Buick Enclave Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Recent Safety Incidents — Last 5 Model Years
Own a Buick Enclave? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Buick Enclave — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026Best | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2025 | Excellent | — | 16 | 1 | 1 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2024 | Excellent | — | 10 | 2 | 2 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2023 | Excellent | — | 7 | — | — | — | Exterior Lighting | Full report → |
| 2022 | Excellent | — | 6 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2021 | Excellent | 1 | 17 | — | — | — | Service Brakes | Full report → |
| 2020 | Excellent | 3 | 29 | 2 | — | — | Unknown Or Other | Full report → |
| 2019 | Excellent | — | 37 | 1 | 3 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2018 | Excellent | — | 40 | 3 | — | — | Service Brakes | Full report → |
| 2017 | Good | 1 | 112 | 2 | 4 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2016 | Good | 1 | 83 | 3 | 7 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2015 | Good | 1 | 111 | 10 | 9 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2014 | Caution | 4 | 187 | 8 | 11 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2013 | Good | 3 | 49 | 1 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2012 | Good | 5 | 84 | 9 | 14 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2011 | Caution | 5 | 151 | 5 | 9 | — | Steering | Full report → |
| 2010 | Caution | 4 | 166 | 3 | 3 | — | Steering | Full report → |
| 2009 | Caution | 4 | 146 | 3 | 15 | — | Steering | Full report → |
| 2008Worst | Avoid | 3 | 389 | 16 | 31 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
19 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Buick Enclave Problems
Based on 1,640 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Recent Safety Recalls — Buick Enclave (2022–2026)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212352140.
General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette Convertible E-Ray, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, Silverado EV, Suburban 1500, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Hummer EV Pickup, Hummer EV SUV, Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, Sierra EV, Terrain, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The radio may not have been set to the correct status to download the electronic owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, “Occupant Protection.”
Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 26, 2026.
Showing 2 recalls from 2022–2026 model years. See the full year-specific pages for older recalls.
Recent Owner Complaints
Direct reports filed with NHTSA by Buick Enclave owners — 2022–2026 model years.
The car frequently just slams on the brakes on its own when reversing. Doesn’t matter the speed, and nothing is behind me at all. It also triggers a check engine light with transmission errors if you get a car wash and it is even mildly cold. Transmission errors when it gets too cold or snow in the grill.
After sitting in a parking lot for 6 days the radio receiver assembly (infotainment control module / head unit) in my 2024 Buick Enclave completely failed with a "no power" condition. The screen is blank, there is no audio output, no response to any controls, and the system does not power on even after multiple power cycles or battery disconnects. The dealer diagnosed the need for a full replacement of the radio receiver assembly. The part is currently on national backorder with an unknown delivery date, so the failed component remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. The failure disables multiple critical safety-related features, including: The rear backup camera (no image when shifting into Reverse) Audible turn-signal chimes and warning alerts Navigation system (including real-time traffic and hazard information) This creates a significant safety risk during low-speed maneuvers (such as parking or reversing) and reduces overall situational awareness while driving. The issue occurred on a nearly new leased vehicle (leased November 13, 2023) with only 54,781 miles. Yes. My authorized Buick dealer fully diagnosed the issue and confirmed the complete loss of power to the radio receiver assembly. They attempted basic troubleshooting (power cycles, etc.) with no success and determined that a full replacement of the radio receiver assembly is required. The dealer also noted the part is on indefinite backorder. The vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by my authorized Buick dealership's service department. General Motors Customer Assistance has been notified and is aware of the issue.No inspection has been performed by police or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms. The failure occurred suddenly and without warning after the vehicle sat unused for only 6 days in a parking lot. One day the infotainment system worked normally; the next time zero power to it.
I had my new 2025 Enclave in the shop 8 times. Buick says, once??? GPS has gotten us lost 12 times. GPS had us exit [XXX], 3 times , do u-turns, only to get back on [XXX]. In Arcadia, FL. GPS had us do 3 left turns to get back where we were. Ace Hardware near me on [XXX] . I am on [XXX] . I can see Ace Hardware also on the street I am on. GPS wanted me to make SEVEN turns to get to where I could see. Going to Beall's on [XXX] . I am on [XXX] . I can see Beall's ahead on the left. GPS wanted me to pass Beall's, take a left on [XXX] . Go through the next subdivision and return to where I was9 now in Beall's parking lot). Two photos attached are me going to Ace and I can see it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This happens every single day, not just today, but are two separate issues related to my brakes. 1- squealing brakes. Every single day and for several miles before they warm up. The first time I brought this issue to the attention of the dealership, they replaced the brakes, and there was no squealing for just a few days. I forced the dealership within a week to let them know, I had to bring it back in, and they said they were fine and would just squeal. To this day, I have no idea if this is safe or not, but haven’t been able to receive a message that they squeal for any specified reason, which does not ease safety concerns. 2- my app told me that I had only 18% brake pad life remaining when I was around 11k miles. I took it in and they said they just reset the sensor without fixing the brakes because they didn’t know why it was doing that - its now clear to me that this isn’t an accurate reflection of true brake life measurements and is most likely just based off of miles driven instead of a true measurement, as advertised. I love this car, but am super disappointed that my brakes are so consistently loud - it’s both embarrassing and worrisome. And to make the dealership aware and just have them reset a sensor for this completely separate concern is honestly obnoxious.
Onstar keeps running and failed. Nothing works on car without it. Its dead after shutting it off. And no safety features work.
Brakes are extremely noisy at low speeds. Dealer advice that this is normal When driving at low speeds brakes squeak extremely loud This is clearly a defect that GM needs to address They keep using the excuse that is the the high quality pads that they are using
Catastrophic engine failure. We were left stranded in [XXX] while on a trip. No warning lamps. Vehicle was towed and inspected by the Buick dealership service department. Took 3 months to get our vehicle back which had to be transported back to the state in which we live. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My wife's 2025 Buick Enclave with less than 10,000 miles (around 9,800) stranded us on the highway. Transmission was shuddering and felt like we were hitting rumble straps on acceleration. Then, we couldn't go over 18 mph, then it just stopped. Couldn't even pull off to the side of the road because the electronics wouldn't let the vehicle go into neutral to allow us to push it onto the shoulder. Eventually we got it off the Interstate to a residential area. When tow truck arrived, they couldn't get it into neutral and had to drag it onto the wrecker with generous amounts of WD-40. That can't be good for the vehicle. The vehicle is at Randy Wise Buick in Fenton, Michigan. We were lucky not to have been hit on the Interstate. Biggest worry is not the transmission problem but that we couldn't even push it off the roadway.
While slowing down with foot of accelerator, to stop at an intersection, the rear wheel’s momentarily locked up.
See attached document for complaint.
Car was purchased on 1/2/25 and first issue with vehicle was on 1/30/25 for check engine light. Feb 20,2025-Check engine light, car shakes, radio and dash go in and out, passenger rear window screeches. issues fixed except vibration. May 26, 2025 check engine light. rear window still making noise-fixed . Trunk gets stuck-no fix. Unaligned lane assist, car continues to shake. Sept, 26 2025-Brakes continue to make noise and now pulsate. Dealer found that pads and rotors were warped and had discoloration, and were replaced under warranty at 11,845 miles. CAR WAS IN SERVICE FROM SEPT 26-OCT 23, 2025. BRAKE NOISE STARTED 2 DAYS LATER-TEXTED ADVISOR Dec 4-Car continues to shake and brakes continue to make squealing noise. Have email from GM TAC stating "SOME noise from the brakes is a normal characteristic, especially if the brakes are cold or wet. this is a condition we have no control over as it has to deal with the environment and weather. I LIVE IN FLORIDA! CAR WAS IN SERIVCE DEC 4-DEC 26, 2025. NO RESOLUTION AGAIN Feb 6-Car leaking and overheating, passenger rear window not going down, exterior antenna cover came off, still shaking and brakes still squeaking. I WAS TOLD BRAKES ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NOTHING THE CAN DO AFTER 7,500 MILES YET THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT 11k MILES AND I'VE VOICE CONCERN FOR MONTHS AND NOTHING WAS DONE BEFORE. AND OTHERS WERE REPLACED EVEN OVER 7,50MILES I am concerned over the safety of myself and my family with these continues brake issues.
Digital dash display is completely black. There is no display of speed, lane departure, back-up camera or parking assist/surround view camera. Neither vehicle restart nor software reset corrects the issues.
65 total complaints retrieved from NHTSA for 2022–2026. For older model years, see individual year pages.
Enclave Years to Avoid
Best Enclave Years to Buy
Buick Enclave Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Buick Enclave Reliability
What year Enclave has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2008 Buick Enclave had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 389 complaints and 3 safety recalls. See the full 2008 report for specific defects.
Is the Buick Enclave reliable?
The Buick Enclave has accumulated 1,640 owner-filed complaints and 35 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2026 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Enclave.
What are the most common Enclave problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Air Bags (400 reports), Steering (209 reports), Power Train (179 reports), Engine (173 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Enclave has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Buick Enclave VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
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