10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 43,841 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
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.
- Akron, PA, USA
Power steering went out completely, no warning just out. Had a very hard time steering car. Lucky know one was hurt.
- Eau Claire, WI, USA
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.
- Celina, OH, USA
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 Buick 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.
- Boynton Beach, FL, USA
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 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.
- Pineheurst, NC, USA
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!!
- Erie, PA, USA
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 the intermediate shaft was replaced due to a noise being heard in the steering while driving. The starter motor was replaced. Updated
- Mckees Rocks, PA, USA
- Rochester, NY, USA