NHTSA Complaint #11299390 — 2006 BUICK LUCERNE

THE DOORS, SPECIFICALLY REAR DOORS, IN THIS VEHICLE GET STUCK IN AN OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION. IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT THAT CAUSES THE DOOR LATCH TO STAY IN THE CLOSED POSITION, TRAPPING CHILDREN OR OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT, OR PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. FROM INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE LUCERNE (NOT JUST 2006) AND THE LACROSSE. FIRST WE HAD THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR GET STUCK CLOSED. AFTER A MONTH OR SO OF UNLOCKING AND LOCKING THE DOORS, IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN RANDOMLY, BUT A FEW MONTHS LATER, BECAME STUCK CLOSED AGAIN WITH NO TRIGGER. WE CONTINUED TO USE THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR, BUT ABOUT A YEAR LATER, IT GOT STUCK OPEN. AT FIRST THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN FOR MY SON, BUT I PULLED ON THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE WHILE HE PUSHED FROM THE INSIDE, AND WE GOT IT OPEN. WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, IT BOUNCED BACK. THE LATCH IS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS NOT ENGAGED. THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE LOCKS FUNCTION NORMALLY MANUALLY, WITH THE KEY FOB, AND BY PRESSING THE DRIVER'S BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND OFF DURING ALL INCIDENCES.