Best and worst Buick Enclave years — which to avoid

The Buick Enclave is an excellent daily driver with decent spacing and comfort, but not all of the model years were created equally reliable. There were some pretty serious issues reported through the model years, and buying one requires some knowledge of these and navigating between Buick Enclave years to avoid getting the most reliable option.

To help you utilize its spacious interior and reliability in the best way possible, our team will go through the best and worst Buick Enclave years so you’ll know which to aim for and which to avoid. We’ve rated the best and worst model years of the Enclave by their NHTSA complaints, details on official recalls, and driver reports and reviews, so let’s get straight into the details.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Buick Enclave years

While evaluating the best and worst Enclave years, our team used important metrics indicating the model’s reliability through the model years. These include NHTSA complaint records, details on official recalls scheduled by Buick, and other pieces of information such as safety ratings and crash test results.

We also wanted to provide you with a complete picture which is why our team experts also looked into consumer reviews and car ratings on sites of authority like Edmunds, KBB, and Consumer Reports. We compared all these pieces of information searching for the common thread, and that’s how we got our results:

Most common Buick Enclave problems

The Buick Enclave, which made its debut in 2008, is still being produced as of 2021. It has experienced its fair share of model-specific problems throughout the years, and some models are more prone to developing troubles. Most complaints were filed regarding the 2008 Buick Enclave. 

The following are the most typical Buick Enclave issues across all model years:

1. Engine problems

According to reports, the engines of Buick Enclave vehicles produced between 2008 and 2010 started to malfunction after 100k miles. There have been reports of the check engine light remaining on, engine failure, sluggish acceleration, timing chain troubles, and other problems.

These issues arise at high miles, but proper maintenance can help prevent them. An entire engine replacement for a Buick Enclave costs over $4,000, and engine issues cost an average of $3,000 to correct.

The Buick Enclave’s engine is one of its strong qualities; it generates enough power to drive the midsize SUV even when fully loaded. This is why many Enclave owners were dissatisfied when the timing chain in their SUV started to malfunction.

Most timing chains don’t distort until they have traveled at least 150,000 miles; however, some Enclave timing chains can do so as early as 40,000 miles.

2. Transmission problems

There have been a lot of transmission issues with Buick Enclaves from 2008 and 2009. Shuttering, slipping out of gear, and total transmission failure were among the problems.

According to reports, these problems start around 90k miles and cost $3,000 on average to fix. Repairing a Buick Enclave’s transmission can be quite pricey.

3. Power steering problems

A large car like the Buick Enclave is much easier to control with power steering. Driving can become difficult and dangerous if this feature is lost, especially if the steering becomes unresponsive when traveling at high speeds on hazardous terrain. This mostly happens due to power steering fluid leaks and improper pressure in the fluid system.

The Buick Enclave model year that receives the most power steering-related complaints is 2010. Many customers have complained that the power steering on their vehicle occasionally malfunctions. Most of the time, it gets challenging to spin the steering wheel.

Older Buick Enclave owners have frequently reported problems with their SUVs’ power steering. Some Enclave drivers from 2008 and 2009 have claimed that the power steering in their cars eventually failed.

The reported steering issues with the Buick Enclave started after 70k miles. The reported problems have an average repair cost of $1,500.

4. Internal accessories problems

The Buick Enclave’s interior is filled with various extras that make every drive enjoyable. However, some of them, if flawed or worn out, can also lead to issues for drivers and passengers.

The 2008 through 2010 Buick Enclaves’ air conditioning system, condenser, and other interior components allegedly fail after 15k miles.

Some 2015 Buick Enclave owners have complained that ambient lighting on the dashboard reflected light from outside the car. Especially if the light is bright, the reflection appears on the windshield and resembles a fracture, distracting the driver. Other 2016 Enclave owners have reported similar issues.

The heated steering wheel is a standard feature on the 2015 Enclave to keep the driver’s hands cozy. While useful in cold weather, some Enclaves’ heating systems were reportedly too hot to handle safely.

5. Check engine light problem

Check engine light issues are common in all Buick Enclave models. The check engine light might indicate several problems, which can give you a hard time with the Enclave. Even when there is no issue, the engine light may occasionally turn on.

Because of this, owners and mechanics could spend hours searching for problems that don’t exist. This ghost-like engine light issue is that you should pay attention to it since, if there is an actual problem, failing to have your Enclave checked out could result in severe damage. Fortunately, one thing that may help you decide if it’s a real problem is applying a trick to turn off the check engine light.

Worst Buick Enclave years to avoid

Without question, the midsize SUV market has been given a more opulent makeover with the Buick Enclave. The Buick Enclave is regarded as a more upscale compact SUV compared to its rivals. 

But regrettably, this car now has a list of model years to stay away from because of too many defects and recalls. Many people experience anxiety while considering buying a Buick Enclave because of those issues, so what are the worst Buick Enclave years? The worst Buick Enclave years are 2008 and 2014, but here’s a full list:

• 2008
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014

The Buick Enclave is still a good vehicle so we’ll show you why you should avoid those model years and focus on the recommended options instead.

First-generation Enclave (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 model years)

Because it was the first, this Buick Enclave is widely regarded as the worst of all the Buick Enclave models. This model year’s most prevalent fault is with the transmission, and most owners claimed that their transmission issues began around the 91,000-mile mark.

When they accelerated or changed gears, their cars would jerk and make loud noises. The cost to repair or rebuild the transmission on a Buick might reach $3500, especially if a warranty does not cover the vehicle.

There have also been reports of airbag failure, total engine failure, and power steering problems. These are all costly and risky issues that need to be addressed.

Furthermore, this model had engine problems, which caused the “check engine light” to remain illuminated. In some cases, there was nothing wrong with the engine, just a faulty check engine light. This could be costly because you’d have to pay a mechanic to determine whether the car was in good working order.

The 2009 model also had issues with the timing chain in the car wearing out around 40,000 miles. The timing chain should last approximately five times as long. While not as critical as the transmission, a broken timing chain will cause your vehicle to run improperly. This issue can cost more than $2,000 to fix, and it will only worsen if ignored.

2011 wasn’t any different. There were reports of the timing chain failing, resulting in engine power loss while driving. Another common complaint about this model was alternator failure, which means the car battery could not be charged.

Despite being released three years after the 2011 model, the 2014 Buick Enclave had just as many problems. Due to numerous issues, this model year went through six recalls for various problems including airbag faults and electrical systems.

What are the best Buick Enclave years to buy?

The Buick Enclave has experienced some difficult times, but it isn’t all awful. Buick discovered how to improve their vehicles, and the latest versions are considerably better than the early ones.

It also makes an excellent substitute for many other American SUV vehicles. Therefore, it’s a good thought that a Buick Enclave exists for you to purchase. And the relevant model years are shown here.

• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

Aside from the earliest model years, the rest are much more trustworthy and significant. Despite all the high-end fixtures they incorporate, the Buick Enclave is still competitively affordable.

The 2020 Buick Enclave Avenir has proven to be the most dependable Buick Enclave model thus far. This does not imply that it is famous or flawless, but it does mean that it is less expensive to maintain than older models.

2020 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Enclave had more than a decent reliability rating thanks to all the fixes that Buick has done to prevent earlier issues from repeating. This time around, there were no prominent engine and transmission faults and the car was much more stable with an updated suspension system.

The only reported issues were cracked windshields and inoperable window controls, but these were at least easier to repair than severe mechanical issues. Drivers report the car as being pretty dependable and perfect for road trips due to decent gas mileage.

Is the Buick Enclave worth buying?

On the Buick Enclave, newer is better. If you are purchasing a luxury vehicle, you may be willing to pay more for something that has received better reviews. As a result, we recommend the 2020 Buick Enclave.

This model year’s fuel economy is better than expected, with buyers reporting a combined 28 miles per gallon in a 450-mile trip through the mountains.

Buyers appreciate the optional 20-inch wheels and the retuned suspension and powertrain.

What appeals to buyers is the 2020 Enclave’s serene interior.

Occupants report no outside noise from the wind or the road, and the engine barely peeps.

A six-cylinder SUV with third-row seating ought to be cozy and quiet, and Buick has succeeded in that regard in more recent model years.

Additionally, these cars feature ample cargo room thanks to flat-folding back seats. You might even put a queen-sized mattress back if you have the courage.

Wondering which model years are best avoided? Dive into our articles covering GMC Acadia years to avoid, Chevy Traverse years to avoid, and Volkswagen Atlas years to avoid to discover the years that haven’t quite hit the mark. Gear up for your vehicle search armed with the clarity tha our deep-dive guides can provide.