general problems of the 2008 Buick Lucerne - part 1

I purchased the vehicle a week before the incident. There were no warning lights or messages and nothing to indicate there was a problem. I was driving in a crowded parking lot so I was going very slow. When I turned my car suddenly died. My husband was passenger and my daughter and 2 sons were in the back. Smoke started coming from the seat and we all rushed out of the car while the seat was on fire. My husband pulled the seat out and put the fire out. I was not aware the battery is located under the back seat. I had the car towed and inspected by a mechanic. I was told the battery does not have a cover so the metal from the seat was touching the battery causing the fire. The battery is a top post battery that is recommended for this vehicle. I can find no information about a battery cover. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have photos and the report from the mechanic but I'm having trouble uploading them.

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel pump relay and fuse had melted, and the fuse box located underneath the rear seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,000.

Fuse box (rear) 2008 Buick Lucerne cxl. Fuel pump relay burns fuses out quickly. The fuse box located under the back seat has been having issues of burning where the fuel pump relay is located. It then in turn shorts out the fuse box which keeps needing to be replaced. This is a safety issue as it catches fire under the back seat. Fuse box has been replaced before and continues to have issues and melts, causing the vehicle to die in mid traffic, does at stop lights or even just parked and running it dies out and smells like burning plastic. The fuse box has caught fire several times. The issue has been confirmed by several mechanics and dealerships. Also there is a history of electrical problems with the rear fuse box in carfax. There was no warning, and now the check engine light is illuminated. We bought the vehicle last year in June of 2024. There seem to be no problems at the time until shortly after we had bought the vehicle. Turns out there's a long history of electrical problems involving the rear fuse box with this vehicle. I have uploaded screenshots of the car report on this vehicle. There are more complaints.

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed the vehicle lost motive power with the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that immediately after his wife had started the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently lost power and was unable to be restarted. After a visual inspection of the battery compartment, the contact observed that the fuse relay showed signs of an electrical fire. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was not available.

Vehicle shuts off due to fuel pump relay connection problem which is due to the back seat rubbing against the fuse box.

Our Buick Lucerne would crank but wouldn't turn over when trying to start after trying to pick up take out. 1) it was suggested to me by a passerby that it sounds like a fuel pump relay. 2)I started to smell something burning. The passerby who happens to be familiar with Buick Lucerne tried to help. He lifted the back seat and showed me the fuel pump relay which was burned. Then he switched the electrick window relay which is the exact same relay switch and the car started. Went immediately to an autozone and bought spare fuel pump relay. Thought that solve the problem, but every 2 to 3 days I'd smell that burning smell. 3) the mechanic I've been going to for 10 years confirmed the issue 4)have not taken to dealer or insurance rep 5)absolutely no visual warning on dashboard. The warning happens when I start smelling the burning odor. Started one and a half months ago. . . .

Vehicle refused to start. No warning light illuminated on dash. Checked fuel pump relay and it was burned. Replaced and it keeps burning and getting extremely hot. Relay has been replaced x4. Fuse box is starting to melt. Wiring to fuel pump is free of any corrosion on wiring/prongs. Interior starts to smell of heavy smoke increasing the risk of a fire in the rear seats.

I went to start the vehicle and it failed to start. I found the fuel pump relay to be badly burned ??. On the 30 pin. The board was melted at the 30 pin spot for the fuel pump relay. I purchased a new relay from napa. I questioned whether they had a new replacement fuel pump. They told me it was not available only through the dealership. My concern was that where the relay was located at there was a possibility of a fire given how badly the relay and board was burned. I replaced the relay and purchased an extra incase this might happen again. To my surprise it happen just days later while I was driving on the expressway. I had to get off the road immediately. Engine died, no power steering. I checked the relay, it was smoking hot. I will have to have the problem resolved. There is no way a relay should ever get hot, let alone that hot. The fuel pump fuse was not effected. Why is the relay not protected from getting so hot. There is definitely a real risk of fire. No one sits in the back seat normally. But, my grandson's. This should not ever happen.

The transmission started not shifting as I was driving down the road and the relay fuse box caught on fire and I think it’s where the back seat lays on top of the fuse box which rubs the fuses. Which is dangerous bc it catches on fire and could blow the car up while driving.

The fuse block is shorting out and melting and causing the fuel pump relay to burn.

Our fuze box is located under rear seat. The relay fuze for the fuel pump melted so bad it was hot and could of caused fire. Am hearing alot of people sayung they have same issue.

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that after investigating the failure online, her husband purchased a fuse box relay from an unknown dealer and installed the part underneath the rear seats of the vehicle. The vehicle then started; however, the failure recurred approximately 5 days later. The contact's husband replaced the relay for a second time; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the fuse box relay had melted and there was smoke. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 10v240000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,500.

The fuse box under the back seat has been having issues of burning for the fuel pump relay. It then in turn shorts out the fuse box which keeps needing to be replaced. This is a safety issue as it it catch fire under the back seat.

The rear fuse box burned out the fule pump relay because of the metal hooks for the seat hit it and pop the fuse out causing it to ark and burn out. I had to have the fule pump replaced twice as that what I was told at auto shops. Going on line was the only reason I found out about the fuse box. After my car died and wouldnt start, opened the casing and sure enough the fule pump housing was completely burned. So now after replacing two fule pumps my emergency money is gone and who knows how long it will before am able to buy a 400$ fuse box with probably another couple hundred in labor to change it out. All because there was to much metal on the seat hooks.

The fuel pump relay kept burning out. And caused the fuse box terminal heat damage. Almost started on fire and started smoking. Vehicle stalled out on the freeway and the dept of public safety towed my vehicle off the freeway.

The crank shaft sensor went out and caused the steering and brakes to go out. It took out all communications with the car. I had had intermittent problems with it as it went out, and it didn't throw a code showing what the problem was. (I took it to aamco once and goodyear twice before they could identify the problem. ) (some Buick dealers do not work on cars over 10 years, and some do not use off-market parts when gm has chosen to stop making replacement parts, such as the rack and pinion/steering gear. Their goal is to sell cars, not maintain. ) at 150,000+ miles, sensors go out, and I expect to replace them. What I don't expect is deliberate design that will cause the vehicle to be or cause damage(d). This is a design flaw by gm and I wonder how many mystery crashes can be related to this.

To start things off the car would crank but not start. My wife did some research and these cars have a problem with the fuel pump relay shorting out. So I replaced it and it fixed the problem for a few days. I was driving home from work and the car shut off. I could smell plastic burning. I pulled over and pulled the fuse box cover off which is located under the rear seat and I pulled the relay out and burned my fingers in the process. So something is wrong and it's causing the relay to overheat and melt. There are many people according to carcomplaints. Com that have the same issue. I've seen a lot of people saying that gm says that the seat bracket touches the fuse box putting pressure on the relay causing this problem. Well after I replaced the relay I did not put the rear seat on and it still burned out. In my mind it seems to be a fire safety hazard. No check engine lights came on either.

1. Fuse box was replaced, yes. 4th repair shop replaced. I say only time will tell for sure. I don't drive every day 2. Driving I-95 from va to MD at speeds of 30+ to 75+ cars driving close behind could have ran into rear causing my car, their car, and multiple other cars to be in major accident with possible multiple deaths. 3. Reproduced, no. Independent service center, no 4. No. Other - the 4th repair shop inspected vehicle component. 5. No warning lamps. No messages or symptoms, car just stalled and would not start/move and w?hen I tried to start car again car would not start, but had all kinds of warnings lamps lit up. The first time the engine stalled was driving (moving) into entrance of toll booth in richmond, va, July 27, 2021 approx. 2:15 pm. Additional info: four (4) times car stalled while driving in traffic without warning, car would not start again had to be towed each time to a repair shop. Three (3) repair shops did not repair the problem. First repair shop charged me approx. $350. 00 +- for repairs. Plus I had to stay over night in hotel costing me approx. $120. 00+- total $470. 00 +- car still had same problem!! second repair shop did not charge me for repairs, but not sure if any work was done, had to get a car rental to get back to maryland. S second shop kept car ofr 6 days before working on problem. Car rental cost me $467. 27. Total $467. 27 car still had same problem!!! third repair shop kept car for 5 days, charged me approx. $125. +-, still the car had the same problem. Total $125. 00+- car still had same problem!!!! fourth repair shop says he found fuse box to be the problem, repair cost me approx $554. 00+- total $554. 00 my total expenses are approx. $1,491. 20 only time will tell if problem has been fixed, not to mention the extreme emotional stress dealing with delays on repairs and extreme emotional stress driving not knowing when or how car would stall again.

I keep fixing this car for the last 11 months , and still can not drive it after $5,000 in repairs, the car stops in the middle of the intersection , on the freeway several times. I went to different mechanics, the dealership to, they keep fixing it, charging me, but the car is still not fixed. I'm afraid to drive it because I don't wanna lose my life and to jeopardize another's people lives. The car just stops while I'm driving.

-the electrical system failed, causing the fuel pump to not work properly due to design flaw in the backseat putting pressure on the fuse box which is located under the backseat. The spot where contact is made to the fuse box, is where the fuel pump relay is. Pressure from the seat bracket (with or without a passenger in the seat) causes the pump replay to not make proper contact with the terminal, therefore causing the power to arc and get so hot that the relay starts smoking, melting the relay, fuse box and surrounding fuses and leaving black scorch marks on the inside of the lid to fuse box and making the car smell like burnt plastic. In addition to now having to purchase multiple replacement relays it has also caused additional electrical issues which resulted in having to replace multiple fuses as well as purchase another battery due to theses issues putting added strain on my battery which caused it to drain and not hold a charge any more. Yes the car and parts are available for inspection. -my safety and the safety of others is at risk due to major risk of catching on fire which could happen while driving and therefore cause an accident, could cause one of my passengers, including my child or myself to be severely hurt/burnt. -yes the issue has been reproduced by many other owners of the same year/make/model as per the hundreds of previous complaints found about the same issue. -no there were no warning lights, signals or messages before the failure. No warning at all.

Recently replaced fuel pump. After repair, car was still a crank/no start. Replaced fuel pump relay which had obvious burn/scorching evidence, as well as melting around female port on the fuse box. Since then have had to replace 3 other new fuel pump relays due to problem of excessive heat or electrical surge frying the relay. After researching the problem, it was found that the problem is caused by the back seat of the vehicled coming in contact with the top of the fuse box causing the relay to move, causing the relay to work harder to maintain a connection, which in turn creates more current and the resulting heat increase melts the casing in the fuse box and kills the relay. When the relay is compromised in such a way the fuel pump stops operating and the engine gets no gas thus creating a crank/no start if the car is parked or causes the car to stall out if the car is in motion. In reasearching this matter, it is clear that gm has been aware of this situation for over 10 years. There are multitudes of individuals effected by this problem with some of them having smoking or burning issues with the relay. Personally, I have had stall outs while going with the flow of traffic which resulted in vehicle control issues such as braking and steering and excelleration, gm had extended repair period for the issue but failed to notify owners so many were unaware of the repairs or even the issue until the problems occurred. No recall has been initiated by gm even though it is a clear safety issue due to the control issues when stall outs occur and the potential for fires under the seat as the problem progresses. Gm refuses to cover repairs to affected vehicles since the courtesy repair order expired and the vehicles are typically out of warranty. Vehicle involved is a 2008 Buick Lucerne but the issue effects other gm cars. Gm TSB 15-na-051 for tech directives.

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact referred to the NHTSA campaign number: 08v441000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a burning plastic odor was present inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who indicated that the fuse box located under the rear seat was hot to the touch and the relays inside had milded causing the fuel pump to over heat and fail. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer courtesy Buick located at 7 auto center dr. Louisville ky was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000. Jft.

Car wouldn't start kept trying to start it and it would make a clicking noise and then all of a sudden a small electrical fire staffed in the fuse box in the rear seat of car.

Within the last month, my car has burned though 3 fuel pump relays. One connection is bubbling up in a certain spot. The fuse box is hot to the touch, and a glove was needed to pull the fuel relay out and the bubbling is now apparent on the fuse box itself. I had just finished a 260 mile round trip with my sister and when we stopped for food, the car would crank but not start.

Car has gone through 3 fuel pump relay fuses in 3 months last one started on fire just from starting vehicle.

In the last month and a half my 2008 Buick Lucerne has burned up six fuel pump relays it keeps melting the relays and the fuse block I believe this to be a safety hazard as it could catch on fire this should definitely be recalled.

Rear seat makes contact with top of fuse block cover causing it to push aginst fuel pump relay causing it to overheat and burn out. This relay gets heated to the point that it could present a fire hazard. Due to the heat it generates, it melts the fuse block causing it to have to be replaced. Back seat cannot support weight of an average size person. This problem causes the vehicle to shut down and lose power rendering lose of power steering and power brakes. It is unreprehensible that gm is not made to correct this blatant mistake. This has happened 4 times and the block has been replaced by authorized buic dealer.

Car was stationary fuel relay burnt out. We replaced it and new one went out. Thought it was fuel pump. Replaced pump and still wouldn't crank. Realised the fuse block is bad. Saw online where this is a common issue. We are having a hard time finding the correct block. Ordered one from gm online and it was the wrong one. Sent it back. Car has been down for over a month. This should be a recall.

Fuse box under the seat overheats and burns out fuel pump relay along with the fuse box. Unsafe if it happens while driving.

Twice in the last twelve months there has been a short in the tail light assembly resulting in my battery getting drained. I could not get to my tools in the trunk because I could not get the electrical system to open the trunk and I could not open it manually. The short has been due to an electrical wire being pinched between a washer and the frame when the tail light assembly was replaced after a bulb was replaced. It caused my car to die while running.

Fule pump relay fuse box cought fire.

My car shut off will not start with key in the ignition, and when started with the keyless remote it still will not move and car will not come out of park. The whole entire ignition system is locked up. I tried my spare key the car has shut down and it had to be towed home. The car was stationary.

Tl the contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the fuse box failed three times in three months. Also, while driving, a burning odor was detected. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, opened the back seat of the vehicle, and noticed that the fuel fuse was burned. The contact replaced the fuse, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the fuel box and fuel pump were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact spoke with murdock Hyundai logan (located at 3131 main st, logan, ut 84341, (888) 494-8023) and the contact was informed that there would be a fee for diagnostic testing and repairs. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.