Founded by David Dunbar Buick in 1899, it’s the oldest active American carmaker, known for luxury vehicles that offer an alternative to the higher-end Cadillac and more mainstream Buick. While Buick’s innovation in the early 1900s, particularly with the overhead valve engine, propelled it to the forefront of the industry, today’s Buick owners in the U.S. might find solace in knowing that the brand has a longstanding reputation. However no brand is exempt from modern mechanical challenges, that could be addressed under lemon law statutes.
Buick Recalls
In recent years, Buick has issued several recalls for various models due to different component issues:
2022 Buick Enclave: A recall due to airbag issues.
2022 Buick Encore GX: Equipment-related recall.
2021 Buick Enclave: Two recalls concerning airbags.
2021 Buick Encore GX: Recalls for equipment and service brakes.
2020 Buick Enclave: Six recalls for tires, powertrain, fuel system, airbags, and structural issues.
2020 Buick Encore: Three recalls related to the powertrain and seats.
2020 Buick Encore GX: Two recalls for equipment and service brakes, among others.
These recalls reflect the commitment to safety and the continuous monitoring of vehicle performance post-production. If you own a Buick or are considering purchasing one, it’s recommended to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) database for the latest recall information.
Historic Problems with Buick Models
As certified Lemon Law Attorneys, we have encountered various clients who have faced significant challenges with their Buick vehicles. These cases often revolve around persistent mechanical issues that impede the vehicle’s performance and safety. Here are some of the Buick models that have been subject to such concerns:
2008 Buick Enclave: Clients have reported repeated transmission failures, power steering malfunctions, and severe engine problems, including broken internal components and blown head gaskets. Such defects can qualify under lemon law if they substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle and are not repairable after a reasonable number of attempts.
2002 Buick Rendezvous: This model has been brought to my attention for its unattractive design and antiquated technology, but more critically for its underperforming 3.4-liter V6 engine. A vehicle that does not meet reasonable performance expectations could be considered a lemon.
2005-2007 Buick Terraza: Clients have expressed dissatisfaction with the vehicle’s lack of refinement, sluggish acceleration, inadequate engine power, and insufficient safety features. These shortcomings, especially if they lead to recurrent safety issues, could form the basis of a lemon law claim.
1992 Buick Skylark: The redesign of this model led to complaints regarding its insufficient engine power and controversial aesthetic choices. If these issues are persistent and unresolved, they may be deemed to substantially impair the vehicle’s use or value.
2014 Buick Encore: This vehicle has been criticized for its lack of style, subpar build quality, and inadequate driving power. Additionally, issues like poor fuel economy and premature battery failure have been reported. Such persistent problems could potentially be grounds for a lemon law case.
For owners who have experienced these issues, it’s important to keep detailed records of all repair attempts and the days the vehicle was out of service. Under lemon law, if a vehicle’s defects are not fixed within a certain number of attempts or if it’s out of service for an extended period within the warranty term, the owner may be entitled to a refund or replacement.
Seek Legal Assistance for Your Buick
If you’ve experienced one of the problems above, or something similar, you can report it directly to the NHTSA so they can compile your complaint in their database. If they receive enough complaints on the same topic, they may launch an investigation into the matter.
Report your problem with your Buick within the original warranty period and you will have the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act working in your favor. This federal law was designed to protect consumers from unethical warranty practices. If a dealership failed to fix a warrantable defect in your Buick within three or more attempts and/or your vehicle has been twenty or more cumulative days out of service, you may have a viable suit against the manufacturer for breach of warranty.
You may also have state lemon laws on your side. Like the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, these laws exist to extend extra protection to you, the consumer.
Don’t keep driving your Buick back to the dealership for repairs. Robison Lemon Law Group LLC can help you navigate both the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and lemon laws to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.