just completely off. This is a major safety concern! What if it occurs on the expressway with fast traffic. Luckily it was a local, but busy street, and a sunday. I cannot believe a government agency has not held gm accountable for this problem. A car with sudden power loss is a major public safety concern. Luckily again I'm an experienced driver with a similar incidence in another gm vehicle and knew if I hit the brakes I was a sitting duck. How can a car lose power and multiple posts on internet and no recall ? Our buick only has 30,000 miles.

Filed Sep 2, 2015 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · MD

Aprox. 1130 pm on august 27th, 2015, I was driving (60 MPH) home from work and lost all power stearing, I almost had a accident and cashed my 2012 buick lacrosse due to the loss of power steering. I made it about a half of a mile down the street and called 911 for assistance since it was dark. I had to call a tow trcuk to come get my car and take it to the local repair shop. On friday august 28th the dealership said they had to order my part it was the surpintine belt and it wouldnt be there until monday august 31st. On monday 8/31/2015 the dealship tech says it may be a motor issue but wont know until he tried the belt first. Monday 8/31/15 the auto tech said the dealership did not have the tool. On tuesday 9/1 the dealership said they have the tool but now my car needs not only a belt but the tensioner as well. The dealership is quoting me a price of over $650 plus the cost of my rental car. After some research I found a bulletin in march 2012 for buick lacrosse and regals with faulty surpintine belts made of tensil or copper that needed to be replaced by spetember 2012, I did not purchase my car untl november 2012. Now gm is refusing to fix the part enven though I still have a 100k mile powertrain warranty and they have the broadcast notification of a faulty part. Now gm refuses to pay for the part and/or my rental car. I almost had a injury due to the malfunction. I need assistance. Please advise.