NHTSA Complaint #10217822 — 2003 BUICK LESABRE

THIS INCIDENT IS REGARDING A SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 2003 BUICK LESABRE, PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2003. IN JANUARY OF 2008, WITH 47,692 MILES ON THE CAR, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE INCIDENT - THE VEHICLE LURCHED, BUCKED, RAPIDLY PICKED UP SPEED AND RAPIDLY LOST SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS SITUATION WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS TO BOTH MYSELF, PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. MY REMEDY WAS TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VEHICLE REPAIR CENTER EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH POST-1997 BUICKS, IN WHICH THERE IS A TYPICALLY FAULTY TRANSMISSION. HE CITED THAT HE MAY SEE CLOSE TO 100 SIMILAR CASES PER YEAR. IN FACT, WHILE I WAS DISCUSSING MY CAR WITH HIM ANOTHER POST-1997 BUICK CAME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT A CHRONIC MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT EXISTS THAT AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER WITH A PRODUCT RECALL OR WARRANTY CONCESSION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR