What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2011 Buick Enclave

Typical pattern

8.1% of complaints about the 2011 Buick Enclave came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2011 vehicle — around the middle of the 203 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (41 complaints), typically at 5.8 yr or about 60,441 miles.

Complaints
283
Median age at failure
5.3 yr
Median mileage
56,000 n=219
Crash / fire / tow
14.1% of reports
Safety recalls
6

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
41 reports · 60,441 mi
5.8 yr
4.9%
Air bags
38 reports · 56,000 mi
4.8 yr
26.3%
Power train
37 reports · 37,900 mi
2.9 yr
5.4%
Engine
34 reports · 82,100 mi
7.8 yr
17.6%
Structure
26 reports · 53,068 mi
4.9 yr
34.6%
Electrical system
21 reports · 57,000 mi
6.1 yr
9.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

21V782000 2021-10-07
Air bags:frontal

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

21V246000 2021-04-08
Air bags:critical fasteners

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

15V415000 2015-06-30
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

14V266000 2014-05-20
Seat belts

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

14V118000 2014-03-17
Air bags:side/window

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

12V151000 2012-04-09
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN

IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Power train 300 mi 5 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS SITTING ON AN INCLINE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED. AS HE RELEASED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ROLLED BACKWARD APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY WHEN ON AN INCLINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. HE THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 369.
Power train 100 mi 1 mo in service
THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACK ON ANY INCLINE. THERE IS NO HAND BRAKE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND ACCORDING TO DOT SAFETY THIS IS NOT LEGAL. MOST CROSSOVERS AND OR SUVS OF THIS SIZE ROLL BACK A FEW INCHES BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION PINS ENGAGE AND STOP THE ROLL BACK. I WAS TOLD FROM GMC THAT THE COMPONENT WAS REMOVE SO THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SERVICED FOR 100000 MILES. GMC TOLD US THE ONLY THING THEY ARE WILLING TO DO IS INSTALL AND AFTER-MARKET HAND CONTROL AND WILL PAY A PERCENTAGE TOWARD THE COST. TO ME THIS SOUNDS LIKE A BAND-AID FIX TO A BIGGER PROBLEM.
Power train 8 mi 10 mo in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE WITH HIS YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR A MANUAL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NO FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80. UPDATED 09/19/11 *BF UPDATED 11/02/11
Structure 40,085 mi 2.6 yr in service
THE BACK AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE WAS ACTIVATED. THE LIFT GATE OPENED PROPERLY BUT WHEN IT WAS OPENED COMPLETELY THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE DOOR FELL CLOSED. LUCKILY I WAS NOT STANDING IN THE DOOR OPENING. I TRIED THE LIFT GATE ONCE MORE AND IT RESPONDED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY AND I TRIED TO STOP THE GATE FROM CLOSING AND COULD NOT, THE DOOR CLOSED EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRYING TOM HOLD IT UP. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE BUICK DEALER AND IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *TR

Other Enclave model years

20192018201720162015201420122011201020092008

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