10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 99,405 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.
The grommets and/or washers that hold up the engine frame cradle rusted out and allowed this part to drop through the retaining bolts, once this happened there was a total loss of steering. Had I been driving on the interstate or 60 mph on a state highway this would have turned into a very serious accident. I was sitting at a stoplight and the moment I accelerated I heard a very loud metallic thud/sound, which I assume was the cradle dropping down. I'm amazed that this all happened with zero warning that they were any issues with the steering. There was never any indication that this was going to happen, meaning no looseness, no vibration, no sensory changes in how the steering felt but all in a matter of 2 seconds, a loud noise and then I couldn't steer or guide the car. I hit the brakes because I was trying to turn right and the car was moving left so I slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting oncoming traffic. I live in the midwest and I believe that the corrosion was advanced due to all the salt that is placed on the roads to melt the ice/snow during the winter months. I'm writing this in hope that others will be notified and possibly have the condition of their cradles checked out to avoid losing their steering.
- Frankfort, IN, USA
The contact owns a 1996 Buick Lesabre. While driving 25 mph, the contact struck a pothole and lost control of the vehicle. He noticed that the four rear washers were rusted, which caused the engine and transaxle frame to detach from the vehicle. As of October 24, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The contact replaced four upper and lower washers and isolators, in addition to four bolts. The failure mileage was 70,620 and current mileage was 70,670. Updated 12/07/07
- Niagra, WI, USA
The mounts on the engine cradle broke and dropped and steering disengaged. The rack and pinion fell within the engine. Owner was in a parking lot driving when this happened. The speed was between 5-10 mph. There were no prior problems with the vehicle. The manufacturer said that the owner will not be getting any help resolving this problem today. This happened on July 20, 2005. There were no injuries. The 4 rear mounts on the engine cradle broke. The owner was having this repaired eventually. The information provided by the consumer was what he thought was relevant to the complaint. All the information collected is what the owner of the vehicle has wish to provide. The owner was on the phone with Buick customer service and they contacted the owners dealer and told the owner that they would not send anyone to the owners home to examine the damage.
- Sterling Heights, MI, USA
- Palm Beach Shores , FL, USA