NHTSA Complaint #10251784 — 2005 BUICK LACROSSE

TL*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 *BF 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. *JB