5GAERBKW4KJ1560022019 BUICK EnclaveEssence
2019 BUICK Enclave was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 41 owner complaints include 2 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
Executive Summary
2019 BUICK Enclave
2019 BUICK Enclave was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 41 owner complaints include 2 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 1 open recall — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- 2 injuries reported across 41 owner complaints
- Common owner-reported issues: check engine light, stalling, electrical problems
- Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
- Engine/Powertrain is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
- Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
41 owner complaints filed — top areas: Engine/Powertrain (51%), Electrical (17%), Other (15%). Common issues: check engine light, stalling, electrical problems. 2 crashes reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- BUICK
- Model
- Enclave
- Year
- 2019
- Trim / Series
- Essence
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Drive Type
- FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.6L
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- GENERAL MOTORS LLC
- Assembly
- LANSING - DELTA TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
- Base MSRP
- $42,000
Assembly Plant Quality
GM Lansing Delta Township Assembly
Produces Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia. Average recall rates.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
- ▸1 complaint(s) involved a fire
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
1 RECALLNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 1 recall below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 1 recall is ~69%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
BUICK completes recalls at a fair rate (87%). If this vehicle has open recalls, follow up with a dealer — average remedy time is ~20 months.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~20 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SummaryGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
Complaint Intelligence
41 complaints analyzed across 7 system categories
⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse
39% of complaints filed in Jan & Jul — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME41 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
Formal Complaint – 2019 Buick Enclave Rear A/C Evaporator Failure I am filing a safety complaint regarding repeated refrigerant leaks and rear A/C evaporator failure on my 2019 Buick Enclave. My vehicle has 72,000 miles and has experienced two A/C system failures within 60 days. The first Freon leak was repaired under a GM special warranty. Only two months later, the system failed again, and the dealership diagnosed a rear evaporator core leak requiring a $3,000 repair. This is not normal wear. GM has documented this defect in bulletins PIT5335, PIT5335A, and 16‑NA‑046, which describe rear evaporator corrosion caused by blower‑motor copper brush dust contaminating the evaporator. My vehicle is experiencing the same failure pattern. This defect presents safety concerns including: • Loss of cooling in high‑heat conditions, affecting driver alertness • Moisture or fogging that can impair windshield visibility • Air‑quality risks from refrigerant leaks and potential mold • System failure during highway travel, impacting driver comfort and concentration The rapid recurrence of the failure after a GM‑covered repair indicates a systemic defect, not a maintenance issue. GM refuses to cover the second repair despite acknowledging the defect in its own bulletins. I have owned four new GM vehicles since 1998, including two I kept for ten years each, with no A/C failures. This repeated defect is financially burdensome and potentially hazardous. I request NHTSA investigate rear A/C evaporator failures in Buick Enclave models, determine whether a safety recall is warranted, and review whether GM’s special warranty coverage should be expanded to address repeat failures.
2019 Buick Enclave (GM) w/ 29481 miles, consistently serviced and in excellent working order. In city traffic about 45-50MPH, no warning lights until total electrical/power failure - no power, no steering, no electrical/lights. Car is owned by [XXX] mother-in-law ([XXX]). Her daughter ([XXX]) was driving. Had [XXX] been driving, there would have been a wreck. [XXX] was able to coast into a corner gas station/garage. Buy next day mechanic was able to isolate failure to alternator. Since we performed the repair at the closest mechanic, I do not know what GM knows. I see on internet a high volume of alternator failures in Enclaves. It doesn't seem an alternator failure should be so abrupt, without warning and with such dire immediate impact. GM has said they 'may' have been able to help with the cost of the repair if we had had it done at an authorized service center. Frankly, this feels like a trap (and Nissan did exactly this to me 2 years ago - asking me to tow into their service center and then saying 'oops, sorry, no warranty ... ). GM should buy their failed alternator back and study why it failed and why that failure had this impact to the vehicle. The repair was made with a GM part - honestly, not sure if that's good or bad, but there is no excuse for GM to not own their part failure. No one other than the mechanic has inspected the car. He would probably be glad to speak to NHTSA. No prior warning lights, messages, symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at 30 to 40 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was hard to shift. The TPMS was illuminated. The contact indicated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (Power Train). The local dealer was contacted, who informed about the diagnostic fees. The contact called another local dealer, Starling Buick GMC Stuart Parts, and Starling Buick GMC Stuart Service, at 2445 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL 34994, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center, which confirmed the failure was due to the torque converter. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there was no recall or warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving in traffic at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The horn and wipers turned on unexpectedly. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was inoperable and the vehicle jerked. The doors failed to unlock, and the air conditioner was inoperable on a hot day, and the contact had symptoms of hyperventilation. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll up or down. Eventually, the vehicle failed to turn off, and the owner disconnected the battery. A towing company was called to tow the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
The car hesitates when accelerating. It feels like its going to die. Also, the car has shut off randomly with the display saying "not in right conditions to start". The dying has happened a few times.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The issue appears to be related to the auto start-stop system and/or an EVAP-related component, as the vehicle will sometimes completely shut off instead of restarting when stopped. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the engine shuts off, the vehicle loses all power, including steering and brake assist. This has happened at red lights, stop signs, and in school zone traffic. I have to restart the vehicle while stopped in active traffic lanes, which puts me and others at high risk of being hit. I am a single mom with 3 young children. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. A Buick dealership inspected the vehicle earlier this year. They observed the stalling issue but could not identify a single cause. They suggested possible repair attempts, but the issue has continued. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? It has only been inspected by a Buick dealership service department. No other agencies have inspected it. Were there any warning lights, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure? When did they first appear? No warning lights or messages appeared when it first happened. The problem began before I replaced the battery, and replacing the battery did not resolve the issue. Additional Description: When I come to a stop—at red lights, stop signs, or in traffic—the vehicle’s auto start-stop system activates like normal, but instead of restarting, the engine will completely shut off. I then lose power steering and braking support and must restart the car in the middle of the roadway. It is unpredictable and unsafe. Sometimes it’s instantly but today I sat there for 15 minutes waiting. I took it straight to autozone and everything tested good.
I purchased my vehicle in 2020. In 2022 I experienced an issue where my car stopped in the middle of the road without warning. Despite several attempts to try and move the vehicle off of the road the police were notified and my vehicle was towed. The vehicle gave an error code that conditions not met for driving. One office tried to put the vehicle in neutral but the wheels locked and the shifter was locked as well. The battery has been replaced 3 different times since I have owned the vehicle. A mechanic friend of mine (who is a trainer for GMC) hooked his computer up to it and found no issues. He did find a loose wire which he the reconnected. I was able to drive my car for 6 months before the same thing happened, same situation the vehicle just stopped in the middle of the road only this time I couldn't turn the vehicle off, we had to manually disconnect the battery and again the police came out due to traffic hold up. My car was towed twice afterwards as I could get the car running for a few minutes before another error. To date my car has been sitting in my driveway since March of this year, this time it won't hold a charge and will not even start. Im not sure if this is an engine or an electrical issue. I did call 2 Buick dealerships that told me that it would take about 5 hours to diagnose the issue where I would be charged per hour at the mechanic hourly rate. At this point I think my vehicle needs to be recalled, even if I could get it repaired I dont feel safe driving it. Thankfully it stopped on a minor freeway and no major incidents occurred.
This is the third time in less the last couple of months that the air conditioning system on this 2019 Buick Enclave has failed. The vehicle consistently blows only hot air, regardless of whether it is in motion or stationary. The problem does not fluctuate with changes in speed or drive duration. In addition, there is a consistent noise coming from the dashboard area that resembles a hydraulic hinge or actuator.
Anc module is faulty after HVAC condensation entered the unit causing it to not work making all speakers nonfunctioning
The 2019 Buick Enclave was taken in for transmission fluid flush & check. The dealer came back and stated that the torque converter needed replacement. The car was still under mileage warranty but just past the roll-off-line date by a month. There are numerous issues all over the internet related to The Enclave torque converter issues. Even a service bulleting PIP5608J that covers these exact issues. It is a wide spread safety issue. If the transmission fails, what is the outcome at high speeds? It has just over 69,000 miles. Todays transmissions should last 150,000 miles minimum. Unacceptable!
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while at a stop light the Auto START/STOP feature malfunctioned. The contact stated that after releasing the brake pedal, the vehicle turned off instead of restarting the engine. The contact stated that several minutes had passed before being able to restart the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 60,000.
This vehicles exhaust system has two brackets that broke off the exhaust due to bad welds. There is TSB out for one of the brackets where they replace one cheaper pipe but no mention of the other. This TSB is for multiple years same issue, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Yet I was told mine is not included by dealer over the phone. There are literally thousands of complaints stretched across multiple sites with the brackets breaking off and exhaust leaking into the car after. This issue is right at the back of engine. It’s leaking exhaust right into the cabin from the venting system to the point we get sick now. It’s $800 I was told to fix the 2 pipes that are faulty. Just bought this 2 years ago and have owned many GM vehicles in last 35 years not one has ever had any issue with the exhaust system. And the one pipe that broke and cost $420 for just the part is also on back order cause they have replaced way more then normal and it’s also the part that’s not under any TSB yet.
Start/stop function malfunctioned in the middle of the road, this has happened multiple times before and after replacing starter and battery, looked at by several mechanics. If I stop the car at a light or in traffic my car will dint turn back on or let me shift. Thus a safety issue because I could have been hit as it stopped in a busy road and people had to move around my vehicle. Engine light came on after failure and ceased the engine and i couldn’t move to the intersection. I also just got an oil change. They first appeared a few months ago and I had already gotten work done on it and it keeps happening
On Sept 6th the check engine light came on. A diagnostic test showed it was code P0442 related to the canister purge valve /solenoid. It also showed that it was a permanent thing that had been on there a while but when I look up my Vin number there is no recalls for it, but there is for other 2019 Buick enclaves.
One day, I looked over at my seat and there were literally two tears in the leather. I immediately looked to see if something had ripped them. The only thing I put over there is a small cloth lunch sack so there’s no way that that could’ve done it. there was NOTHING SHARP on the seat. I am also very good about keeping my leather maintained and car maintained . It needs to be repaired before it gets worse.
I found where there was a recall on 2019 Buick and mine was not listed. It is doing what I have read about the recall. The transmission is shuttering at low speeds.
The cooling fan motor assembly is shorting out internally & blowing the 70 amp fuse dedicated to that circuit. Mustreplace fan assembly and fuse to correct this concern
We were on a trip home from the Holidays about 400 miles away when we heard a huge explosion! The front sunroof exploded and rained glass all over us. It was a clear night with no other cars around. We had to pull over and find something to cover over the sunroof because it was so loud and shooting bits of glass all over us and our dog. We made it home. We are still waiting on insurance to fix it. This really scared us.
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, a loud grinding noise would emit from the rear end of the vehicle. To correct the failure, the contact operated the vehicle in front-wheel drive instead of all-wheel drive. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for service, but the contact was given a diagnostic fee and declined. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the cause of the failure was linked to the rear differential. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while attempting to buckle the seat belt however, the seat belt failed to lock securely in the buckle. The contact inspected the buckle and became aware that an internal part of the buckle had detached, preventing the seat belt from being latched securely. The contact called the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
There are a couple of issues causing our concerns about the car. 1. Alternator - The alternator was reported went bad after only 4 years of usage, the dealer refused to pay the fixing cost for this. Due to the failure of the alternator, the car lost all the power in the middle of the road with our entire family in the car during the night, very dangerous. The car suddenly stopped at the road with 50MPH speed limit. 2. Engine and Catalytic converter pipe - The engine light is on due to abnormal feeling of the engine power, the dealer could not fix the issue in weeks and no rental car provided and we were asked to drive the car home and waiting for order status of the parts. 3. Exhaust system failure - The dealer mentioned the welding of the connection is bad ( still under warranty ) but refused to fix it but ask the customer to pay for the replacement and labor.
Traveled and car begin to shake when I got to destination. The shift gears lights started going from neutral to Low gear and my speed began to drop down even when I was accelerating. The engine light came on and the stabilitrak light was on during times I stop at lights or stop lights only when in traffic but not on the highway. After seen by an auto service dealer, the stabilitrak light still comes on during stops at the light or stop signs and hesitation to accelerate with a heaviness to steer. There appears to be a dragging or pull when accelerating not very smooth. The service was with the transmission, however, no attempt to fix the stabilitrak and now I am to take it back in, not really enjoying my vehicle, my American vehicle, this really saddens me.
Stabilizer trak
The passenger side seat air bag exploded and burned my daughter’s back while she was getting into the car. The car was in park and auto started. My son was sitting in the back seat behind her while this happened. She has 1st and 2nd degree burns and thankfully my son is okay. The car has been sitting in my driveway since that day. I have contacted the dealership and GM as well as my personal insurance. GM is moving very slow and stated they would send someone to look at my vehicle within 7-10 days from yesterday . The investigation could take 30-60 days before we have an answer. We are currently on day 11 since this happened. Insurance doesn’t want to touch it until GM or the dealership looks at it and determines if it is a malfunction. The safety of my kids and family is definitely a priority and the fact that this happened is scary. The loudness of the explosion was like a gunshot inside the vehicle and the fire that came out of it is insane. Literally looked like a firework. With the airbag deployed I am sure the seatbelts are now compromised but either way I will not risk my life or anyone else’s and step foot in it. The car was looked at by local law enforcement and pictures were taken. The car is available for inspection but the dealership hasn’t called me back and GM is following their protocol and has no hurry. The airbag light had come on the week prior to this happening and had gone back off. I also had the tire pressure lights go on and back off twice in the past couple of months.
Evaporative emission canister purge, solenoid valve, yes. My safety was at risk due to stalling 3 different times on busy roads/intersections after refueling my vehicle. When the Solenoid valve and canister fail when coming to a stop after refueling it causes the car/engine to flutter and completely stall then goes into neutral. It takes multiple restarts in order to even make the car go along with pressing on the gas. This part has been replaced twice by the dealership once at the end of march and again on the 10th of June. The first incident occurred mid-march, the second end of march and the latest incident occurred 7 June where I had to restart it 7 times before it would even drive, at that time my check engine light was on and it was making a loud noise. After this last replacement the vehicle was refueled and it started to flutter and idled hard, it will be taken to the dealership once again on the 20th of June. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than dealership. There were no warning lights prior to the failure, the only indication was the car started to flutter prior to stalling. The most recent date is stated below.
On the morning of October 25, 2021 at approximately 7:05 am, I was fixing to leave to go to work. The carport light was on, so I open the door to my car, slid into the driver’s seat, started the car up and the lights came on. As I was starting to get out of the car to go turn the carport lights off, I realized the car was going backwards. I tried to get back into the driver’s seat to try to stop the car but I was unable to do so. The door knocked me down on the concrete floor of the carport and the front left tire ran over both my legs. The car continued to go backwards, the door hit the column between the carport bays but continued to travel backwards down our approx. 11-foot paved drive way, crossed the dirt road and stopped when the back of the car went into the deep ditch that runs along the dirt road at that point. When my husband arrived, the car was still running and the lights were on. The man driving the wrecker for the local EMA Director and my husband all looked at the gear shift and the car was in PARK.
Waited for train to pass and gate to raise at railroad crossing, then started to cross tracks. The car went halfway across the tracks, then the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking activated, stopping us on the tracks. Tried again to move forward, but the collision alert and auto braking immediately activated for a second time, bringing us to a stop again. Finally was able to very slowly make my way through the crossing. I was on the tracks for 30-60 seconds. No train was approaching and it was only my wife and me in the car, but if I'd had six passengers with me and another train had approached, I am not sure I would have been able to get everyone out of the car in time. Note that there were no obstacles in front of the vehicle, but the sun was at a low angle from the front of the car and the sunlight was dappled through the treetops on the other side of the crossing (there's a left-hand curve after the crossing), creating a "moving" glare through the windshield.
Rear door with the automatic open/close feature. While accessing the rear portion of the vehicle (looking in boxes, accessing under floor storage compartment,etc) I have experienced on several occasions where the door starts to close. I was able to turn around, push the door upwards and the door stopped closing and reversed to the open area. This happened to our Buick Enclave that we own in Canada. The dealer was able to find on Buick's database where this was documented and the suggested solution was to "turn this feature off using the "control knob located in the driver's door". My wife and I are 80 and this feature was one of the reasons that we purchased this model new in May 2020. So solution that Buick has offered is not the greatest. However, my wife is disabled and if the rear door had started to close on her, I do not think that she could have stopped the door from coming down. I will be notifying the Canadian highway vehicle association of this problem. But seems to me that Buick has a problem with the design of this system and is not addressing it. Are you aware of this problem with Buick Enclaves 2018 -2021 in the USA? [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving downhill, he shifted to a lower gear and was depressing on the brake pedal however, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact also stated that the RPM was very high. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued driving but had to stop 5 times to allow the vehicle to cool down. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer. The mechanic found no failure with the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Contact was on top of Pikes Peak in Colorado. The fast idle has the engine revved to high so that when foot was off the brake on a 5-8% slope the car accelerates to 6500RPM with in 250 feet taking the car to 30MPH in low gear. Consumer had to push on the brakes constantly, all the way down the mountain which caused the brakes to severely overheat. Park ranger measured the temperature of the brakes at 375 degrees F it was after consumer had stopped to allow them to cool 3 times in about 4 miles. The car will idle at 950RPM stopped and will lurch forward when foot was off the brake. Driving on the highway speeds its fine but not on switchback mountain roads.
MY HUSBAND HAD THE KEY IN HIS POCKET UPSTAIRS IN OUR HOUSE. IT ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATED AT SOME POINT BY HIS BENDING /SITTING. THE CAR REMOTELY STARTED AND WE DID NOT HEAR IT. ONLY BECAUSE OUR PETS BECAME UPSET DID WE DISCOVER THE RUNNING CAR IN OUR CLOSED GARAGE. WE WERE ABLE TO TURN IT OFF AND VENT THE GARAGE OF CO ACCUMULATION.
THE SEAL AROUND THE TIMING CHAIN WAS LEAKING RIGHT FROM THE FIRST DAY WE BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CAMSHAFT WAS ALSO PITTED AND REPLACED. IT WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON OUR 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. IT LEAKED A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE.
I HAVE HAD THIS NEW CAR JUST OVER FOR 1 YEAR, IM PRIOR SERVICE MILITARY AND WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THIS 2019 BUICK ENCLAVE FOR ME ON FATHER'S DAY LAST YEAR BECAUSE PUR OTHER CAR BROKE DOWN ON A FAMILY ROAD TRIP. SO I GARAGE MY VEHICLES I NOTICED A OIL LEAK ON THE GARAGE I DIDN'T WANT TO THINK IT WAS FROM THIS CAR SO I WATCHED IT SEEMED TO BE INTERMEDIATE AT TIMES BUT RECENTLY GOT WORSE SO I TOOK IT IN TOLD THEM AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD OIL FILTER BUT THE OIL FILTER IS OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CAR FROM WHERE THIS LEAK IS DRIPPING ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE. SO I JUST WENT UNDER THERE TO SEE WHAT I COULD FIND I TOO WAS A MECHANIC IN THE ARMY AND OUTSIDE AS A CIVILIAN AFTER SO I LOOKED TOOK ME 5 SECONDS TO LOCATE IT THAT IS THE PICTURE OF THE LEAK. THEN I NOTICED RUST CRACKS ON MY FRAME SO I LOOKED MORE AND DISCOVERED THE RUST CRACKS ARE ON THE BOTTOM AND TOPSIDE OF THE FRAME. SO I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SAW COMING UP IN DEC A RECALL IS GOING TO HAPPEN FOR CRACKED FRAMES ON THE BUICK ENCLAVE 2020 BUT STARTING FROM BUILD DATE'S 3 MONTHS AFTER MINE WAS BUILT BUT MINE SHOWS ALL THE SYSTEMS OF THAT RECALL BUT ISN'T INCLUDED. ALSO I HAD A ISSUE WITH THE STARTER STOP MY FAMILY AND I WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WITH A CAR INFRONT OF US WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED NORMALLY THEN WHEN IT TURNED BACK ON MY RPM KEPT GOING UP LIKE YOUR PUSHING THE EXCELLORATOR PEDDLE BUT I WASN'T BECAUSE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN I LOOK DOWN I EASED UP A BIT ON THE BRAKE AND IT SHOT FORWARD ON ME I DIDN'T HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME BECAUSE I DEPRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD IT. THATS WHEN I STARTED LOOKING AND SAW THIS RECALL SOON TO COME OUT.
BROKEN REAR SUNROOF CLIP TO HOLD SUNROOF SHUT CLOSE THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT PART AND SUNROOF STAYS OPEN!! PART WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND IM SURE MORE PEOPLE HAVE BROKEN THEIRS TOO ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE KIDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE KICK PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DESIGN MAY CAUSE INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER'S FEET. TWO UNKNOWN DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE CONTACT'S CONCERN. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PANEL WAS DESIGNED TO MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS. THE KICK PANEL WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
WHEN VEHICLE REENGAGING FROM AUTO START/STOP DURING STOPS IN TRAFFIC AND/OR LIGHTS/SIGNS, SLAMMING INTO GEAR AFTER REMOVING FOOT FROM BRAKE, PRIOR TO PUSHING GAS PEDAL. HAPPENS IN HIGHWAY TRAVEL (IF HAVING TO COME TO A STOP) AND CITY TRAVEL. DEALERSHIP REPLACED AUXILIARY FLUID ACCUMULATOR AND ADDED FLUID TO TRANSMISSION. OWNER NOW REALIZES FLUID SPOTS IN DRIVEWAY ARE WHERE VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN LEAKING SOME FLUID.
DRIVER SIDE 2ND ROW PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT IS NOT BOLTED TO THE FRAME. WHILE DRIVING THIS RENTAL CAR ON VACATION, THE PANELING FELL OFF REVEALING THAT THE SEAT BELT SPOOL WAS HANGING LOOSE AND NOT MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. BASED ON WHAT I CAN SEE FROM THE THREADS, IT APPEARS NEVER TO HAVE BEEN CONNECTED (AS OPPOSED TO BEING SNAPPED OFF). THIS IS A RENTAL, BUT I DON'T TRUST THE AGENCY TO REPORT THIS APPROPRIATELY SO DOING SO MYSELF. HOW THIS HAS GONE UNNOTICED FOR 12K MILES IS BEYOND ME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME DISTRACTED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CRASH OCCURRED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,712.
AFTER THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, IF A DOOR IS CLOSED OR OPENED/CLOSED ANYTHING PLUGGED INTO THE AUX OUTLET WILL SHORT OUT AND RESET (I.E. RADAR DETECTOR WILL REBOOT AS IF POWER SUPPLY WAS INTERRUPTED) AND/OR IF THE FACTORY INSTALLED DVD PLAYERS ARE POWERED ON, THEY WILL TURN OFF. DOES NOT QUALIFY UNDER THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE GM HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING A SIMILAR ISSUE SINCE 01/24/2019 WITH NO CURRENT RESOLUTION OR PATH FORWARD. GM ADVISES DEALERS TO ATTEMPT NO REPAIRS AT THIS TIME AND EXPECT THE CONSUMER TO "LIVE" WITH A POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE VEHICLE. GM PIT5653 EXPLAINS A PORTION OF THE ISSUE, BUT NOT ALL. PIT5653 APPLIES TO (10) DIFFERENT GM MANUFACTURED VEHICLES.
TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAR SUDDENLY SHIFTED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL AND COULD NOT BE ENGAGE BACK TO ANY DRIVE GEARS. BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE AND ACCELERATOR WAS IN OPERABLE. FINALLY CAME TO A STOP BY COASTING TO THE SHOULDER AND WAITING FOR SPEED TO DROP FAR ENOUGH TO GET VEHICLE TO GO INTO PARK.
NOTE: MILEAGE IS 1240 MILES, JUST PURCHASED THREE MONTHS AGO WITH 54 MILES ON IT AND SHIPPED TO GERMANY (DOD CIVILIAN). WHILE IN EUROPE, I AM USING THE VEHICLES' "METRIC" SETTING (KPH VERSUS MPH), WHICH SWITCHES THE SPEEDOMETER TO READ KPH AND AUTO TUNES THE ENGINE TO THE APPROPRIATE LEVELS TO MATCH KPH. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR THE LAST THREE WEEKS UNTIL THE ISSUE HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AROUND 1830 HOURS CET. ISSUE: WHILE ACCELERATING AND TUNING LEFT FROM A STOP (STOP LIGHT WITH THE CITY), THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSS POWER THEN JERKED INTO A LOWER GEAR, BUT SOMEHOW GOT STUCK IN 3RD GEAR RESTRICTING MAX SPEED OF ABOUT 25-30 MPH RUNNING AT 5000 RPMS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO STOP, START, AND PROCEED, I FOUND THE VEHICLE SEEM TO BE SLIPPING WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR, BUT WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 3RD GEAR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STRAIN AND REV AT AN UNSAFE LEVELS. TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO SHIFT TO "L" TO MANUALLY ENGAGE THE ENGINE, BUT IT KEPT CHANGING BACK TO "D" AUTOMATIC. ALSO NOTED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES THE NEXT PROGRAMMED GEAR SHIFT (E.G. 2ND GEAR TO 3RD GEAR) IT THEN JERKS, STALLS FOR ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS, THEN SUDDENLY ENGAGES 3RD GEAR RUNNING AT EXTREMELY HIGH RPMS AND NEVER SHIFTS BEYOND THAT. NOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, DAMAGED, OR WRECKED.
FRONT BRAKES LOCKING UP AT ANY SPEED. REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER . 48 HOURS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN
Component Failure Cascade Risk
Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures
▸ Complete transmission failure — repair costs $3,000–$8,000+; vehicle may become undriveable
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 41 total NHTSA complaints filed over 8 years, with the worst year being 2024 (8 complaints).
The amber reliability line averaged 94/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 89/100 in 2019.
Notably, despite 41 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2 years (2019, 2022) where complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Manufacturer Extended Warranties & Special Coverage
1 known program match this vehicle — verify current eligibility with dealer using your VIN
Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifters on 5.3L EcoTec3 and 6.2L V8 engines collapse prematurely, causing a metallic ticking noise, oil consumption, and potential engine damage. GM issued Special Coverage #N202338470 and related programs for affected vehicles.
Coverage eligibility depends on your VIN, original sale date, and current mileage. Always verify with an authorized dealer or manufacturer customer service — programs may have been updated since this database was compiled.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
Repair Cost Intelligence
Estimated repair costs for known BUICK Enclave defects — quantify your risk in dollars
AFM lifter failure
Often leads to full engine replacement if ignored ($6,000–$12,000)
Active Fuel Management (AFM) system
Disable AFM with a tune ($300–$500) to prevent lifter failure
Estimates based on RepairPal averages, ASE mechanic surveys, and NHTSA investigation data. Actual costs vary by region and shop.
5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate
Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs
Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $35,443 (~$591/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Estimated Market Value
Depreciation-based estimate from original MSRP
Based on original MSRP of $42,000 with suv depreciation curve. Range reflects ±15% market variance. Actual value depends on condition, options, and local demand.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2019 BUICK Enclave — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.
- ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 5GAERBKW4KJ156002. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 5GAERBKW4KJ156002 |
| Model Year | 2019 |
| Make | BUICK |
| Model | Enclave |
| Trim | Essence |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] |
| Doors | 4 |
| Seat Rows | 7 |
| Drive Type | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.6 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
| Assembly City | LANSING - DELTA TOWNSHIP |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 5GA |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 4 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | K |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | J |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 156002 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 1 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 41 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/1/2026, 1:05:08 AM.