Buick Enclave Engine Problems
Owners have filed 350 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Buick Enclave across 19 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (72). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (18% of reports).
- 350engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $3,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 47%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 63 of 350 complaints (18%)
- Traction control: mentioned in 28 of 350 complaints (8%)
- Engine power: mentioned in 25 of 350 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Buick Enclave at $3,900, and half of them between $2,600 and $4,700.
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2016–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 252 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 350 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 5 an injury.
Buick Enclave engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Enclave | 1 | 50% | — |
| 2025 Enclave | 4 | 11% | — |
| 2024 Enclave | 2 | 29% | 44,000 |
| 2023 Enclave | 2 | 10% | 1,663 |
| 2022 Enclave | 3 | 21% | — |
| 2021 Enclave | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2020 Enclave | 16 | 27% | — |
| 2019 Enclave | 12 | 27% | 17,991 |
| 2018 Enclave | 13 | 20% | 19,875 |
| 2017 Enclave | 5 | 3% | 31,053 |
| 2016 Enclave | 9 | 6% | 57,500 |
| 2015 Enclave | 12 | 7% | 74,000 |
| 2014 Enclave | 17 | 6% | 55,000 |
| 2013 Enclave | 14 | 20% | 73,000 |
| 2012 Enclave | 24 | 18% | 107,000 |
| 2011 Enclave | 35 | 16% | 82,100 |
| 2010 Enclave | 72 | 26% | 93,000 |
| 2009 Enclave | 35 | 16% | 96,207 |
| 2008 Enclave | 72 | 13% | 90,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the Buick Enclave. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The check engine light has been on for over 2 years now. It turns off and on, so it makes it hard to pass the emission test. I have replaced what shows on the emission testvas failed which are both catalyc converters, oxygen sensors and I also had to replace the engine in 2018. I have spent over…
Transmission slip, surging forward, grinding, not shifting, shuts down completely
My car started making a loud and rattling noise and when I had my vehicle looked at there was a huge crack in my exhaust pipe which could potentially be leaking harmful toxins in the cabin of my vehicle. I have been to so many places who say they donât have what they need to repair this and that…
I drove to work just fine on May 19th, 2020, when I got off work around 3pm. I started the car and as I was about to pull out on Brightleaf BLVD in smithfield, NC my car just stopped. I contacted OnStar and they pulled many codes P02AD,P0300 x2, P0305 x 2 at 126,362 miles with 73% oil life…
I purchased this used 2016 Buick Enclave in July 2026. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began repeatedly jerking and hesitating while driving. During occurrences, Traction Control/StabiliTrak warnings appeared and the vehicle experienced loss of power and difficulty accelerating normally. I…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Buick Enclaves have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 350 owner complaints about engine for the Buick Enclave. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Buick Enclave engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Buick Enclave?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,900 (half paid between $2,600 and $4,700), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Buick Enclave?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 63 of 350 complaints, followed by “traction control” (28).
Other Buick Enclave problems
- Air Bags problems (770)
- Steering problems (443)
- Power Train problems (360)
- Electrical System problems (278)
- Structure problems (175)
- Service Brakes problems (105)
See all Buick Enclave problems.