2013 LaCrosse eAssist fuel gauge inaccurate

[oldmanbob]

I have a new 2013 LaCrosse eAssist. Leather group, new 08/7/13. The gas gauge goes to a speck under 7/8 full. I even mentioned it to the salesman as we sat in my vehicle at delivery and he swore he topped it off. I drove another 26 miles and topped it off myself , being extra cautious to fill in every drop I could get without it overflowing and the gauge still says just under 7/8 full. I called the service tech at the dealer and he said he was aware as others had the same issue but only on eAssist models. He said no work could be done until enough people complain to GM and they issue a recall or TSB. He said after 7/8 the gauge would be accuarate, but I have not found that to be true, it seems to be off all the way to "E".

I have topped off my tank 7 different times and now have 1500 + miles on it and still same issue. Also, the miles remaining until empty gives false info. A few days ago, it said 121 miles until empty and I drove it 117 miles home and still had 59 miles to empty. The next morning it said 59 miles to empty and I drove 21 miles on my way to work and it now said 61 miles to empty. One mile later, the message changed to “low fuel”. I stopped and fueled up, nursing every drop I could into the tank and it only took 12.231 gal. and still only showed less than 7/8 of a tank. Thus I received a “low Fuel” message with at least 3.6 gals remaining it its specs of 15.8 gal tank is correct. I am disappointed that I have a fuel gauge I cannot count on. I have read other owners in different forums who reference the same issues, again, only with the eAssist model. Does anyone have a suggestion to remedy this? Thanks in advance! I work too long hours to go to dealer and take the time to play games, so I am waiting for a firm solution so I can get it fixed correctly, the first time.

 

[scandalous]

I have a new 2013 LaCrosse eAssist. Leather group, new 08/7/13. The gas gauge goes to a speck under 7/8 full. I even mentioned it to the salesman as we sat in my vehicle at delivery and he swore he topped it off. I drove another 26 miles and topped it off myself , being extra cautious to fill in every drop I could get without it overflowing and the gauge still says just under 7/8 full. I called the service tech at the dealer and he said he was aware as others had the same issue but only on eAssist models. He said no work could be done until enough people complain to GM and they issue a recall or TSB. He said after 7/8 the gauge would be accuarate, but I have not found that to be true, it seems to be off all the way to "E".

I have topped off my tank 7 different times and now have 1500 + miles on it and still same issue. Also, the miles remaining until empty gives false info. A few days ago, it said 121 miles until empty and I drove it 117 miles home and still had 59 miles to empty. The next morning it said 59 miles to empty and I drove 21 miles on my way to work and it now said 61 miles to empty. One mile later, the message changed to “low fuel”. I stopped and fueled up, nursing every drop I could into the tank and it only took 12.231 gal. and still only showed less than 7/8 of a tank. Thus I received a “low Fuel” message with at least 3.6 gals remaining it its specs of 15.8 gal tank is correct. I am disappointed that I have a fuel gauge I cannot count on. I have read other owners in different forums who reference the same issues, again, only with the eAssist model. Does anyone have a suggestion to remedy this? Thanks in advance! I work too long hours to go to dealer and take the time to play games, so I am waiting for a firm solution so I can get it fixed correctly, the first time.

I have a 2012 eAssist and do not have any of the problems you mention. If I fill up as soon as the Low Fuel indicator comes out it will take about 13-13.2 gallons to fill. I usually drive a little longer after the light so I fill with over 14 gallons.

As for the mileage to empty indicator it will actually vary based on your driving just like your mpg. If it states 121 miles remain and your heavy on the gas it will cut in half. Take the car on a 40 mile highway drive at 60 mph and the miles to empty might increase to 180 or more.

 

[h2os]

I have same problem with my 2013 LaCrosse, fuel tank guage read 7/8 when full. Service Dept. at dealer says it is defect and GM is working on it. The service mgr. says the tank size is lower than in manual. In my opinion, then the software isn't working correctly. He says the tank is 15.9 gal with a 3 gal. reserve. I will post again when I get the call for the fix. They are doing fine job in keeping me posted.

bw
N Syracuse NY

 

[HMTJ6821]

I remember one time, when working for General Motors, that the factory changed the size of the fuel tank so that the car weight would come under some government vehicle size designation. Of course, the fuel sender hit the top of the new tank when it was indicating 7/8ths of a full tank. The fuel gauge would display 7/8ths for a long time before beginning to drop.

I never understood how the factory had the authority to change the size of the fuel tank without asking the design engineers.

 

[skyliner]

I have a 2013 LaCrosse Premium with the 3.6L V-6. It supposedly has an 18.6 gal tank. My gauge will go the the Full mark but falls off very quickly, usually within a few miles. My problem is on the other end. I have run my car until the gauge was on, or below, Empty 3 times in the past few weeks. It only took 13.3, 13.5 and in the case where the gauge was below E, 14.0 gals to flll the tank. Doing the math, when the gauge is on E, I still have 5+ gals in the tank! That's ridiculous! The dealer says that's the reserve. What value is a gauge that is off that much. They may as well make the speedometer read 70 when I'm driving 50. I may be paranoid, but I find it insulting that Buick thinks their car owners are too dumb to know when to stop for gas. The range value is also of little value because it is based on the computed MPG since the last time it was reset, not on the current tank. I did track all the numbers for the last seven tankfuls resetting trip ODO and MPG then calculating the data at fillup. Based on the miles to empty reading, I would still have 2-2.5 gals left when it says I'm empty. The calculated MPG matched up well with the actual MPG. Based on my observations, I was convinced that the assemby plant had installed the 15.8 gal tank in my car by mistake. If that were true, the gas gauge and the RANGE would be close to accurate. After reading these posts, apparently, all LaCrosses have the same problem. On the plus side, I recently took an 1800 mile road trip averaging just under 30 MPG. On two stretches of almost exclusive expressway driving, I got 31-32. A pleasant surprise since EPA rates the car at 27 highway.

 

[h2os]

GM is working on a fix as the fuel guage software is designed for large tank and you have a smaller one. I am on a call list once it is fixed. Dealer will call me. Apparently GM working on it for a month now, stay tuned.

bw

 

[oldmanbob]

Thanks to all for your replies and your time to review the concern. I was also hoping the customer rep from Buick GM would have responded. I take some encouragement hearing that GM is working on a fix; but I am surprised on the timeframe as this issue was identifed by others almost one full year ago. Hopefully they will apply similar resources to serving those that have already bought as they do when trying to attract new buyers. If anyone hears of a fix along the way or are notifed the fix is completedm please alert me and others here.. I doubt GM will proactively notify individuals of the fix.

Fuel guage accuracy or not, the car sure floats down the highway. Gotta give credit where credit is due!

Thanks again to all, Oldmanbon

 

[BIG ROCCO]

2012 e-Assist, and no problems with my fuel gauge to report

 

[gordonpaull]

I to have this same problem with 2013 lacrosse eesist purchased 7/29/13. I brought the problem to the attention of the service manager two days later.Since, the car has been in the shop two times to be checked out,no fix.They keep telling me GM is working on the problem. I'm starting to think like i'm just getting the run around hoping i'll forget about it. This has been going on for five months and i'm getting tired of it. If someone at Gm could contack me at poppocordy@yahoo.com otherwise after five months I'm thinking about talking to a lawyer. Fed-up in Texas.

 

[Buick Customer Service]

If anyone is currently experiencing this issue, we would be happy to assist in a resolution. You may send us a private message at any time with your name, address, phone number, VIN, mileage, and name of involved dealership. With this information we are able to move forward in researching the concerns. gordonpaull, if you prefer to communicate through e-mail, you may provide the information I have requested to socialmedia@gm.com ATTN: Jessica G. Thank you!

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

 

[kevinst38]

I also have a 2013 Lacrosse with e-assist built in 02/13 and purchased new in May 2013 and have the fuel gauge never going to full ( goes to about 7/8 full). I talked to the local dealer and got nowhere. I also have noticed the gauge appears incorrect during the full range like stated in the original post.

Does anyone have any additional info on this or know how I can get on the call list. I am a little disappointed that this problem hasn't been properly announced as a Service Bulletin by now...

 

[Buick Customer Service]

I also have a 2013 Lacrosse with e-assist built in 02/13 and purchased new in May 2013 and have the fuel gauge never going to full ( goes to about 7/8 full). I talked to the local dealer and got nowhere. I also have noticed the gauge appears incorrect during the full range like stated in the original post.

Does anyone have any additional info on this or know how I can get on the call list. I am a little disappointed that this problem hasn't been properly announced as a Service Bulletin by now...

Hi kevinst38,

I am sorry to hear of this concern with your vehicle! Each situation is treated on a case by case basis, and I would be happy to have your dealership's customer care specialist reach out to you regarding an action plan. Please provide your name, address, phone number, VIN, mileage, and name of preferred dealership through a private message so we may assist. I can also look up any open recalls on your vehicle for you. Thank you!

Jessica
Buick Customer Care

 

[h2os]

After 3 contacts to dealer, never a response, fuel gauge issue not being addressed by my dealer. They won't even return a phone call now. Sad, traded in my Camry and now this! Been waiting since September for a fix or even a phone call.

 

[G-573408]

I also have a 2013 Lacrosse with e-assist built in 02/13 and purchased new in May 2013 and have the fuel gauge never going to full ( goes to about 7/8 full). I talked to the local dealer and got nowhere. I also have noticed the gauge appears incorrect during the full range like stated in the original post.

Does anyone have any additional info on this or know how I can get on the call list. I am a little disappointed that this problem hasn't been properly announced as a Service Bulletin by now...

I am also having this problem now if anybody can help please do

 

[d-train]

Have the same problem, don’t think they ever created a fix for it.

 

[Human]

My 2013 eAssist doesn't seem to have this issue. When the tank is full, the gauge shows full. I don't think my fuel tank is anywhere near 18+ gallons. When I top it off with the needle on the big E, it never takes more than about 13 gallons.

 

[richardnewton]

Our 2013 eAssist gauge is a bit slow to register F after filling up.

The calibration seems a bit off, as the first-half of the tank lasts longer than the bottom-half does.

Still like the car a lot.