2005 BUICK LACROSSE Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SMART CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC (3 SMART DR, WHITE HALL, AR 71602, (870) 543-2200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD DETACHED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E005000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

Mileage: 24,000

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD IT WILL "RANDOMLY" SHUT OFF. GIVING NO INDICATION OTHER THEN DIMMING LIGHTS. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR THE GARAGE I WENT TO CAN EXPLAIN IT. THE POWER STEERING DOESNT WORK AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY AND TOWN ROADS.

Mileage: 150,733

MY STEERING SEEMS TO BE LOOSE WAY TO MUCH PLAY I'VE TIGHTENED A BOLT ON BOTTOM OF STEERING ARM THING TWICE STILL IS COMING LOOSE DIFFICULT TO STEER ALSO SEEMS TO BE MISSING RUBBER OR DEFECTIVE PRICES .WILL CRASH CAN'T CONTROL CAR .STABILITY CONTROL ISSUES OVER AND OVER ALSO TC. AND AIR BAGS ARE FAULTY.IN MOTION MAJOR STEERING PROB.

Mileage: 16,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNUCKLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING COLUMN WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A GREASE FITTING AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ABNORMAL NOISE. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

SWAY BAR CRACKED BOTH ENDS. THIS REPAIR SHOP CLAIMS THEY REPLACE 2-3 SWAY BARS ON GM VEHICLES PER MONTH.

Mileage: 89,000

THE POWER STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT AND REQUIRED A LOT OF EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC SAID THE CAR NEEDS A NEW RACK AND PINION, HOSE AND ALIGNMENT. VERY COSTLY. ...UPDATED 11/04/15 *BF

Mileage: 118,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. ON AUGUST 24, 2014, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BACK, KNEE, AND NECK PAIN THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A WRECKAGE YARD BY A PRIVATE TOW COMPANY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

Mileage: 26,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

I WAS ON MY WAY BACK HOME WHICH IS ROCHESTER, NY. I WAS COMING FROM PORSMOUTH, VA. FROM BURYING MY MOTHER WHICH SHE PASS ON JUNE 3, 2014. I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON JUNE 22, 2014. A CAR WAS COMING OVER INTO MY LANE FROM THE LEFT LANE CUT ME SHORT, I TRIED NOT TO HIT THE CAR TURN MY CAR TO THE RIGHT BUT THE CAR HIT MY CAR AND MADE MY CAR GO OUT OF CONTROL WENT TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE CENTER CONCRETE BARRIER WITH THE LEFT FRONT PORTION OF MY CAR, THEN I VEERED ACROSS BOTH LANES AND STRUCK THE EAST ROCK EMBANKMENT BEFORE MY CAR COMING TO REST IN THE LEFT LANE OF TRAVEL FACING NORTH. THE CRASH OCCURRED NORTHBOUND ON L-476 PA TURNPIKE AT 0850 HOURS. MY DAUGHTER AND I WAS HURT IN THAT CRASH. WE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL WE HAD TO DO THERAPY AND AS OF SEPTEMBER 25 2014 I AM STILL GOING TO THERAPY. THE CAR THAT I WAS IN THE CRASH WITH WAS MY BUICK LACROSSE 2005. THE CAR KEY JUMP OUT OF THE IGNITION ON TOP OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE KEY WAS BENT INTO THE SHAPE OF A HORSE SHOE AND MY CAR WAS TOTAL IN THAT CRASH. *TR

Mileage: 97,978

I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR REGULAR INSPECTION. I HAVE A STRANGE NOISE IN THE STEERING BASE WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL OR APPLY THE BRAKES. HE TOLD ME IT WAS IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND I WENT TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM,YET I HAVE A VEHICLE HISTORY SUMMARY FOR IT. HOW CAN I GET IT FIXED IF THEY DENY IT? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AND LOST POWER STEERING. LOTS OF CLUNKING AND GRINDING JUST PRIOR. MECHANIC SAYS POWER STEERING HOSES, RACK AND PINION AND TIE RODS. YET ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. GM WAS AWARE ENOUGH OF THE PROBLEM THAT THEY PUT A SUPERVISOR ON THE LINE BUT SAID THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW, SO IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. GOING TO TRY TO WORK WITH LOCAL GUYS TO GET OUT OF IT. NOT SINKING ANOTHER PENNY INTO THIS CAR. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, I'D BE DEAD. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

BROKEN STABILIZER BAR, SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED.SEVERAL DAYS LATER THERE WAS LEAKAGE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR. AFTER CHECKING FLUIDS ALL SEEMED IN ORDER. BUT LEAKAGE CONTINUED UNTIL I ASSUME FLUID WAS LOW OR OUT. NOW I NOTICE A STEERING WHEEL SQUEAL WHENEVER I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, REGARDLESS OF LOW OR HIGH SPEED. I UNDERSTAND POWER STEERING IS STILL A PROBLEM. WHEN WILL THERE BE A RECALL? *TR

Mileage: 80,810

A CREAKING SOUND WAS NOTICED USUALLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR IN A CONSTANT STATE TURN MOSTLY AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH. CAR WAS TAKEN TO A GM (BUICK ) DEALER GARAGE AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE RACK AND PINION. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION, TIE RODS, POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE AND ALSO RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE STRUTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE THAT DOES MD STATE INSPECTIONS TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED AND THEY QUICKLY FOUND THE ISSUE....THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR WAS FATIGUE CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH AT THE ATTACH POINT ON ONE END AND ONLY THE BOLT WAS HOLDING IT TOGETHER. THE STABILIZER BAR WAS REPLACED AND THE NOISE WENT AWAY. IF I HAD TAKEN THE GM DEALER'S ADVICE I WOULD HAVE SPENT AT LEAST $1,850 AND STILL HAD THE PROBLEM. THE MECH. AT THE INSPECTION STATION SAYS THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN GM MAKES/MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 84,700

THIS IS THE FIFTH (5TH) TIME THE RACK AND PINION HAS GONE OUT ON THIS VEHICLE IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS - MAY 2013 THROUGH JULY 2013. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE - THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH "GENUINE GM PARTS" AND STILL CONTINUES TO GO OUT IN ABOUT A WEEK AFTER INSTALL. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? I SEND COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT TO YOU AND TO THE BUICK PEOPLE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE. WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO TO KEEP SENDING COMPLAINTS TO YOUR AGENCY? WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO TO SEND COMPLAINTS TO BUICK AND GENERAL MOTORS - NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN, NOTHING IS GOING TO BE FIXED. BAH!!!!!!! I WILL DEFINITELY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER AMERICAN VEHICLE AGAIN! NOTHING BUT THE RUNAROUND. IF MY NAME WAS SHAQUILLE O'NEAL THEY WOULD BE SENDING ME A BRAND NEW VEHICLE TO SHUT ME UP. *TR

Mileage: 72,500

CAR WAS REPAIRED THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013, PICKED UP ON THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013, RACK AND PINION WENT OUT FRIDAY NIGHT, JUNE 28, 2013 FOR THE FOURTH () TIME IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS DEFECT. THERE WAS NO WARNING, STEERING GOT TIGHT, PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE FLUID, WAS EMPTY, PUT SOME MORE IN AND IT POURED OUT THE BOTTOM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. JUST LIKE THE OTHER THREE TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 72,500

MY SON WAS DRIVING AND THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT AGAIN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN TWO MONTHS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS LIKE LOST OF LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 69,500

SON WAS DRIVING TO PICK UP HIS MOTHER FROM WORK. STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN (2ND TIME IN ONE MONTH). VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS NOT ONE MONTH AGO. PROBLEM HAS RECURRED. GM IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PLATFORM (SHARED WITH BUICK LUCERNE) AND CHOOSES NOT TO FIX OR ADDRESS THE PROBLEM UNTIL THERE IS LOSS OF LIFE. THE NHTSA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM ALSO. *TR

Mileage: 67,800

MY WIFE AND SON HAVE COMPLAINED FOR LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS THAT THE POWER STEERING IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN, MAKES FUNNY NOISES, BUMPING/THUMPING SOUND, WHEN TURNING, A LOW SOUNDING SCREECHING NO POWER STEERING FLUID. MY SON WAS DRIVING TO FOOTBALL PRACTICE THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON WHILE TURNING A CORNER, IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. A CLASSMATE WITH HIM, AND TOGETHER THEY HAD TO TURN THE CAR (ALMOST WRECKING THE VEHICLE). I WENT TO GET THE CAR AND CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL, THERE WAS NONE IN THE PUMP. I PUT SOME IN AND CHECKED UNDER THE CAR. POWER STEERING FLUID WAS POURING OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AFTER FILLING IT AGAIN, THEY POWER STEERING WORKED FOR ONLY A MOMENT OR SO, SCREECHING AT THE SAME TIME AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT NO LONGER WORKED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BUSTED POWER STEERING HOSE. MY WIFE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, THEY PUT IT UPON THE RACK AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE RACK AND PINION THAT WENT OUT. THAT IT WOULD COST AROUND $700 TO REPAIR IT. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS AS I AM TYPING THIS - MILEAGE IS AROUND 67,500 - PROBLEM INITIALLY BEGAN (PER MY WIFE AND SON) A COUPLE OF MONTHS OR SO AGO. I DO NOT DRIVE THAT VEHICLE, OTHERWISE I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE NOTICED THE PROBLEM MUCH SOONER. THERE ARE SEVERAL BUICK VEHICLES BUILT ON THE SAME TYPE OF PLATFORM AS OUR 2005 BUICK LACROSSE THAT HAVE RECALLS. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE PROBLEMS APPEARS TO BE ACROSS THE BOARD? ALMOST ALL THE COMPLAINTS I RESEARCHED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH BUICK LACROSSE IS A REPEAT OF WHAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT. BUICK (GENERAL MOTORS) SHOULD ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT - YES I SAID DEFECT." IT IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM AND WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE FORCED TO ADDRESS IT. MY BOY ALMOST HAD WRECK BEHIND IT AND GENERAL MOTORS/BUICK WON'T FIX IT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. ENOUGH SAID. *TR

Mileage: 67,549

MY LOCAL BUICK DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING RACK ON MY 2005 BUICK LACROSSE CXL ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2012. THE SYMPTOMS INCLUDED A LOUD WHINE WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A LEFT TURN. A SEAL IN THE STEERING RACK LEAKED, AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED INTO THE BOOT, BUT NOT ON TO THE GROUND. GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND I FEEL THAT IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS STEERING RACK MAY BE COMMON TO BUICK REGAL, PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, AND CHEVROLET IMPALA. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 44,451

MY COMPLAINT IS A DUPLICATE OF ALL THE OTHER STEERING COMPLAINS. IT HAS A CRUNCHING-GRINDING SOUND AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. IT STARTED AT ABOUT 41,000 MILES. I SEE THAT IT STARTED MUCH EARLIER WITH MANY OTHER LACROSSE'S. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU GM??? WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A REPUTABLE DEALER AND OF COURSE IT STARTED JUST THREE MONTHS AFTER. I EVEN PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH OF COURSE DOES NOT COVER THIS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A GM BEFORE AND THOUGHT THAT THIS COULD BE MY LUCKY CAR. WRONG. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

THE STEERING IS BECOMING VERY STIFF. CHECKED POWER STEERING FLUID AND IT'S OK. IS THERE A HISTORY OF THIS? HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY RECALL NOTICE OR SERVICE BULLETINS. STEERING COLUMN SEEMS TO BE TOO LOOSE AND RATTLES. *TT

Mileage: 48,000

DATE OF REPAIR 02/16/2011 MILEAGES: 039610 REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE RODS, DISCOVERED WORN WHEN THEY BALANCED BOTH SIDES. THERE WAS ALWAYS A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR IT STILL RETAIN THE CLUCKING NOISE AND SO DECIDED TO GO ON LINE AND MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS THERE SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE AND IS IT LIFE THREADING. WILL THE GOVERNMENT FORCE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

ON OR ABOUT MAY 8, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM MY SON AND HIS FRIEND WERE DRIVING IN THE BUICK. MY SON TRIED TO TURN THE CAR AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TURNED. THEY DROVE THE CAR TO MY HOUSE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY. I WENT OUT AND SAW A LARGE PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS POWER STEERING FLUID. I DID HAVE THIS CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE HOUSE FITTING ON THE POWER STEERING FAILED. HE STATED THIS IS A RE-ENGINEERED GM PART ONLY AVAILABLE VIA GM. HE STATED THAT THE RE-ENGINEERED DESIGN DID NOT ALLOW FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE HOSE SINCE THE PUMP WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO GM. HE QUOTED ME $650 PARTS AND LABOR. I DID CALL GM ON OR ABOUT MAY 10 2011 AND SPOKE WITH BRIONNA. SHE ASKED ME TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO A GM DEALER AT MY EXPENSE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I DID PAY TO HAVE THIS CAR TOWED A 2ND TIME TO COMMUNITY MOTORS. SHE STATED THEY WOULD COMMUNICATE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY ASSISTANCE THEY COULD OFFER. I SPOKE WITH DENNIS FROM COMMUNITY ON MAY 11 2011 AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A P/S STEERING FAILURE AND THE HOSE AND PUMP WOULD NEED REPLACED. "AROUND $900." WAS WHAT I WAS QUOTED. I AGAIN SPOKE WITH BRIONNA ON MAY 11 AND SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD HAVE A DISTRICT REP IN CONTACT WITH ME ONCE HE COMPLETED HIS INVESTIGATION. I SPOKE WITH LARRY ON MAY 11 WHO ASKED SOME QUESTIONS AND TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH ME. THE ENTIRE TIME THE CAR SAT AT THE GM DEALER I RECEIVED 2 CALLS A DAY ASKING ME TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. I STATED THAT GM WAS INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD BE IN CONTACT WITH THEM. DENNIS SAID NO ONE FROM GM HAS TOLD US THEY WILL FIX THE CAR. AS SUCH ON 5/12/2011 I DID GO PICK THIS CAR UP. PLEASE NOTE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AWAY. THE FAILURE IS NOT A COMPLETED FAILURE.

Mileage: 94,496

MY VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING CLUNKING WHENEVER I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THE STEERING ALSO FELT A BIT LOOSE. I CONTACTED GM FOR VEHICLE RECALLS AND THERE WAS ONE ON THE STEERING COLUMN BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE OR THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WHICH AS IT TURNS OUT WAS THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THE SHAFT WAS LOOSE INTERNALLY. GM INSISTED I GO TO A GM DEALER FOR SERVICE TO SEE IF I "MIGHT" BE ELIGIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. I TOLD THEM I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO WAS CLOSER AND LESS EXPENSIVE. I OFFERED TO SEND THEM THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. GM STATED WHEN I FILED MY COMPLAINT WITH THEM THAT THEY WILL NOT REVIEW ANY VEHICLE ISSUES UNLESS SERVICED BY A GM DEALER. THEY ALSO OFFERED NO OPINION WHEN I TOLD THEM GM HAS MULTIPLE SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE CLUNKING ISSUE AND THIS DEFECTIVE PART. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 15 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THE NHTSA. APPARENTLY, GM WON'T TAKE OWNERSHIP OF DEFECTIVE PARTS UNLESS SOMEONE LOSES STEERING, DIES AND THEY ARE SUED. SO MUCH FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I AM CURIOUS HOW MANY OTHER INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY GM OR OTHER MECHANICS - MAYBE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TWO FRONT DEFECTIVE OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AT 30,000 MILES AND THIS IS WITH GENTLE DRIVING. LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART AND DANGEROUS TOO IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME.

Mileage: 35,143

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

Mileage: 26,000

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.

Mileage: 35,500

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

Mileage: 25,000

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

Mileage: 25,000

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

Mileage: 53,000

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

Mileage: 34,020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SCREECH COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,130 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 23,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. UPDATED 07/01/11

Mileage: 13,130

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

Mileage: 30,000

CLUNKING IN STEERING COLUMN. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

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

Mileage: 72,000

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.

Mileage: 20,000

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

Mileage: 32,939

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

Mileage: 18,000

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

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

Mileage: 23,000

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

Mileage: 30,000

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

Mileage: 47,120

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

Mileage: 24,000

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

Mileage: 27,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TSB REGARDING A CLUNKING NOISE (SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 4105, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10020049 (STEERING:COLUMN)). THE FAILURE OCCURS WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THE TSB STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAN BE RESOLVED BY GREASING THE WHEEL AND WAS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE FAILURE BEGAN AT 41,000 MILES IN 2007 WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE TSB; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. CURRENTLY, AT 66,000 MILES, THE FAILURE IS RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CORRECTED THE FIRST TIME AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT BELIEVES A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS INADEQUATE LUBRICATION, WHICH CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE HAS RETURNED. UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB

Mileage: 41,000

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

Mileage: 14,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE SPEED WOULD INCREASE AFTER DRIVING 3-4 MILES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER BEING PARKED FOR HOURS, IT IDLED ROUGHLY AND THE "TRACTION CONTROL" AND "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE PCM, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,800. UPDATED 3/19/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 40MPH. THE DEALER PERFORMED BRAKE PEDAL RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 03/19/08 *TR

Mileage: 5,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER ARE DIFFICULT TO READ DURING THE DAY OR EARLY MORNINGS BECAUSE THE SENSORS ARE DIM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LIGHT CLUSTER SWITCHES AND STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND INFORMATION CENTER WERE DESIGNED WITH DIM LIGHTING; THEREFORE, REPLACEMENTS WOULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED DUE TO A NOISE BEING HEARD IN THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE STARTER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 14,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK LACROSSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES AND ADJUSTED THE ALIGNMENT. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, THE FAILURES RECURRED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,470. UPDATED 01/24/08 *BF UPDATED 01/24/08 *TR

Mileage: 2,000

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

Mileage: 19,446