NHTSA Complaint #10876889 — 2005 BUICK TERRAZA

THE 2005 BUICK TERRAZA IS EQUIPPED WITH A GM STABILITRACK SYSTEM, WHICH COMBINES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE, TRACTION AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS. I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT 60 MPH ON A STRAIGHT ROAD DURING A DRY, SUNNY DAY AND FULLY LOADED WITH CAMPING GEAR, CHILDREN, THEIR COMPUTER GAMES AND MY WIFE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING A SMALL TRAILER. IN AN INSTANT, THE VAN LURCHED AS THE BRAKES ENGAGED ON THEIR OWN. WE LOST 20 MILES PER HOUR IN A SECOND. WE PITCHED FORWARD IN OUR SEAT BELTS, AND THE VAN SWERVED TO THE LEFT INTO THE OTHER LANE OF THE INTERSTATE. I STEERED AS BEST I COULD, BUT IT FELT LIKE SUGGESTING A DIRECTION MORE THAN DRIVING. EVERYTHING WAS MUSHY AND THE TRAILER WANTED TO KEEP GOING. WE PITCHED LEFT AND RIGHT TWICE. THE PANEL SAID THAT THE 'STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVE.' I MANAGED TO STEER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND STOP. I BREATHED AND PRESSED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS. THE KIDS ASKED WHAT HAPPENED, AND I MANAGED TO SAY THAT WE ONLY TOOK A YEAR OFF OF MY LIFE, SAVED THEIRS, AND ENDED THE LIFE OF THIS VAN. A MILE AHEAD, THE INTERSTATE WAS RESTRICTED TO ONE LANE GOING EACH DIRECTION.