I went to start the vehicle and it failed to start. I found the fuel pump relay to be badly burned 🔥. On the 30 pin. The board was melted at the 30 pin spot for the fuel pump relay. I purchased a new relay from NAPA. I questioned whether they had a new replacement fuel pump. They told me it was not available only through the dealership. My concern was that where the relay was located at there was a possibility of a fire given how badly the relay and board was burned. I replaced the relay and purchased an extra incase this might happen again. To my surprise it happen just days later while I was driving on the expressway. I had to get off the road immediately. Engine died, no power steering. I checked the relay, it was smoking hot. I will have to have the problem resolved. There is no way a relay should ever get hot, let alone that hot. The fuel pump fuse was not effected. Why is the relay not protected from getting so hot. There is definitely a real risk of fire. No one sits in the back seat normally. But, my grandson's. This should not ever happen.
2008 Buick Lucerne electrical complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 121, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after investigating the failure online, her husband purchased a fuse box relay from an unknown dealer and installed the part underneath the rear seats of the vehicle. The vehicle then started; however, the failure recurred approximately 5 days later. The contact's husband replaced the relay for a second time; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the fuse box relay had melted and there was smoke. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V240000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,500.
The fuse box under the back seat has been having issues of burning for the fuel pump relay. It then in turn shorts out the fuse box which keeps needing to be replaced. This is a safety issue as it it catch fire under the back seat.
The fuse block is shorting out and melting and causing the fuel pump relay to burn.
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the pressure from the rear driver's seat caused a short in the fuel pump and the relays, and that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the independent mechanic had previously replaced six relays and the fuel pump; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Our fuze box is located under rear seat. The relay fuze for the fuel pump melted so bad it was hot and could of caused fire. Am hearing alot of people sayung they have same issue
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while parked, the interior cabin lights became illuminated, and the vehicle failed to start. When the key was turned there was a clicking sound, but no warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on one occasion, the electric seat independently moved forward while the driver was seated in the seat. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The rear fuse box burned out the fule pump relay because of the metal hooks for the seat hit it and pop the fuse out causing it to ark and burn out. I had to have the fule pump replaced twice as that what I was told at auto shops. Going on line was the only reason I found out about the fuse box. After my car died and wouldnt start, opened the casing and sure enough the fule pump housing was completely burned. So now after replacing two fule pumps my emergency money is gone and who knows how long it will before am able to buy a 400$ fuse box with probably another couple hundred in labor to change it out. All because there was to much metal on the seat hooks.
The fuel pump relay kept burning out. And caused the fuse box terminal heat damage. Almost started on fire and started smoking. Vehicle stalled out on the freeway and the Dept of Public safety towed my vehicle off the freeway.
The crank shaft sensor went out and caused the steering and brakes to go out. It took out all communications with the car. I had had intermittent problems with it as it went out, and it didn't throw a code showing what the problem was. (I took it to AAMCO once and Goodyear twice before they could identify the problem.) (Some Buick dealers do not work on cars over 10 years, and some do not use off-market parts when GM has chosen to stop making replacement parts, such as the rack and pinion/steering gear. Their goal is to sell cars, not maintain.) At 150,000+ miles, sensors go out, and I expect to replace them. What I don't expect is deliberate design that will cause the vehicle to be or cause damage(d). This is a design flaw by GM and I wonder how many mystery crashes can be related to this.
1. Fuse box was replaced, yes. 4th repair shop replaced. I say only time will tell for sure. i don't drive every day 2. driving I-95 from VA to MD at speeds of 30+ to 75+ cars driving close behind could have ran into rear causing my car, their car, and multiple other cars to be in major accident with possible multiple deaths. 3. reproduced, no. independent service center, no 4. No. Other - the 4th repair shop inspected vehicle component. 5. No warning lamps. No messages or symptoms, car just stalled and would not start/move and when I tried to start car again car would not start, but had all kinds of warnings lamps lit up. The first time the engine stalled was driving (moving) into entrance of toll booth in Richmond, VA, July 27, 2021 approx. 2:15 pm. additional info: Four (4) times car stalled while driving in traffic without warning, car would not start again had to be towed each time to a repair shop. Three (3) repair shops did not repair the problem. First repair shop charged me approx. $350.00 +- for repairs. PLUS I had to stay over night in hotel costing me approx. $120.00+- Total $470.00 +- Car still had same problem!! Second repair shop did not charge me for repairs, but not sure if any work was done, had to get a car rental to get back to Maryland. s second shop kept car ofr 6 days before working on problem. Car rental cost me $467.27. Total $467.27 Car still had same problem!!! Third repair shop kept car for 5 days, charged me approx. $125.+-, still the car had the same problem. Total $125.00+- Car still had same problem!!!! Fourth repair shop says he found fuse box to be the problem, repair cost me approx $554.00+- Total $554.00 My total expenses are approx. $1,491.20 only time will tell if problem has been fixed, not to mention the extreme emotional stress dealing with delays on repairs and extreme emotional stress driving not knowing when or how car would stall again.
To start things off the car would crank but not start. My wife did some research and these cars have a problem with the fuel pump relay shorting out. So I replaced it and it fixed the problem for a few days. I was driving home from work and the car shut off. I could smell plastic burning. I pulled over and pulled the fuse box cover off which is located under the rear seat and I pulled the relay out and burned my fingers in the process. So something is wrong and it's causing the relay to overheat and melt. There are many people according to carcomplaints.com that have the same issue. I've seen a lot of people saying that GM says that the seat bracket touches the fuse box putting pressure on the relay causing this problem. Well after I replaced the relay I did not put the rear seat on and it still burned out. In my mind it seems to be a fire safety hazard. No check engine lights came on either.
-The electrical system failed, causing the fuel pump to not work properly due to design flaw in the backseat putting pressure on the fuse box which is located under the backseat. The spot where contact is made to the fuse box, is where the fuel pump relay is. Pressure from the seat bracket (with or without a passenger in the seat) causes the pump replay to not make proper contact with the terminal, therefore causing the power to arc and get so hot that the relay starts smoking, melting the relay, fuse box and surrounding fuses and leaving black scorch marks on the inside of the lid to fuse box and making the car smell like burnt plastic. In addition to now having to purchase multiple replacement relays it has also caused additional electrical issues which resulted in having to replace multiple fuses as well as purchase another battery due to theses issues putting added strain on my battery which caused it to drain and not hold a charge any more. Yes the car and parts are available for inspection. -My safety and the safety of others is at risk due to major risk of catching on fire which could happen while driving and therefore cause an accident, could cause one of my passengers, including my child or myself to be severely hurt/burnt. -Yes the issue has been reproduced by many other owners of the same year/make/model as per the hundreds of previous complaints found about the same issue. -No there were no warning lights, signals or messages before the failure. No warning at all.
I keep fixing this car for the last 11 months , and still can not drive it after $5,000 in repairs, the car stops in the middle of the intersection , on the freeway several times. I went to different mechanics, the dealership to, they keep fixing it, charging me, but the car is still not fixed. I'm afraid to drive it because I don't wanna lose my life and to jeopardize another's people lives.The car just stops while I'm driving.
When I first bought the car over a year ago there were 3 different occasions that my car would not start so I contacted the dealership that I bought it from and they explained to me that it was a reoccurring problem with that model for the fuel pump relay to go out and after a couple times of it going out it would ultimately fry the fuse and relay block and it would need to be replaced so that is what they did at the dealership and within they year that I have owned it I have replaced the fuel pump relay 3 times and driving to the parts store last week the car just died in the middle of the street and has not started since. I was told it was due to the hinge on the seat rubbing the side of the fuse and relay box specifically the fuel pump relay that is the cause of the fuse and relay block to short out
Recently replaced fuel pump. After repair, car was still a crank/no start. Replaced fuel pump relay which had obvious burn/scorching evidence, as well as melting around female port on the fuse box. Since then have had to replace 3 other new fuel pump relays due to problem of excessive heat or electrical surge frying the relay. After researching the problem, it was found that the problem is caused by the back seat of the vehicled coming in contact with the top of the fuse box causing the relay to move, causing the relay to work harder to maintain a connection, which in turn creates more current and the resulting heat increase melts the casing in the fuse box and kills the relay. When the relay is compromised in such a way the fuel pump stops operating and the engine gets no gas thus creating a crank/no start if the car is parked or causes the car to stall out if the car is in motion. In reasearching this matter, it is clear that gm has been aware of this situation for over 10 years. There are multitudes of individuals effected by this problem with some of them having smoking or burning issues with the relay. Personally, I have had stall outs while going with the flow of traffic which resulted in vehicle control issues such as braking and steering and excelleration, gm had extended repair period for the issue but failed to notify owners so many were unaware of the repairs or even the issue until the problems occurred. No recall has been initiated by gm even though it is a clear safety issue due to the control issues when stall outs occur and the potential for fires under the seat as the problem progresses. Gm refuses to cover repairs to affected vehicles since the courtesy repair order expired and the vehicles are typically out of warranty. Vehicle involved is a 2008 buick lucerne but the issue effects other gm cars. Gm tsb 15-na-051 for tech directives
Car wouldn't start kept trying to start it and it would make a clicking noise and then all of a sudden a small electrical fire staffed in the fuse box in the rear seat of car
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick lucerne. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a burning plastic odor was present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who indicated that the fuse box located under the rear seat was hot to the touch and the relays inside had melted causing the fuel pump to overheat and fail. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer courtesy buick located at 7 auto center dr. Louisville ky was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick lucerne. The contact stated a fuse block melted due to the fuel relay under the rear seat malfunctioning. The contact stated that the failure occurred several years ago, and the vehicle was taken to a dealer whom informed that there was no recall for the failure. The contact stated that the dealer replaced the relay. The contact stated that her spouse ordered a new part and would do the repairs on his own. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 82,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick lucerne. The contact stated that the fuse panel located in the rear middle seat was inoperable. The contact was unable to start the vehicle due to the failure. The contact stated that the ABS warning light, brake warning light and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The diagnostic testing information was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
Car has gone through 3 fuel pump relay fuses in 3 months last one started on fire just from starting vehicle
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick lucerne. When attempting to start the vehicle, it would crank, but there was no fuel being transferred to the engine. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump and the fuel relay both failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to borcherding buick gmc (located at 9737 kings auto mall rd, cincinnati, oh 45249, 866‑666‑6291) where it was further diagnosed that the failure was due to an overheating of the electrical fuse box that burned the relay. The vehicle was repaired. Approximately three days later, the failure reccured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that due to the vehicle no longer being covered under the special coverage, they were unable to provide a repair. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Within the last month, my car has burned though 3 fuel pump relays. One connection is bubbling up in a certain spot. The fuse box is hot to the touch, and a glove was needed to pull the fuel relay out and the bubbling is now apparent on the fuse box itself. I had just finished a 260 mile round trip with my sister and when we stopped for food, the car would crank but not start.
Car was stationary fuel relay burnt out. We replaced it and new one went out. Thought it was fuel pump. Replaced pump and still wouldn't crank. Realised the fuse block is bad. Saw online where this is a common issue. We are having a hard time finding the correct block. Ordered one from gm online and it was the wrong one. Sent it back. Car has been down for over a month. This should be a recall.
In the last month and a half my 2008 buick lucerne has burned up six fuel pump relays it keeps melting the relays and the fuse block I believe this to be a safety hazard as it could catch on fire this should definitely be recalled
Rear seat makes contact with top of fuse block cover causing it to push aginst fuel pump relay causing it to overheat and burn out. This relay gets heated to the point that it could present a fire hazard. Due to the heat it generates, it melts the fuse block causing it to have to be replaced. Back seat cannot support weight of an average size person. This problem causes the vehicle to shut down and lose power rendering lose of power steering and power brakes. It is unreprehensible that gm is not made to correct this blatant mistake. This has happened 4 times and the block has been replaced by authorized buic dealer.
I receive a letter from gm stating that the rear seat brackets may contact the electrical system causing damage including fires and draining of the batter. The letter further gave a very narrow time frame as well as conditions where owners could get reimbursement or repair of the problem which prohibits myself other owners from being able to correct this design defect without incurring sizable repair bills. I have replaced my battery twice because of the draining issues. The vehicle can not stay dormant for more than 2 days before the battery dies. It is unconscionable as well as an unscrupulous business practice to not recall the affected vehicles and have the problem corrected at no costs to the owners. I am lucky that it is just a battery drain, in some cases there have been fires and engine stalls. This is a potential life-threatening problem that should be corrected by gm immediately.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick lucerne. The contact stated that the fuse box failed three times in three months. Also, while driving, a burning odor was detected. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, opened the back seat of the vehicle, and noticed that the fuel fuse was burned. The contact replaced the fuse, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the fuel box and fuel pump were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact spoke with murdock hyundai logan (located at 3131 main st, logan, ut 84341, (888) 494-8023) and the contact was informed that there would be a fee for diagnostic testing and repairs. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Fuse box under the seat overheats and burns out fuel pump relay along with the fuse box. Unsafe if it happens while driving
I received a letter in january, 2019 regarding this vehicle, stating that the "vehicle's rear seat bracket could contact the vehicle's rear electrical center (rec), which can, over time, damage electrical components within the rec enclosure. If damage occurs, the components can melt or overheat, which the customer may detect by a melting odor in the vehicle. Damage could also cause the vehicle's battery to drain, a no-start condition, or a stall." we have had 2 new batteries installed in this vehicle in recent years and I've also smelled the burning smell that they are referring to in this letter. I took the vehicle to shelton pontiac buick in rochester, mi to find out if our car had been affected by this condition, and after examining the rec harness, they said that it has been affected and needs repair. They quoted me $720 to repair it. Buick was the one who contacted me regarding this situation, which is unsafe and should be under a recall with no charge to the customer to fix. It is a manufacturer's problem and not due to wear and tear and I believe I should not be charged for this repair because of their faulty design. I have spoken with their customer assurance center many times and have gotten nowhere with them. I also wrote a letter to neelie o'connor, the executive director of buick's north american contact center and never received a response. She was the person who signed the letter, alerting us to the problem. I do not want this vehicle to be unsafe as I am on the road a lot, going back and forth to detroit for cancer treatments. It needs to be fixed and buick should pay for it.
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