2008 Buick LaCrosse CX 3.8 V6 from North America
Summary:
It's unfortunate that such a great car manufacturer made such a piece of junk
Faults:
Where to begin?
At approx 4,000 miles it developed a transmission shutter when leaving from any kind of stop, plus a problem with the climate control system.
Even though I usually leave my temp set at around 72 in the winter, the temp jumps all over the place. Keep in mind I don't use the automatic feature.
Every time the climate control fan comes on, it always comes on high then works it's way down. Over the last year and a half I've had this piece of junk in the dealer numerous times for this and many other problems. Never have they been able to fix ANY of the complaints. It has been towed in twice. I simply can't believe it.
Here is a list of the problems that this car currently has, and now I'm running out of time to get GM to fix them:
Transmission shutter, engine surging on hills above 45 mph, heater fluctuation, blowing fuses for OnStar and power windows, windshield wipers "stick" while using intermittent, fuel leak-the inside of my car stinks like gas fumes, on the highway when I pass over slick spots it lunges to the left, when I use remote start it pops the trunk, popping noise and sensation under my left leg, drivers seat material is coming apart - they told my it's because I wear jeans in the car, the OnStar/XM antenna will not stay on - I've just purchased my 3rd one of those, there is a portion of my rear window defroster that doesn't work.
There is something I'm not remembering just right now. But I'm at the point with this thing that I want GM to buy it back or give me a full price trade in on it. It's not reliable and I don't trust that it can be fixed so it will be reliable for the next 70,000 miles. It doesn't qualify for the lemon law in CO.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 13th April, 2010
8th Oct 2010, 13:23
In response to your comment regarding the fan with automatic climate control, the fan speed starts on high and works its way down in EVERY vehicle that has auto climate control. The system is designed to quickly reach the desired temperature and adjust the fan speed to keep it at said temp.
If it is fluctuating too much, it is a result of you opening windows or having a bad seal, NOT the actual system itself.
There have been many Buicks in my family, and all of them perform exceptionally well (besides the Rendezvous, which was a massive failure mainly due to the sub-par engine (3.4 liter) that was put into it after years of GM knowing that they were problematic.
Even the 2003 Avalon that I currently drive has the same fan fluctuation. I had the seals checked, and wouldn't you know it, the weather stripping on the driver door needed to be replaced, and now the fan speed stays at low once it reaches the temp I have selected.
10th Oct 2010, 18:30
After 2 years and 24,000 miles, you want Buick to buy back your car?? Are you kidding?
27th Sep 2018, 21:08
Actually that is not true. On my Infiniti the fan starts out low and works its way up if required.
28th Sep 2018, 11:53
We have 16000 miles on ours already and just purchased this year. No issues. Loaded with every option. Oil changes with 1 tire repair. We had aftermarket tint installed. It is one really nice large sedan. Amazing how reasonably priced it is loaded.
16th Apr 2010, 05:54
I fully support your thoughts there. This is just not acceptable for a 2008 car. My 2005 Volvo hasn't had a SINGLE thing go wrong in its 72,000 miles - not even a squeak! You should definitely go back to the dealer and demand a change.