High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
PARKED CAR, TURNED OFF ENGINE AND LOCKED CAR. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN A SMALL EXPLOSION AND A RAGING FIRE. CAR WAS TOTALED IN 5-8 MINUTES. FIRE ENGINES CALLED AND PUT OUT FIRE. *TR
PARKED CAR, TURNED OFF ENGINE AND LOCKED CAR. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN A SMALL EXPLOSION AND A RAGING FIRE. CAR WAS TOTALED IN 5-8 MINUTES. FIRE ENGINES CALLED AND PUT OUT FIRE. *TR
OWNER PURCHASED A 2004 BUICK LESABRE, VIN [XXX] (?BUICK?), WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS. ON OCTOBER 14, 2010, OWNER DROVE THE BUICK FROM THE GROCERY STORE, RETURNED TO HER HOME, AND PARKED THE BUICK IN THE ATTACHED GARAGE OF HER HOME AND PROCEEDED TO RETRIEVE HER GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK OF THE BUICK. AFTER SHE RETRIEVED HER GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK OF THE BUICK, OWNER NOTICED A FIRE AT THE FRONT OF THE BUICK. THE FIRE SPREAD FROM THE BUICK TO THE OWNER'S HOME, AND IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BUICK AND TO THE HOME. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE BUICK. ON MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A RECALL, IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000, IN RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE TO OCCUR IN 207,542 AUTOMOBILES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS FROM 1997 TO 2003 AND CONTAINED A 3.8L ENGINE (?2008 RECALL?). OWNER'S BUICK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2008 RECALL. ON APRIL 21, 2009, GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED ANOTHER RECALL, IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000, IN RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN 1,497,516 AUTOMOBILES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS FROM 1997 TO 2003 (?2009 RECALL?). OWNER?S BUICK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2009 RECALL. A DEFECTIVE ROCKER COVER GASKET IN THE BUICK ALLOWED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS SUFFICIENT TO IGNITE THE OIL AND CAUSE THE FIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
OWNER PURCHASED A 2004 BUICK LESABRE, VIN [XXX] (?BUICK?), WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS. ON OCTOBER 14, 2010, OWNER DROVE THE BUICK FROM THE GROCERY STORE, RETURNED TO HER HOME, AND PARKED THE BUICK IN THE ATTACHED GARAGE OF HER HOME AND PROCEEDED TO RETRIEVE HER GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK OF THE BUICK. AFTER SHE RETRIEVED HER GROCERIES FROM THE TRUNK OF THE BUICK, OWNER NOTICED A FIRE AT THE FRONT OF THE BUICK. THE FIRE SPREAD FROM THE BUICK TO THE OWNER'S HOME, AND IT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE BUICK AND TO THE HOME. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE BUICK. ON MARCH 12, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED A RECALL, IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V118000, IN RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE TO OCCUR IN 207,542 AUTOMOBILES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS FROM 1997 TO 2003 AND CONTAINED A 3.8L ENGINE (?2008 RECALL?). OWNER'S BUICK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2008 RECALL. ON APRIL 21, 2009, GENERAL MOTORS ISSUED ANOTHER RECALL, IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000, IN RESPONSE TO THE POTENTIAL OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES IN 1,497,516 AUTOMOBILES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS FROM 1997 TO 2003 (?2009 RECALL?). OWNER?S BUICK WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE 2009 RECALL. A DEFECTIVE ROCKER COVER GASKET IN THE BUICK ALLOWED ENGINE OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS SUFFICIENT TO IGNITE THE OIL AND CAUSE THE FIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND EXITING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC FITTING HAD BECOME MOIST ON THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE O-RING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ONLY OTHER OPTION OF REPAIRING THE FAILURE WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 04/29/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK LESABRE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND EXITING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMALLY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC FITTING HAD BECOME MOIST ON THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE O-RING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ONLY OTHER OPTION OF REPAIRING THE FAILURE WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/09/11*LJ UPDATED 04/29/11
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, THE THEFT SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AND BATTERY PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *TS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: STALLING, GAUGES DYING OUT, ENGINE LIGHT AND SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATING, HARD TIMES STARTING THE ENGINE, RATTLE IN THE MIDDLE VENTS WHEN SET ON LOW, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CALIBRATION. MOST OF THE PROBLEMS WERE INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCES AND WERE HARD TO DUPLICATE. *SC
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, THE THEFT SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AND BATTERY PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *TS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: STALLING, GAUGES DYING OUT, ENGINE LIGHT AND SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATING, HARD TIMES STARTING THE ENGINE, RATTLE IN THE MIDDLE VENTS WHEN SET ON LOW, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CALIBRATION. MOST OF THE PROBLEMS WERE INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCES AND WERE HARD TO DUPLICATE. *SC
DT: CONTACT STATES THERE IS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VENT WHILE THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITION IS IN USE. THE SERVICE DEALER INSTALLED AN ELECTRONIC DEODORIZER FAN. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE SINCE THEN, AND THEY INSTALLED AN INTERIOR BOX FOR AN HOUR, AND SPRAYED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEODORIZER, AND CHECKED THE RECALL FAN.*AK
DT: CONTACT STATES THERE IS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VENT WHILE THE HEAT OR AIR CONDITION IS IN USE. THE SERVICE DEALER INSTALLED AN ELECTRONIC DEODORIZER FAN. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE SINCE THEN, AND THEY INSTALLED AN INTERIOR BOX FOR AN HOUR, AND SPRAYED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEODORIZER, AND CHECKED THE RECALL FAN.*AK
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELERATING THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. THE NEXT DAY CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THEN IT STALLED. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE WAS UNSURE IF THE ENGINE WAS NEW(AS ORDERED) OR REBUILT. *BF *NM
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. WHILE ACCELERATING THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. THE NEXT DAY CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THEN IT STALLED. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE WAS UNSURE IF THE ENGINE WAS NEW(AS ORDERED) OR REBUILT. *BF *NM
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN STOPPING OR BACKING UP. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS WORSE WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 2-3 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME HE WAS TOLD THAT MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS WERE INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING. *AK THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, SEAT'S AND FLOOR BOARDS. WHEN IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER. THE REAR SEAT MIDDLE ARM REST CUP HOLDER HAD COME APART. *SC *JB
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN STOPPING OR BACKING UP. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS WORSE WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER 2-3 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME HE WAS TOLD THAT MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS WERE INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING. *AK THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, SEAT'S AND FLOOR BOARDS. WHEN IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER. THE REAR SEAT MIDDLE ARM REST CUP HOLDER HAD COME APART. *SC *JB
CAR STALLS OUT WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, THIS HAS HAPPENED 25-30 TIMES IN THE 5 MONTHS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING U-TURNS OR BACKING OUT INTO TRAFFIC.*AK
CAR STALLS OUT WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, THIS HAS HAPPENED 25-30 TIMES IN THE 5 MONTHS SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THIS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING U-TURNS OR BACKING OUT INTO TRAFFIC.*AK