NHTSA Complaint #10422369 — 2003 BUICK LESABRE

THE UPPER DASH PAD IS PEELING FROM ITS BACKING, OPENING A 1" GAP APPROXIMATELY A FOOT ACROSS, IN FRONT OF THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DEFROSTER GRILLE HOUSING. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM, REQUESTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. GM CREATED A CASE FILE (#71-969127956) AND I WAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. I THEN REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH THE GM DISTRICT REP, WHO ALSO DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE AND WOULD NOT ACKNOWLEDGE KNOWING OF BUICK HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS COMPONENT. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE I OBTAINED IS $1080.20. I FIRST OBSERVED THE PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 47,000 MILES. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS ENCLOSED IN THIS PAD AND I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE SPLIT IN THE DASH EXTENDS FAR ENOUGH, IT COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 48,000 MILES AND ASIDE FROM THIS PROBLEM, IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF ANY PENDING ACTION NHTSA MAY BE CONSIDERING TO FORCE GM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT, WHICH HAS BEEN HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO YOU BY SEVERAL OTHER BUICK OWNERS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT REPRESENTING THE PUBLIC IN VEHICLE DEFECT MATTERS. *TR