General Motors is recalling certain 2012 Buick Regal vehicles for a problem with parking lamps. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the parking lamps do not activate when either the parking lamps or headlamps are turned on. The inadequate lighting will reduce the visibility of the vehicle and increases the potential for an accident. GM will be notifying owners this month and will fix the issue by reprogramming the body control module. For more information about the problem, contact GM customer services at 1-800-521-7300.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating certain GM vehicles after receiving twelve complaints of smoke and fire from the inside of doors of some Trail Blazer mid-size sport utility vehicles. The complaints are similar to consumer reports that lead the NHTSA to open an investigation into some 2007 Camry, Camry Solara and Rav4 vehicles, earlier this month. The NHTSA will be focusing on whether window switches on the GM and Toyota vehicles were manufactured by the same supplier. The investigation could affect up to 310,000, 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazers. According to the safety administration, the Buick Rainer, Saab 9-7x, and the GMC Envoy share the same parts at the Trail Blazer, but these vehicle are not part of the investigation yet


General Motors (GM) has announced a new safety feature designed to protect drivers and front passengers in side impact crashes. This front center air bag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat and positions itself between the front row seats near the center of the vehicle. It acts as an energy absorbing cushion between the driver and front passenger in both driver and passenger side crashes. The front center airbag will be introduced standard on all 2013 Acadia and 2013 Traverse vehicles with power seats and on all 2013 Enclaves.

The front center air bag is expected to add to the vehicles’ record of third-party crash test performance. The 2012 model year editions of these crossovers vehicles have received five-star Overall and Side Crash safety ratings from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program, and 2011 Top Safety Picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The air bag also is expected to add extra protection during rollovers.

General Motors has announced a recall for certain 2012 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedans to reprogram the electronic brake control module. The problem is being blamed on a system calibration error that will not properly detect a sensor malfunction. The driver could experience wandering in the steering and an inability to maintain a constant speed. LaCrosse owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080.

General Motors has also announced a recall for some 2012 Chevrolet Impala vehicles to reroute the power steering hose. According to GM, the hose could be damaged by heat from the catalytic converter. In the presence of an ignition source, an engine fire could occur. Impala owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has started an investigation into over 850,000 General Motors SUV’s after receiving complaints of inaccurate fuel gauges. Of the 668 complaints received, 58 said that their vehicle ran out of fuel even though the fuel gauge said there was still fuel in the tank. The vehicles involved in this investigation include:

  • 2005-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • 2005-2007 G.M.C. Envoy
  • 2005-2007 Buick Rainier
  • 2005-2007 Saab 9-7x

General Motors has announced a recall for some 2011 Buick Lacross and 2011 Cadillac SRX vehicles for a problem with the windshield defrosting and defogging systems. The problem is being blamed on a bug with the Electronic Climate Control (ECC) module that may disable the ability for the driver to adjust the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The lack of ability to defrost the windows may decrease the drivers visibility and could result in an accident.

Recall notices will be sent out starting middle of March, which will have dealers reprogramming the defrost system free of charge to the customer. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, or go to the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

On Tuesday, GM announced that they will be recalling almost a quarter million crossover sport utility vehicles for problems with seat belts. The recall will affect 2009-2010 Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Saudi Arabia.

According to a GM press release, the problem is with the second-row safety belt buckles. When the seats are laid flat and then returned to the upright position the buckle could come in contact with the seat frame and become damaged. Eventually, the buckle may fail to latch and unlatch properly or may appear to latched when it is not.

The auto maker will begin notifying owners of vehicles affected by the GM crossover recall this month. Dealers will inspect the seat belts and replace it if necessary, as well as reshape the side trim to allow the seats to fold without damaging the seat belts. The company said they discovered the problem when they inspected damaged safety belts in warranty return vehicles, but there have been no reports of seat belt failure to date.

2009 Buick Enclave – Steering – Intermittent stiff steering after driving through water. This may be caused by the water reaching the drive belt which causes the belt to slip on the pulleys.

Are you frustrated with your Buick. Do you have to keep going in for the same problem and the dealership is unable to fix it? Call the California Lemon Law Firm of Delsack and Associates for answers. 888-Ex-Lemon.