NHTSA Complaint #10370855 — 2011 BUICK LACROSSE

WE BOUGHT A NEW 2011 BUICK LACROSSE CXS 11-15-10, DROVE IT 200 MILES AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED IN COSTCO PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH AND NO IMPACT. THE RIM POPPED OPEN AT THE CENTER SEAM CREATING A BIG OVAL OPENING THAT LOCKED UP ON THE BRAKE CALIPER, STOPPING THE WHEEL WHICH SNAPPED THE TIE ROD END, LETTING THE TIRE WEDGE INTO THE INNER FENDER THEN THE A-ARM BENT AND CAUSED SOME DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CRADLE. MY WIFE CRACKED HER HEAD ON THE SIDE WINDOW IT WENT DOWN SO FAST. THE GENERAL MOTORS ENGINEER CAME TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT, FOUND NO IMPACT DAMAGE, BUT REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION. THE TIRE SHOWS NO IMPACT BRUISES AND THE RIM HAS NO DAMAGE EXCEPT FOR A SMALL CHUNK ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIM WHERE THE STEERING RAM POPPED THE RIM WHEN IT LOCKED INTO THE INTER FENDER. MY POINT: IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE RIM STARTED THIS CHAIN REACTION, BUT AT SUCH A MINOR SPEED THE SUSPENSION SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A NEW SUSPENSION FOR THE 2011 CXS SPORT MODEL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. I DO NOT WANT TO RISK MY FAMILIES SAFETY WHEN I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THIS NEW SUSPENSION AND HAVE ASK FOR A REFUND. GM HAS DENIED MY REQUEST, AND NOW IT GOES TO MY ATTORNEY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR CONSUMER SAFETY. *TR