What 204 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Lacrosse Hybrid

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.

NHTSA ODI 11697783

I was driving the LaCrosse in my neighborhood. A few minutes into the trip, I noticed a burning kind of smell. Then I saw smoke coming from the left side under the hood. I pulled over to the side of the road and exited the car to check, but the smoke quickly got worse and became flames. I then called 911.The police and fire department responded, and they were able to extinguish the fire. However, the front part of the car including the hood area and the passenger compartment was completely burned. It was a clear and mild summer day. And the car was travelling at relatively low speed on a local street, nothing unusual until the car suddenly started to smell, smoke, and burn. From the first burning smell to the car fire it took only a few minutes. The fire department investigation report states that the origin of the fire was "Left front of the engine compartment behind the left headlight and before the battery", and " the most likely cause was an electrical failure." I am the original owner of the car. It had been regularly maintained. The car had about 87,750 miles. It had not been involved in any accident.

NHTSA ODI 11490329

I am the Fire Marshal in Ashtabula Ohio. Fire occurred in the driver's seat cushion. The origin of the fire was determined to be below the seat covering in the area of the springs and foam padding. the only competent ignition sources in the area are a computer module, power seat motors and seat heater coil. The computer module was eliminated during the investigation leaving only the heater and position motors as competent ignition sources. A review of repair records indicates the owner report power seat issues to the dealer in June 2021 that went unresolved. The dealer records indicate they were unable to replicate the failure. The fire self-extinguished upon consumption of all available oxygen; however, the smoke damage has resulted in complete destruction of interior. As a Certified Fire Investigator, I feel obligated to report a potential problem involving ignition of passenger vehicles. [XXX] Ashtabula Fire Department INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11489528

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V764000 (SUSPENSION) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11413904

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO MY HOUSE AN MY CAR STARTED ACTING FUNNY. WHILE DRIVING RANDOMLY 2 LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST AND SERVICE STABILI TRACK. IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND IT CUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I CUT IT BACK ON IT HAD THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS; SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST, SERVICE STABILI TRACK. I ALMOST DIED AND MY GIRL HAD TO PAY FOR A TOW TRUCK FOR ME TO GET HOME AND I WAS RIGHT UP THE STREET. I FEEL LIKE IT DANGEROUS AND WHEN I TOLD GMC THEY SAID ITS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. IT IS SEVERAL RECALLS WITH VEHICLES JUST LIKE MINE THAT ARE THE SAME YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. MY CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO GET ALL THE THINGS FIXED THAT WERE RECALLS. I AM IMMOBILE AND IT IS CAUSING HARM TO ME FINANCIALLY. I TRUSTED GMC AND I FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD DO RIGHT BY CONSUMERS.

NHTSA ODI 11407161

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY CRASHING INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.

NHTSA ODI 11400342

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR DOWN A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STABILITY TRACK CAN ON MY DASH AND THE CAR FREAKED OUT AND BREAKED REALLY HARD ! I STATED TO SPIN OUT AND THEN A LOUD CRACK THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE ON THE REAR RIGHT SIDE . WE ALMOST REALLY LOST OUR LIVES! THIS IS THE 12 TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN AND THE MECHANICS TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG THEY CAN SEE!! I'M TAKING IT TO BUICK TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED ASAP! SOMEBODY WILL GET SEVERELY HURT SOON OMG

NHTSA ODI 11342049

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHE SUSTAINED BODY AND MUSCULAR PAIN FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT WAS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL FOR MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11162985

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUCK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING PLASTIC ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO LOCAL DEALERS: JIM CAUSLEY BUICK GMC (38111 S GRATIOT AVE, CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CLINTON, MI 48036, (586) 307-5895) AND VYLETEL BUCK GMC (40755 VAN DYKE, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48313, (586) 698-7530). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO HYBRID MECHANICS EMPLOYED AT EITHER DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO OTHER DEALERS IN THE AREA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,800.

NHTSA ODI 11084983

I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM ANOTHER CAR DEALER IN EARLY JULY 2014 WITH 19,000 MILES. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE SLUGGISH ON ACCELERATION. I FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE NOT RELEASING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND ANOTHER CASE WHERE SOME ELSE HAD THEIR CAR IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE BRAKE PEDAL BUSHING NOT ALLOWING THE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE THE BRAKES ONCE THEY WERE APPLIED. I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM IT WAS UNSAFE. BY THE TIME MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR IN THE BRAKES WERE ABOUT TO CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT RELEASING. THEY REPLACED THE BUSHING AND TURNED THE ROTORS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED. I AM TAKING IT BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR WARRED ROTOR WOULD BE MY BEST GUESS; THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE WAS NO FIRE BUT IF SHE WOULD HAVE DRIVEN ANOTHER 10 MILES THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE BEEN ON FIRE. I ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP TWENTY MINUTES AFTER MY WIFE AND THE BRAKES WERE VERY HOT AND SMELLED THE SAME. I CHECKED YES ON FIRE BECAUSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE SHORTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10694992

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND HIT THE WALL OF A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 08/29/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10608556

NEW CAR..HAD CONTINUED ISSUES OF TILT WHEEL UNLOCKING IN LOCKED POSITION. DEALER HAD TOLD US..WE WERE THE ONLY ONES WITH THE PROBLEM."DID SERVICE..NO RECORDS..DROVE NEW CAR AGAIN..SAME PROBLEM..STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED..CAUSED NEW CAR TO GO OFF INTO THE DITCH DUE TO LOSS OF SUDDEN CONTROL. CALLED DEALER..THEY SENT UP A TOW TRUCK..I REFUSED TO DRIVE NEW CAR TILL CORRECTED. I SEARCHED INTERNET..FOUND OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEMS.. THE DEALERSHIP SUPPLIED US WITH A FREE RENTAL..4 WEEKS..AND FINALLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY..NO CHARGE UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM NEVER OCCURRED AGAIN...CAR IS STILL DRIVEN...AND NO PROBLEMS..HAVE 18000 MILES NOW. THE STEERING ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA..BUT NEVER WAS FOLLOWED UP BY ANYONE..NO REPLY..NOTHING.. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10573214

THE A-PILLAR OF THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY WIDE AND OBSTRUCTS VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, AND THE WIDTH OF THE PILLAR HAS CAUSED US TO POP 3-TIRES (ONE LEFT, TWO RIGHT) (THREE SEPARATE TIMES/THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS) DUE TO AN INABILITY TO ADEQUATELY GAUGE TURNS AS A RESULT OF THE PILLAR'S WIDTH. IT IS AN EXTREME DESIGN FLAW AND ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST GM FOR SUCH A NEGLIGENT DESIGN. NO MATTER THE SEAT POSITION, YOU SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FRONTWARD VISIBILITY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT (IT'S JUST ONE GIANT FRONTWARD BLIND SPOT). ADDITIONALLY, THE C/D PILLARS ARE ALSO EXTREMELY WIDE AND OBSTRUCTIVE, AND THE REAR DECK IS TOO HIGH. THIS DESIGN HAS NOT CHANGED FOR EVEN THE 2014 MODELS AND PROVIDES AN INHERENT SAFETY RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10560674

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 BUICK LACROSSE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 100 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK, HANDS, SHOULDERS AND HIP. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FIRST RESPOND STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, WHICH DEACTIVATED THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10504883

DRIVER WAS ON A LARGE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF. DRIVER OBTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR SURGED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE PEDAL COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AND WAS LAYING IN THE FLOORBOARD. CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR 6 MONTHS. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE THE CASE OF THE PEDAL FAILURE. NO ANSWER YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10487865

HEAD REST IS ANGLED TOO FAR FORWARD - THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE ANGLE (ONLY UP AND DOWN HEIGHT). THIS CREATES NECK PAIN, BACK PAIN, ETC. THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST WHERE MY HEAD IS NOT FORCED INTO MY CHIN IF I FULLY REST MY SHOULDERS ON THE SEAT. I FEAR A SEVERE NECK INJURY IF EVER IN A CRASH IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10480642