Buick Excelle Faces Collective Complaints From Owners Over Stuttering Steering Wheel Noises, Impact of Plastic Friction

Specialized VisionOn October 11, it was observed that data from the automotive third-party complaint platform, Car Quality Network, indicated that Buick Excelle is embroiled in a wave of collective complaints triggered by steering wheel issues.

Within 30 days, 133 car owners have filed complaints about this model, with core issues focused on the steering wheel not automatically returning to center, sticking, and abnormal noises. These problems not only affect the driving experience but also pose a serious threat to driving safety. So, do these problems stem from the quality of plastic parts or manufacturing processes?

Source of the image: Car Quality Network

The Buick Excelle steering wheel issue is not an isolated case.

Based on the complaints from car owners, the issue with the steering wheel is not an isolated case but involves models from multiple years.Models from 2015 to 2021 are involved. An owner of a 2018 Buick Excelle GT 15T DCT Elite described that there has been a persistent "clunk" noise when turning the steering wheel, with the steering wheel sticking, feeling heavy, failing to self-center after turns, and the vehicle being prone to veering off course. Another owner of a 2021 model stated that, despite having purchased the vehicle just over three years ago and having driven only 11,650 kilometers, the steering gear has developed a severe noise issue, but the official service refused to provide warranty service citing that the warranty had expired.

These issues not only trouble the car owners but also raise doubts about the quality of the Buick Excelle. As the core component of driving, the steering wheel's performance is directly related to the driver's control experience and driving safety. Therefore, any abnormalities with the steering wheel should be considered a serious problem that needs to be addressed promptly and effectively.

When exploring the root causes of steering wheel issues, the quality of plastic components and the manufacturing process are undoubtedly important factors to consider. Steering wheels are typically composed of various materials, with plastic parts accounting for a significant proportion.PU (polyurethane), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer) and other engineering plastics are widely used in the manufacturing of steering wheels due to their excellent properties.

Image source: Baidu Youjia

However, the abnormal noise caused by friction between plastic parts is indeed a common cause of steering wheel issues. Especially in colder temperatures, the plastic parts harden, making the friction noise more noticeable. However, this does not mean that all steering wheel problems originate from plastic parts. Based on complaints from car owners, the issue seems to be more complex, involving several components such as the steering gear, tie rod end, stabilizer bar bushing, and shock absorber top mount bearing.

Manufacturing Process: The Necessity of Optimization and Improvement

In addition to material selection, optimizing the manufacturing process is equally crucial. The production of steering wheels requires a comprehensive consideration of ergonomic design, integration of electronic components, surface treatment, and durability testing, among other factors. Any oversight in any of these aspects could lead to a decline in steering wheel performance and even pose safety issues.

For example, the grip design of the steering wheel needs to comply with ergonomic principles to provide a comfortable grip. If the design is unreasonable, it may lead to hand fatigue for the driver after long periods of driving, thereby affecting control precision. In addition, the embedding of electronic components also requires careful layout and circuit design to ensure that the buttons, touch screens, and other functions on the steering wheel operate normally.

In terms of durability testing, the steering wheel needs to undergo strict testing procedures to ensure its stability and performance over prolonged use. Inadequate testing or low standards may lead to various issues with the steering wheel during use.

To address the issue of the Buick Excelle's steering wheel, the solution should focus on material selection and manufacturing processes. In terms of material selection, manufacturers could consider using higher-quality engineering plastics or leather materials to enhance the wear resistance, durability, and aesthetic texture of the steering wheel. Meanwhile, they can also explore the application of new materials, such as carbon fiber composites, to further enhance the performance of the steering wheel.

Source of image: Encyclopedia of Plastics

In terms of manufacturing processes, manufacturers need to comprehensively optimize and improve existing processes. For example, strengthen the research and application of ergonomic design to enhance the grip comfort of the steering wheel; optimize the embedding process of electronic components to ensure normal functionality and reduce the risk of damage; and strengthen the standards and procedures for durability testing to ensure that the steering wheel can maintain stability and performance over prolonged use.

As an automobile manufacturer, Buick has the responsibility and obligation to ensure the quality and safety of its products. In the face of collective complaints from car owners, Buick should promptly make a public response and take effective measures to resolve the issue.

At the same time, this also serves as a reminder to the entire automotive industry that while pursuing technological innovation and performance enhancement, they must not overlook the control of quality and manufacturing processes of fundamental components. Only by ensuring that each component meets high standards and strict requirements can truly safe and reliable automotive products be provided to consumers.