2008 Buick Lucerne fuel/propulsion system problems

“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.”

“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....”

“Bought my car Sept. 2022.Within the first couple of months I started having intermittent problems that seemed fuel related.After some research I found out my car had a TSB that has been out since 2016. With this knowledge I took the back seat out of my car and the problems all stopped.June of 2023 started having some problems that were sort of similar to what I was experiencing before with some power loss, had vehicle taken to mechanic who diagnosed an interlock system problem.I thought maybe that would fix all my problems and put my back seat back. I travel 4 hours once a month to go see my son and only took my car once on that trip because of not being able to have a back seat.Me thinking the interlock fix was the solve all to my problems I put the back seat in and started my drive to go see my son. 3 hours in stop for gas, try to start my car, cranks won’t start, not getting fuel. Called mechanic who just worked on my car, suggested to check my fuel pump fuse and fuel relay, find my fuel relay is melted. Replace fuel relay and pulled the back seat out, car fires right up no problems. Continue hour drive to see my son, picked up my son so had to put the back…”

“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 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 keeps getting hot and burning, causing the car to not start or loosing power while driving. Lost power going up a hill and around curve with no place to pull over. Could have been hit when car died in blind spot in road. Looked it up and other people on line are saying it is the seat clips hitting fuse box causing short circuit in fuse box and damaging fuse box. People said they thought it was fuel pump but still had same problem after replacing fuel pump. A lot of upset people on line saying there should have already been recall on this problem. Have had 2 mechanics look at it. Have bought 3 relays. Afraid to drive car if it will start, fear of loosing power in middle of road and getting killed. Not to mention could cause fire since fuse box and battery are under back seat.. Genius engineer, I'll tell you! Don't know if I can ever completely trust this buick again. Never had anything like this happen to any car I've ever owned.Something needs to be done. Recall Recall Recall !!!!!!!!!!!!!!”