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

- Tucson, AZ, USA

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

- Blaine, MN, USA

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 melted causing the fuel pump to overheat 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.

- Louisville, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Lucerne. The contact stated that the fuse panel located in the rear middle seat was inoperable. The contact was unable to start the vehicle due to the failure. The contact stated that the ABS warning light, brake warning light and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The diagnostic testing information was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

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

- Blaine, MN, USA

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.

- South Bend, IN, USA

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.

- Hartford, AL, USA

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

- Lake Jackson, TX, USA

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.

- Cabot, AR, USA

I receive a letter from GM stating that the rear seat brackets may contact the electrical system causing damage including fires and draining of the batter. The letter further gave a very narrow time frame as well as conditions where owners could get reimbursement or repair of the problem which prohibits myself other owners from being able to correct this design defect without incurring sizable repair bills. I have replaced my battery twice because of the draining issues. The vehicle can not stay dormant for more than 2 days before the battery dies. It is unconscionable as well as an unscrupulous business practice to not recall the affected vehicles and have the problem corrected at no costs to the owners. I am lucky that it is just a battery drain, in some cases there have been fires and engine stalls. This is a potential life-threatening problem that should be corrected by GM immediately.

- Hampton, VA, USA

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.

- Logan, UT, USA

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

- Salinas, CA, USA

I received a letter in January, 2019 regarding this vehicle, stating that the "vehicle's rear seat bracket could contact the vehicle's rear electrical center (rec), which can, over time, damage electrical components within the rec enclosure. If damage occurs, the components can melt or overheat, which the customer may detect by a melting odor in the vehicle. Damage could also cause the vehicle's battery to drain, a no-start condition, or a stall." We have had 2 new batteries installed in this vehicle in recent years and I've also smelled the burning smell that they are referring to in this letter. I took the vehicle to shelton Pontiac Buick in rochester, mi to find out if our car had been affected by this condition, and after examining the rec harness, they said that it has been affected and needs repair. They quoted me $720 to repair it. Buick was the one who contacted me regarding this situation, which is unsafe and should be under a recall with no charge to the customer to fix. It is a manufacturer's problem and not due to wear and tear and I believe I should not be charged for this repair because of their faulty design. I have spoken with their customer assurance center many times and have gotten nowhere with them. I also wrote a letter to neelie O'connor, the executive director of Buick's North american contact center and never received a response. She was the person who signed the letter, alerting us to the problem. I do not want this vehicle to be unsafe as I am on the road a lot, going back and forth to detroit for cancer treatments. It needs to be fixed and Buick should pay for it.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

2008 Buick Lucerne. Consumer writes seeking reimbursement for vehicle repairs. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for repairs to the rear electrical center. The vehicle exceeded the mileage parameters.

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

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.

- Springfield, MO, USA

Fule pump relay fuse box cought fire

- Nashua, IA, USA

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.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

Experienced a crank no start on my 2008 Buick Lucerne, did some research to find this make/model/year has a long history of issues with the rear electrical center due to the placement under the back seat. The fuel pump relay fuse was extremely burnt and noticed the fuse box was melted near the relay fuse. Brought my car to the local Buick dealership and they notified me a 10 year "special coverage" was available on this car but I was never notified of the issue. I am the 2nd owner of this vehicle. Ended up having to pay for an entire new rear electrical center and the labor to replace it (~$700). I called GM customer service and they said they wouldn't be able to do anything about it. If the electrical box is being burned and it's directly under a seat I fear this is a major safety concern. I believe this should have warranted a recall and it absolutely should be required for GM to notify the current owner of the vehicle for this issue.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

Car wouldn't start checked fuse panel and fuel pump relay terminal is melted upon further research this is a common occurrence in the 2008-2011 Buick Lucerne models caused by the panel being directly under the rear seat bracket. Bracket applies pressure to panel lid which intern pushes and applies pressure to fuel pump relay GM recommends replacing relay with low profile style relay and cutting seat brackets. If this is such a know issue and GM recommends these modifications why is this not a safety recall? if the terminal is melting and burning like that this could cause a fire directly under a foam seat in the rear of a car and in my case directly under my children's car seats!!!!!!!!! I have to replace the entire fuse panel due to the melted contacts with estimate repair costs of over $300 for something that could be prevented by GM doing the right thing and fixing their problem!

- Osceola, IN, USA

I received a notice from Buick on Friday, Jan 18, 2019 stating that the rear seat bracket may be contacting the rear electrical center (rec) which causes an smokey odor in the vehicle. Reimbursement is eligible if you have it repaired but I'm not eligible for a recall or the funds because my car was originally delivered July 2008. I bought it with only 24,000 original miles on it in June 2017. I have never been notified by Buick about this situation. All this time we thought that the previous owner was a smoker. Something has obviously burned or is burning in the car. Due to the superior condition of this vehicle and the service records showing we have well maintained it, we are requesting assistance to get this repair completed at no charge by the Buick corporation. When contacting the Buick corporation on Monday, Jan 21, 2019, they said that because of the original delivery age and it's about 6 months past eligibility, that they won't assist. I find it ironic that I was not notified of this situation before January 2019 and have been the car's second owner since June 2017. Buick has known about this problem but has done nothing about it.

- Maumee, OH, USA