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2016 Buick Enclave

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Enclave years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Enclave are substantially higher than the model-year median of 69.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 25 of 141 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2026
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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 reported the jerking/drivability p…

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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 reported the jerking/drivability problem to the selling dealer. On July 27, 2026, the selling dealer attempted a repair after I reported the jerking/drivability problem. Within approximately five minutes of leaving the dealership, the vehicle began jerking again. I then took the vehicle to an auto-parts store, where an OBD-II scan produced multiple diagnostic trouble codes, including P0300 engine misfire and several MAP-sensor-related codes. I have photographs documenting the scan results. The vehicle became disabled shortly thereafter and required towing. It was subsequently evaluated by an independent repair facility, where the MAP sensor was replaced. The vehicle later again experienced the jerking/loss-of-power condition and StabiliTrak/Traction Control warnings. On August 10, the vehicle became disabled again. These incidents have occurred while driving in traffic. When the condition occurs, I cannot reliably accelerate or maintain normal vehicle operation, creating a safety concern because I may be unable to move safely with surrounding traffic. The specific cause is UNKNOWN. The vehicle has been evaluated by the selling dealer and an independent repair facility and is being taken to an authorized Buick dealership for further diagnosis. The vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI #11760960

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2026
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves

NHTSA ODI #11749129

65,000 miles · Oct 13, 2022
Electrical SystemPower Train

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while accelerating, the fourth gear jumped to the fifth gear and was stuck. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission specialist test-drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken…

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The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while accelerating, the fourth gear jumped to the fifth gear and was stuck. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission specialist test-drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gear was burnt, and the transmission needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning lights, charging system, and radio system malfunctioned. The contact stated that he suspects that the electrical system had malfunctioned however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #11489195

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2022
Power Train

When stopped on a incline and you step on brake the transmission will go out of gear ,then when you start off you have to hold brake till transmission engages, it is really scary , I have almost rolled back into another car several times . Went back to place we bought the car new , they said it must be a safety feature, it is no…

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When stopped on a incline and you step on brake the transmission will go out of gear ,then when you start off you have to hold brake till transmission engages, it is really scary , I have almost rolled back into another car several times . Went back to place we bought the car new , they said it must be a safety feature, it is not ! My wife is scared to even drive , love the car except for this !

NHTSA ODI #11482861

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2022
Power Train

My car shutters and shakes when switching gear. My mechanic believes it’s transmission and or torque. My mechanic said he has fixed at least 6 of them recently as well and is very surprised there is no recall

NHTSA ODI #11449923

65,000 miles · Apr 20, 2020
EnginePower Train

MY CAR ISN'T LEAKING ANY OIL SO IT IS BURNING IT AND ITS IT'S UNDER WARRANTY STILL BUT THEY WON'T FIX ANYTHING ON IT AND OTHER YEAR AND MAKE MODELS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11321672

23,773 miles · Oct 21, 2018
Power Train

DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. DECIDE TO GET VEHICLE HOME SO I TURNED AROUND AND FOUND THAT I DID NOT HAVE RESERVE ALSO. ON WAY BACK HOME TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND PARK THE CAR. CALLED TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO THE DEALERS. THIS VEHICL…

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DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. DECIDE TO GET VEHICLE HOME SO I TURNED AROUND AND FOUND THAT I DID NOT HAVE RESERVE ALSO. ON WAY BACK HOME TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND PARK THE CAR. CALLED TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO THE DEALERS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 23,773 MILES ON IT. DEALER HAD TO OVERHAUL 3-5-R CLUTCH HOUSING.

NHTSA ODI #11141649

27,125 miles · Dec 15, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 27,125 MILES. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, WENT TO PROCEED AND HAD NO POWER TO MOVE. ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE. GOT VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND 3-5 REVERSE SNAP RING GROOVE HAD SHEARED OFF AND METAL WENT THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THEY HAD FOUR SIMILAR I…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 27,125 MILES. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, WENT TO PROCEED AND HAD NO POWER TO MOVE. ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE. GOT VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND 3-5 REVERSE SNAP RING GROOVE HAD SHEARED OFF AND METAL WENT THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THEY HAD FOUR SIMILAR ISSUES IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11054874

8,700 miles · Oct 8, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE GEAR DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10914858

644 miles · Sep 12, 2016
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN OUR NEW 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE WHEN I WENT TO PASS SOMEONE ON A CITY STREET AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO FULL ACCELERATION. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD BUT IT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKLY THERE…

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I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN OUR NEW 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE WHEN I WENT TO PASS SOMEONE ON A CITY STREET AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO FULL ACCELERATION. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD BUT IT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKLY THERE WEREN'T MANY CARS AROUND ME AT THE TIME. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND I NOTIFIED ON STAR SOS AND THEY NOTIFIED THE POLICE. IT WAS TOWED TO A BUICK DEALER WHERE THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT NOW. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ODI #10905913

Official recalls

4

23V334000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

May 10, 2023

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

21V782000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 7, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 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 N212349040.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

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

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 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 N212349040.

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.

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

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 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 N212349040.

15V833000 · Seats

Dec 11, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

15V609000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Sep 29, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.