2005 Buick LaCrosse Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT REALIZED HE COULD NOT SEE. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE AUTOMATIC AND HAD APPARENTLY TURNED OFF AFTER HE HAD BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS THAT NIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGHBEAMS TO REACH HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN OCCURRING SINCE DECEMBER 2010. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIRST NOTICED UNTIL LEAVING A WELL LIGHTED THOROUGHFARE ONTO AN UNLIGHTED SIDE STREET. HIGH BEAMS CONTINUED TO WORK, BUT LOW BEAMS COULD NOT BE TURNED BACK ON. THE NEXT DAY, LOW BEAMS SEEMED TO WORK WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM, BUT THEN WENT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY AGAIN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH HIGH BEAMS FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP. *TR

MY 2005 LACROSSE HAS 25000 MILES AND I AM ABOUT TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE STEERING COLUMN GRINDING PROBLEM. GM BETTER FIGURE SOMETHING OUT BECAUSE FORDS ARE LOOKING BETTER THAN EVER. ALL THEY SEEM TO DO IS LUBE THE STEERING COLUMN AND EXPECT YOU BACK LATER. *TR

MY 2005 LACROSSE HAS 25,000 MILES AND I AM ABOUT TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE STEERING COLUMN GRINDING PROBLEM. GM BETTER FIGURE SOMETHING OUT BECAUSE FORDS ARE LOOKING BETTER THAN EVER. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THE PREVIOUS VISITS. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, BOTH TIE ROD ENDS. THIS IS ALL STEERING RELATED ISSUES ON A BUICK LACROSSE 2005 THAT HAD ONLY 26,333 MILES. I FEEL THAT THIS AUTO SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS AT THIS MILEAGE. I SENT A COPY OF COMPLAINT TO GM THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS UNTIL THERE WOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR UPDATED 10/06/11. *JB

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUR NEW (TO US) 2005 BUICK LACROSSE WITH THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON IN SANFORD, NC. IT WAS ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN 8 INCH HOLE IN THE MIDDLE. WE BOUGHT THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO USED WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY FROM STEVE JONES HONDA IN ABERDEEN NC. WE HAVEN'T EVEN MADE THE FIRST PAYMENT AND WE STILL HAVE A TEMPORARY TAG ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY WITH THE VEHICLE REPAIR AND NOW WE HAVE SPENT OVER $300 ON A NEW REAR WINDOW FOR OUR NEW CAR. THE WIRES IN THE DEFROSTER WERE OBSERVED TO BE A DIFFERENT COLOR IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDOW - DARK ORANGE / RED. THIS INCIDENT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND APPEARED TO SIMPLY BE A RESULT OF A MALFUNCTIONING REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. WE HAD THE SHOP NOT HOOK UP THE DEFROSTER TO THE NEW WINDOW TO AVOID ANOTHER OF THESE INCIDENTS. WE COULD FIND NO RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THOUGH WE DID FIND ONE OTHER INCIDENT ONLINE OF THE EXACT THING OCCURRING TO A MOTHER WHO HAD THEIR INFANT CHILD IN THE BACK OF THEIR 2006 LACROSSE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; THE CONTACT HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON FOR THEM TO WORK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,800.

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MODULE FAILURE/INTERMITTENT IN 2005 BUICK LACROSSE CX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN OTHER DRIVERS BEGAN TO FLASH THEIR LIGHTS AT HER. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE DRIVER NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE RELAY WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,450 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,650. UPDATED 01/06/11 *BF

I HAVE 53000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND IT'S BEEN CLUNKING EVERY TIME I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. I'M TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. I'LL BE GETTING IT REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SHAME ON GM. THAT SAID, I'LL GUESS IM GOING WITH TOYOTA OR HONDA!! *TR

CLUNKING NOISE WHILE STEERING... BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALER...KNEW RIGHT AWAY THE TROUBLE....SAID THAT STEERING WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL...INVOLVES INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN PART....REQUIRED LUBRICATION AND REPLACEMENT OF PART AND LABOR....CAR ONLY HAD 30,000 MILES. *TR

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 57 DURING DAYTIME HOURS. WHILE CRUISING AT 73 MILES PER HOUR IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND LOST ALL POWER. I COASTED TO A STOP OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK, SO I CONTINUED ON. A LITTLE LATER IT SPUTTERED AGAIN AND STARTED LOSING POWER. THE POWER CAME BACK BEFORE IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CALLED ON STAR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM AND THAT IF THE CAR WOULD RUN TO CONTINUE THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS WHEN I GOT HOME. I TOOK THE CAR WORDEN-MARTEN SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIRS ON MARCH 23RD. TO REPAIR THE CAR THEY: 1.REPLACED CAT CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSOR 125CGMPP- $750.47 A SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 57 DURING DAYTIME HOURS. I WAS PASSING A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER WITH THREE CARS FOLLOWING ME WHILE CRUISING AT 73 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND LOST ALL POWER PUTTING ME IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE COASTED DOWN TO ABOUT 60 MILES PER HOUR BEFORE IT KICKED BACK IN. I IN THE MEAN TIME HAD DROPPED BACK BEHIND THE SEMI WITH THE THREE CARS BEHIND ME AND WHEN I COULD I PULLED BACK INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND MY WIFE. I CALLED ON STAR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND THEY TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK. I TOOK THE CAR WORDEN-MARTEN SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIRS AGAIN ON APRIL 19TH TO REPAIR THE CAR THEY: 1.REPLACED MASS -AIR FLOW UNIT AND SENSOR $ 131.39 WHO KNOWS IF IT IS FIXED RIGHT THIS TIME? THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN FOR THE CAR TO FAIL. *TR

POWER STEERING PUMP IS GOING OUT ON A GM 2005 BUICK LACROSSE AFTER ONLY 70,000 MILES. GM CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL OUT ON SEVERAL MODELS FOR POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR IS RELATED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED SINCE THE VALVE INTAKE WAS BLOCKED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE ON THE VEHICLE COULD BE RUINED IF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. ACCORDING TO THE CONTACT, THE DEXCOOL ANTI-FREEZE THAT WAS USED WILL CAUSE THE OIL VALVES TO DETERIORATE AND RUIN THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37063. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE. IN ADDITION, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A SLIGHT JERK FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,500.

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE DARK AND MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE FIRST 2 TIMES MY HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE 3RD TIME I HAD TO USE MY FLASHER TO MAKE IT INTO TOWN. I HAVE THE CAR THE SHOP AND THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY SAID THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR RUNNING 2 DIFFERENT TIMES AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED TO THEM. *TR

BUICK MADE NOISE WHEN TURNING A CORNER WITH AROUND 30,000 MILES ON CAR. THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH CURED THE PROBLEM. IT COULD HAVE BEEN LUBRICATED INSTEAD, BUT THIS WOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN A TEMPORARY SOLUTION. THERE IS A BULLETIN ON THIS DEFECT, BUT WE FEEL THAT GM SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS MODEL, RATHER THAN LUBRICATING THE SHAFTS UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THIS NOISE HAD BEEN NOTICED LONG BEFORE THIS; HOWEVER IT DIDN'T ALWAYS OCCUR EVERY CORNER SO HAD TO WAIT UNTIL IT WAS ONGOING TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A NOISY STEERING COLUMN, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD: LUBE LOWER STEERING SHAFT RUBBER SEAL, SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. WILL HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE STEERING COLUMN TO ELIMINATE ALL NOISES." THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT AND THE NOISE SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. OF COURSE THAT DEALER IS OUT OF BUSINESS DUE TO GM ELIMINATION OF DEALERSHIPS. NOT SURE WHAT MY NEXT RECOURSE SHOULD BE, I JUST HOPE IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. HAVE ABOUT 40,000 MILES ON A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE CXS. *TR

CLUNKING IN STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NOISE IN FRONT AREA, PARTS REPLACED FRONT STRUT, STRUT MOUNT, TIE ROD END AND FRONT TIRES, NOISE STILL, MECHANICS MENTIONED THAT "CROSS MEMBER IS CRACKED", CAR ONLY HAVE 22700 MILES, THEY RECOMMENDED TO CHECK IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART, CAR IS IN AN EXCELLENT CONDITION. *TR

MY 2005 BUICK LACROSSE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2006, IF YOU STEP ON THE GAS BETWEEN 50 AND 60MPH THE ENGINE DIES, NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND YOU HAVE TO IDLE OUT OF TRAFFIC UNTIL THE SYSTEM COMES BACK ON, I TOOK IT TO BUICK AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, TO THIS DAY YOU HAVE TO WATCH YOUR SPEED WHEN PASSING SO THAT YOU DO NOT LOSE POWER. *TR

HAVE HAD STEERING ISSUES TWICE, BOTH RELATED TO GREASE USED IN BOTTOM OF STEERING COLUMN. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT GREASE LEAKS AND/OR LIQUEFIES OVER TIME CAUSING RACK TO GROAN DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO FAILURE OF RACK IF NOT PROMPTLY SERVICED. HAVE BEEN ADVISED THIS WILL BE AN ON-GOING ISSUE YEAR AFTER YEAR. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON IF THE CAR IS ALREADY STARTED AND SOMEONE GETS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS OCCURS MOST OF THE TIME IF SOMEONE GETS INTO THE CAR. THE COMPANY DID MAKE THE REPAIR BEFORE BUT THE PROBLEM IS BACK. TOOK CAR THE TWO DAYS AGO, MECHANIC GOT IN THE CAR BUT THE SENSOR WORKED THAT TIME SO THEY DECIDED THERE IS NO PROBLEM SO NO REPAIR WAS DONE. *TR

CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING OF 2005 BUICK LACROSSE WITH 25,000 MILES. NOTICED IT ABOUT 500 MILES EARLIER AND IS GETTING WORSE DAY BY DAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE OR ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT READINGS FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF WAS LEAKING, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS CONTINUOUSLY ON ALTHOUGH THE CONTROL WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE DOOR OR THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY JERK WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND SPORADICALLY WOULD FAIL TO START. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DEFROSTER WOULD TAKE AN ABNORMALLY LONG TIME TO DEFROST THE WINDOW AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WOULD INDEPENDENTLY TURN OFF AND ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY, NO WARNING JUST OUT. HAD A VERY HARD TIME STEERING CAR. LUCKY KNOW ONE WAS HURT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A LOW POWER RESPONSE OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY AND THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES AND THE TIE ROD AND WHEEL HUB WERE REPLACED, AND THE BRAKE DRUMS WERE RESURFACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURES STILL PERSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE VIN AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

ON A COLD MORNING IN FEBRUARY, OUTSIDE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF DURING NORMAL OPENING FUNCTION. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ENTIRE HANDLE IS MERELY CHROME-PLATED PLASTIC, WITH PEM NUTS INSERTED INTO THE REAR SIDE OF THE HANDLE. THE ENTIRE TENSILE LOAD OF THE HANDLE IS CARRIED ON THESE TWO POINTS, AND THIS IS WHERE THE PLASTIC FRACTURED. HAVING NO LUCK FINDING REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT PUTTING A SIMILARLY-DESIGNED HANDLE WOULD PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM RECURRING, I REPAIRED THE HANDLE BY DRILLING THROUGH THE HANDLE AND PUTTING 2 BOLTS AND 2 NUTS THROUGH THE BODY OF THE HANDLE TO SECURE IT TO THE DOOR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACES THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, HE HEARS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN GEAR. AFTER A WHILE, THE ENGINE WILL REV AND FINALLY SHIFT INTO THE PROPER GEAR. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 15 MPH, IT FEELS AS IF THE GEARS ARE CHANGING AND THE CLUNKING NOISE IS HEARD AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS WORKING PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. IT WAS MADE KNOWN TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO CHILD LOCKS ON THE DOORS IN HIS VEHICLE. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE 2004, 2006, AND 2007 LACROSSE MODELS WERE EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT LOCKS. HE FELT THAT IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT HIS YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER TO REACH A RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH SOMEONE FROM THE SAFETY DIVISION OF THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH HIM. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/27/09.*JB

2005 BUICK LACROSSE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 81,000 MILES- TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP BEFORE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED WITH THE HARD SHIFTING PROBLEM BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT THEY STATED IT WASN'T THE TRANSMISSION- TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT AT MY COST $2,500. PER GOOGLE SEARCH THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR HAVE HAD. *TR

I OWN A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE WITH 27,000 MILES. ANOTHER OWNER WITH SAME CAR WARNED ME TO WATCH OUT FOR STEERING PROBLEMS. I PAID LITTLE ATTENTION AND WITHIN ONE MONTH MY CAR'S STEERING WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY QUICKLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECT IN THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY STATED THERE WAS A TSA BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE WITH THE BUICK LACROSSE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER WHILE CASUALLY DISCUSSING THIS WITH A NEIGHBOR SHE DESCRIBED THE SAME PROBLEM IN HER BUICK LACROSSE REPAIRED BY LOCAL BUICK DEALER. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, HEARING OF THIS PROBLEM FROM THREE SOURCES IN ONE MONTH I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS PERVASIVE AND HAS YET TO RESULT IN A TRAGEDY BECAUSE THE OWNERS TOOK PREVENTIVE MEASURES. I COULD FIND NOTHING ABOUT THIS INTERMEDIATE SHAFT DEFECT IN BUICKS 2005 OR NEWER IN MY RESEARCH, NO ACCIDENT REPORTS NOR RECALLS. THERE IS HOWEVER A DANGER HERE THAT IS NOT BEING DISCLOSED AND IS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. *TR

DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS OF THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I REMEMBERED READING THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH SOME ONE ELSE WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR. I TURNED THE HIGH BEAMS ON AND THEY WORKED. THE INCIDENT HAS NOT RE-OCCURRED. *TR

2005 BUICK LACROSSE HAD ONLY 24,000 MILES AND EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. MADE A GRINDING SOUND. DEALER REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. WITHIN 4 MONTHS, STEERING DIFFICULTY RETURNED WITH RUMBLING AND WHINING NOISE. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE CXL WITH ONLY 20,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN RELUBRICATED TWICE IN 2 YRS. IT RATTLES, OR STARTS TO RATTLE AFTER ONLY 6,000 MILES FROM THE LAST SERVICE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT, AND I WOULD LIKE A PERMANENT FIX TO THIS PROBLEM. NO WONDER HONDA OUTSELLS BUICK IN AMERICA. FOR SHAME!! *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. 40 MPH THE HEADLIGHTS WHILE ON LOW BEAM WENT OUT. NO PARKING LIGHTS, NO LOW BEAMS. UPON GETTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WE DISCOVERED THAT THE HIGH-BEAMS STILL WORKED. THE FIRST TIME A 12,000 MILES IT NEVER DID IT AGAIN UNTIL LAST NIGHT AT 48,000 MILES. AGAIN NO LOWS OR PARKING BUT HIGH BEAMS GOT US HOME THE NEXT MORNING ALL WAS WORKING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT I TRIED TURNING THEM OFF AND THEN BACK ON NOTHING HAPPENED SO I DROVE HOME USING MY FLASHERS SO NO ONE WOULD HIT ME. TOOK INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOW WORKING THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING UNLESS IT HAPPENS WHEN THEY HAVE IT IN THE REPAIR SHOP. THEY STATED IT'S LIKE FINDING A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK. GREAT RESPONSE . SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES THE MOST RECENT WAS YESTERDAY. I AM ABLE TO PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON BUT WHILE DRIVING IT'S SCARY BECAUSE I AM CONSTANTLY BEING FLASHED BY CARS DUE TO THE USE OF THEM . MY JOB IS 35 MIN AWAY FROM HOME AND THERE ARE THREE NIGHTS PER WEEK THAT I DRIVE HOME IN THE EVENING AND MY DRIVING IS ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH IS A MAJOR INTERSTATE. I'M WAITING FOR THE POLICE TO PULL ME OVER ONE TIME FOR USING THEM. I AM CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TOMORROW WHICH IS DEC 15, 2008. *TR

THE AIR BAG MODULE IN MY LACROSSE IS BEING REPLACED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. IT FAILED THE FIRST TIME AROUND 40,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. IT FAILED AGAIN AROUND 80,000 AND I PAID TO HAVE IT REPLACED AROUND $900.00. I NOW HAVE 117,647 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN. GM SAID THEY WOULD PAY $500.00 OF THE REPAIR COST. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THESE MODULE BREAK BUT IT WOULD SEEMS THAT THIS WOULD BE A PART THAT RARELY BREAKS. I BELIEVE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN ESTABLISHED AND THAT IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN IN 30,000 MILES. THE UNIT IS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AND BELIEVE THAT HE WIRING IS SHORTING OUT ON THE SEAT TRACK. IF THE RED INDICATOR IS ON AN I MOVE MY SEAT IT GOES OUT IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. I HAVE ADVISED GM OF THIS BUT NO ACTION ON THEIR PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, HE COULD HEAR A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT LOCATION. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND AFTER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THE HUMMING SOUND DISAPPEARED AND THE STEERING RETURNED TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEFECT EXISTED IN THE POWER STEERING MODULE AND THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

2005 BUICK LACROSSE WAS BOUGHT USED WITH SLIGHTLY OVER 44,000 MILES BACK IN MAY OF 2008 AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ACCELERATION AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ISSUES SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, LOSING POWER WHILE GOING UP HILLS, BOGGING DOWN WHILE SLIGHTLY ACCELERATING TO PASS, AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIMMY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS, AND CLUNK WHEN COMING TO A STOP. NATURALLY, THE DEALERSHIP PLAYED THE GUESSING GAME REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SENSOR, AND EVEN RE-PROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, AND COULD NO LONGER DUPLICATE ANY PROBLEMS ONCE THEY HAD RUN OUT OF THEIR OPTIONS TWO MONTHS AGO THE CAR DEVELOPED A CLICKING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER DIRECTION, THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE WITHIN AN HOUR THAT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND PROPOSED LUBRICATION TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE FOR A COST OF OVER $300. SOUNDS LIKE THEY WERE ALREADY AWARE OF THIS POPULAR ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEVEL ON HIS VEHICLE WAS STEADILY DECREASING EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO SERVICE COULD BE PERFORMED FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION FAILURE UNTIL THE VEHICLE CONSUMES MORE THAN ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 2,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,340 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 09/16/08 *BF UPDATED 09/19/08. *JB

FROM APPROX. 60,000 MILES DRIVERS DOOR WOULD STICK IN THE LOCKED POSITION REGARDLESS OF LOCK SOLENOID ACTUATION. CYCLING DOOR LOCK SOLENOID SEVERAL TO "MANY" TIMES USUALLY LOOSENED IT UP, HOWEVER, AT 80,000 MILES IT STUCK FOR 3 DAYS. DEALER THAT REPLACED THE MECHANISM ADVISED THAT WHEN THE DOOR UNLOCKS, THERE IS A METAL GEAR IN THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM THAT ENGAGES A PLASTIC GEAR THAT MOVES TO ENGAGE THE DOOR HANDLES (IN & OUT) SO WHEN YOU PULL ON EITHER HANDLE THE DOOR OPENS. SO, WHEN THE PLASTIC GEAR WEARS OUT, YOUR DONE. DEALER HAD TO BREAK INTO THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THIS MALFUNCTION. DRIVERS DOOR, PASSENGER DOOR AND NOW, LAST WEEK AT 180,000 MILES THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAVE ALL MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. APPROX. $250 - $300 EACH TIME DEPENDING ON NEED TO BREAK IN. SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU GET LOCKED IN WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS. *TR

LOW BEAMS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AT NIGHT, THEN SELF-RESTORE WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. HIGH BEAMS WORK. ALREADY CHANGED THE SIGNAL ARM SWITCH, THE HEADLAMP IN-DASH SWITCH, THE RELAY IN THE FUSEBOX, BOTH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. HOMESTEAD CHEVROLET/CADILLAC DEALER AND VARIOUS "SMART" MECHANIC SHOPS SEEM TO BE OUTWITTED BY THIS ONE. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE BURNING PREMATURELY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,973.

I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING A CRUNCHING SOUND IN MY STEERING WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. I'VE TOLD I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY OTHER GM OWNERS WITH OTHER TYPE VEHICLES THAT THEY DID OR ARE NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAS GM NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM WHEN THEY PERFECTLY KNOW THEY HAVE A PART FAILURE WHY SHOULD WE THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART? IT'S TIME SOMEONE ADDRESSES THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS MERGING ONTO THE NJ TPK AT 14A HEADING WEST, ON THE ROAD FOR LESS THAN A MINUTE, ABOUT 4 FEET BEFORE MERGE, HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE FELT FLAT. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR HELP. THE SUNOCO DOT CAME AND SAID TIRE WAS GOOD, BUT RIM BLEW OUT. WHEN CHANGING ORIGINAL TIRE TO THE DONUT, MY ORIGINAL BUICK RIM, FACTORY EQUIPPED, CAME OFF IN TWO PIECES. I HAVE GONE TO DEALERSHIP DIFEO IN JERSEY CITY, NJ , AND WAS TOLD NOT A GENERAL MOTOR DEFECT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UNION PONTIAC DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE SAME. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS DIRECTLY, AND WAS TOLD THE RIM IS NOT A DEFECT OF THEIRS. DID NOT KNOW THE MANUFACTURER OR PART NUMBER. ON OCTOBER 9, 2007 CONTACTED UNION PONTIAC PARTS DEPT. AND WAS GIVEN PART #88964115, BUT NO RECORD OF MANUFACTURER. MADE OF CHROME WHITE ALUMINUM. MY COMPLAINT IS IF I WAS GOING AT A SPEED OF 55-65 MPH, RIM WOULD HAVE POPPED OFF MY TIRE, FRONT END FALL TO THE GROUND, DAMAGING MY AXLE,ETC. CAUSING ME TO SWERVE, POSSIBLY PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH.THANK GOD I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 15 MPH AND ONLY WENT A SHORT DISTANCE.I NEED YOUR HELP TO SEE IF GENERAL MOTORS WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO MANUFACTURED MY 2005 BUICK LA CROSSE CXS AND HAD THESE RIMS PLACED ON MY CAR.I HAD TO DRIVE WITH AN ALMOST FITTED RIM FROM A TIRE COMPANY, AND PURCHASE 4 NEW RIMS MADE OF STEEL CHROME ALLOY. WILL LAST LONGER THAN MY CAR. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I WAS NOT GOING TO ORDER THE SAME RIM AND TAKE ANOTHER CHANCE IN THE FUTURE FOR THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO ME. TOTAL COST OF LOSS: $1128. BUICK SHOULD THINK OF SAFETY, USING STEEL CHROME RIMS, WILL OUTLAST THE LIFE OF MY CAR.WHY IS IT THAT THERE MUST BE A DEATH, OR A MAJOR COLLISION FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO DO A RESEARCH AND ONLY RECALLS BASED ON HOW MANY COMPLAINTS?THESE RIMS ARE UNSAFE AND SHOULD REPLACED ON ALL THE 2005 BUICKS HAVING SUCH RIMS TO STEEL, CHROME ALLOY. RIM MANUFACTURER KNOWN TO ALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND BACK. *JB

2005 BUICK LACROSSE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES UNDER RECALL. CUSTOMER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED THE BRAKES WOULD NOT BE APPLIED. SHE WAS TOLD TWO WEEKS BEFORE REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE LIGHTS ON THE DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER WERE DIM MOST OF THE TIME AND SOMETIMES DISAPPEARED ALTOGETHER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR INTERIOR ILLUMINATION TO DIM/BRIGHTEN DUE TO VOLTAGE DEMAND AND/OR AMBIENT LIGHT CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, A PROBLEM WITH A COMPUTER CHIP OR THE BATTERY VOLTAGE. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE LEAKED DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING. *JB

WHEN ACCELERATING , ENTERING A THRU WAY OR PASSING A CAR IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO STALL. WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO KICK IN, MY FOOT IS GOING DOWN ON THE PEDAL AND THE CAR IS NOT RESPONDING AT ALL. ALMOST REAR ENDED A FEW TIMES WHEN GOING UP RAMP TO THRU WAYS. *JB