2017 Buick Enclave Problems & Owner Complaints

Air Bags 145 4 crash 2 injury

“THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED WHILE PARKED. THE CAR IS TOTALED. THE CAR MOVED UP SEVERAL FEET UPON IMPACT IN PARK AND HIT THE TRAILER THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SCREEN SHOWED AN ERROR MESSAGE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THAT SAID "SERVICE AIRBAGS". THERE WAS NO PRIOR NOTIFICATION OF THIS SORT PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT. THIS AIRBAG ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALERTED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE.”
NHTSA complaint #11322594, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. UPDATED 05/30/17*LJ *CN”
NHTSA complaint #10958293, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I was rear ended on the highway going 65 mph. The rear driver side was completely crushed. The air bags didn't go off. Seat belts didn't lock up and the driver's seat broke.”
NHTSA complaint #11527101, 2023 · crash

Electrical System 7

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to have the vehicle serviced at the dealer, but services were declined. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000, and at the time of obtaining a Carfax report, it was discovered that the mileage was 95,015. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for service, but was not repaired. The State Attorney General was contacted, but no addi…”
NHTSA complaint #11725463, 2025

“I had taken to Alpena Mi.Buick GMC address 133 Johnson St Alpena Mi. 49707. When the warning come up on the message center on the dash [XXX] That said service side detection system and in the side mirrors each side light up all the time and would cost $875.00 installed at that time had to pay $80.19 inspect and advise. At that time was unable to afford that cost to have fixed. So with those light on in your mirrors it was a unsafe to drive in daylight hours and worse in night time driving so we had to limit our driving because of this and both my wife and myself are on disability.. It was a d…”
NHTSA complaint #11582394, 2024

“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle however, the battery failed to provide adequate cold cranking amps (CCA) to start the vehicle. The contact replaced the battery himself. The contact noticed the vehicle was unvented. The new battery was reinstalled correctly. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11518225, 2023

Unknown Or Other 6 1 crash

“WAITING IN LINE AT SONIC DRIVEWAY STARTED REVERSING AT BREAKNECK SPEEDS - FINALLY STOPPED AFTE R JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A HEAVY PICKUP, AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFT SEEMED STICKY”
NHTSA complaint #11145220, 2018 · crash

“The engine light has come on and a diagnostic check has been made and I was told it needed the transmission replaced. This car has only 112,000 miles on it and has been maintained. Why would there be transmission issues with low mileage?”
NHTSA complaint #11490283, 2022

“MY CAR WHICH I HAVE HAD FOR 9 MONTHS IS TAKING ON WATER FROM RAIN. IT SHORTED OUT THE EGNITION SWITCH, AND AFTER RAIN YESTERDAY IT DID IT AGAIN. IT WONT TURN START AT TIMES, OR IT WONT TURN OFF! LOOKING THROUGH BUICK FORUMS THESE HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS SIENCE 2008 WITH HEAVY RAIN!”
NHTSA complaint #11176413, 2019

Engine 5

“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating, with the electronic stability warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic had not diagnosed or repaired the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced intermittent engine failure prior to the vehicle stalling. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11614459, 2024

“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the engine and TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11545580, 2023

“POWER STEERING STOPS FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, RESULTING IN A LIKELY CAR ACCIDENT. DRIVING IN CITY MAKING ANY KING OF TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. ROUGH IDLE WHEN ENGINE IS COLD.”
NHTSA complaint #11374379, 2020

Power Train 4

“Shortly after purchasing my 2017 enclave premium around 60000 I noticed a problem that felt like vehicle's tires were skipping when making sharp turns. Upon my own extensive research (as I didn’t have time money and couldn’t go won’t vehicle) discovered a clutch pack needed replaced. This is after replacing the battery and brakes nit even a month after buying. Later after taking it for an oil change I received a report stating the rear differential was cracked and power steering rack needed replaced. While driving in rush hour traffic one day all power steering was lost with no explanation…”
NHTSA complaint #11718078, 2024

“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11531531, 2023

“When driving the vehicle and going from 2rd to 3rd gear (approximately 20-30mph and 2000 rpm) the vehicle will shudder and shake. The problem is consistent. When driving the vehicle, the shakiness of the vehicle slows down acceleration and causes the car to swerve a little. No warning lights come on when this happens. The car has been checked by my mechanic who I have been using for over 30 years.”
NHTSA complaint #11520273, 2023

Seat Belts 4 3 crash 5 injury

“WE WERE DRIVING OUR BUICK ENCLAVE ON I 94 EXPRESSWAY NEAR MERRIMAN ROAD NEAR DETROIT METRO AIRPORT WHEN WE HIT A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. WE SLOWED DOWN TO 15 MPH WHEN CAR BEHIND HIT US GOING FULL HIGHWAY SPEED. THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE IN THE CAR. 2 OF THE PEOPLE (THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BEHIND THE DRIVER) DID NOT HAVE THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT HOLD. THE DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE PASSENGER HIT THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ANSWER FROM GM WAS A SIMPLE 'WELL IT SHOULD HAVE'. WE BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 13000 MILES FROM TODD WENDELL IN WESTLAND MICHIGAN. THEY SAID WHEN T…”
NHTSA complaint #11279595, 2019 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. UPDATED 05/30/17*LJ *CN”
NHTSA complaint #10958293, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I was rear ended on the highway going 65 mph. The rear driver side was completely crushed. The air bags didn't go off. Seat belts didn't lock up and the driver's seat broke.”
NHTSA complaint #11527101, 2023 · crash

Structure 4 1 crash

“WAITING IN LINE AT SONIC DRIVEWAY STARTED REVERSING AT BREAKNECK SPEEDS - FINALLY STOPPED AFTE R JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A HEAVY PICKUP, AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFT SEEMED STICKY”
NHTSA complaint #11145220, 2018 · crash

“Failed component is the front sun roof window The shattering of the glass sounded like a bullet coming through the roof of the car. Sprayed me with glass from the implosion. I was in heavy rush hour traffic. There are several complaints about the sun roof window just shattering. Not at this time. No warning or cracks in the sun roof were observed. I was driving on the Highway at 60 mph and the front sun roof window just shattered and sprayed me with glass.”
NHTSA complaint #11723536, 2026

“THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR POWER WINDOW OPERATES DIFFERENTLY THAT OTHER CARS. IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LOWER IT WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING. GM SAYS THE OPERATION IS NORMAL, YET OTHER GM MAKES AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS DO NOT OPERATE LIKE THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU WANT IT DOWN JUST AN INCH, YOU STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE WINDOW AT THE LEVEL YOU DESIRE. IT WILL DISTRACT ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF YOU CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO SET THE WINDOW LEVEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11019950, 2017

Vehicle Speed Control 4

“I took my Buick enclave into the gmc dealership two years ago for an service airbag light that kept coming on. They sent me home twice saying it was just a computer issue. Now this recall is out and I asked for my car to be serviced as I’m a mother of 4 and can’t stop driving my vehicle. They said that the part isnt out yet and nothing they can do. I’m having to drive a dangerous vehicle around with no help from gmc.”
NHTSA complaint #11598415, 2022

“ENGINE LIGHT WITH ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE CAME OUT SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO SNOW ICE OR RAIN.VERY SCARY MOMENTS, NEED TO CHECK OUT.”
NHTSA complaint #11309667, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR ASSISTANCE WITH DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR MORE THAN TWO MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SIMS BUICK-GMC (3100 ELM RD NE, WARREN, OH 44483, (330)-984-4690) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11184579, 2019

Seats 3 2 crash

“I was rear ended on the highway going 65 mph. The rear driver side was completely crushed. The air bags didn't go off. Seat belts didn't lock up and the driver's seat broke.”
NHTSA complaint #11527101, 2023 · crash

“WAITING IN LINE AT SONIC DRIVEWAY STARTED REVERSING AT BREAKNECK SPEEDS - FINALLY STOPPED AFTE R JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A HEAVY PICKUP, AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFT SEEMED STICKY”
NHTSA complaint #11145220, 2018 · crash

Exterior Lighting 2

“There has been a considerable dimming of car’s headlights over the past 6 months. Visibility at night is very low, and I usually have to use my high beams to see while driving at night. The cost to replace headlights is astronomical and requires mechanic to fix (very complicated process that requires significant amount of dismantling of the vehicle). Concerned this is a recipe for disaster as many people affected by similar issue will be unable to afford the cost of changing headlights that really shouldn’t be this dim to start with.”
NHTSA complaint #11502163, 2023

“First incidence was 11/22/2018 headlights did not function nor did taillights. Manually turned them on; yet was pulled by Ga sheriff for no headlights, who escorted me to my hotel. Put car in the shop on 11/24/2018 for diagnostics. Nothing found. Lights have continuously malfunctioned for the last six years and the vehicle has been in the shop & the problem can't be reproduced! The issue has become worse to the point the lights will not always come on when manually turned on & they will go out. There are no warning lamps or messages until this last time when we were almost killed on Lookout M…”
NHTSA complaint #11524069, 2018

Fuel/Propulsion System 2

“It’s an absolutely unreasonable period of time to fix an airbag defect, I don’t feel safe at all driving this car. What is the government doing about this?”
NHTSA complaint #11580219, 2024

“I took my Buick enclave into the gmc dealership two years ago for an service airbag light that kept coming on. They sent me home twice saying it was just a computer issue. Now this recall is out and I asked for my car to be serviced as I’m a mother of 4 and can’t stop driving my vehicle. They said that the part isnt out yet and nothing they can do. I’m having to drive a dangerous vehicle around with no help from gmc.”
NHTSA complaint #11598415, 2022

Lane Departure 2

“I had taken to Alpena Mi.Buick GMC address 133 Johnson St Alpena Mi. 49707. When the warning come up on the message center on the dash [XXX] That said service side detection system and in the side mirrors each side light up all the time and would cost $875.00 installed at that time had to pay $80.19 inspect and advise. At that time was unable to afford that cost to have fixed. So with those light on in your mirrors it was a unsafe to drive in daylight hours and worse in night time driving so we had to limit our driving because of this and both my wife and myself are on disability.. It was a d…”
NHTSA complaint #11582394, 2024

“On the SVC list, the traction control will turn off unexpectedly & the check engine light will come on. Recently, when this occured, 01/09/2022, the vehicle would start to jerk & lose power. The vehicle eventually recovered after a few minutes at reduced speed. Speed of vehicle during these occurences was any where from 30 to 45 mph, on good asphalt road, driving at a constant speed. Will return to dealer again on 1/12/2022, car will have approxmitely 25000 on it. ADAS list, foward collision warning would not always work. Lane departure warning would sometimes turn off from a few seconds…”
NHTSA complaint #11447128, 2007

Service Brakes 2

“Shortly after purchasing my 2017 enclave premium around 60000 I noticed a problem that felt like vehicle's tires were skipping when making sharp turns. Upon my own extensive research (as I didn’t have time money and couldn’t go won’t vehicle) discovered a clutch pack needed replaced. This is after replacing the battery and brakes nit even a month after buying. Later after taking it for an oil change I received a report stating the rear differential was cracked and power steering rack needed replaced. While driving in rush hour traffic one day all power steering was lost with no explanation…”
NHTSA complaint #11718078, 2024

“OUR VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. ENGINE WAS ON, ALL CONTROLS NORMAL, NO WARNING LIGHTS, ETC. AS WE BACKED OUT OF OUR PARKING SPACE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. THE CAR SLOWLY ROLLED BACKYARDS DUE TO SLIGHT INLCINE. I QUICKLY SHIFTED BACK TO PARK, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED A MINUTE BEFORE RESTARTING. ALL SEEMED FINE. 2.5 WEEKS LATER, THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED AGAIN. MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS IN THE VEHICLE THE FIRST TIME AND AFTER ONLY 4 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP AS A BRAND NEW CAR. THE SECOND TIME WAS MY WIFE AND KIDS IN…”
NHTSA complaint #11030274, 2017

Steering 2

“I had to have the power steering unit replaced under warranty and now it needs to be replaced again at less than 80000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11474086, 2022

“POWER STEERING STOPS FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, RESULTING IN A LIKELY CAR ACCIDENT. DRIVING IN CITY MAKING ANY KING OF TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. ROUGH IDLE WHEN ENGINE IS COLD.”
NHTSA complaint #11374379, 2020

Visibility/Wiper 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A DISTRACTING REFLECTION FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH IMPAIRED DRIVING. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUNLIGHT, IT SEEMED AS IF THE WINDSHIELD WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNTHRUP BUICK GMC (4200 I-70 NORTH OUTER RD, ST PETERS, MO 63376, (636) 939-0800) TO BE INSPECTED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED THIS STRIP IS DESIGNED TO LIGHT UP A BLUISH GLOW AT NIGHT ACR…”
NHTSA complaint #11022775, 2017

Back Over Prevention 1

“Rear vision camera or monitor does not provide adequate view of objects directly behind the vehicle, especially during daylight hours. Even moderate sunlight causes severe fading of what the driver should see on the monitor. The problem is exacerbated by inability to make any significant adjustments of contrast. One day at about noon, while moving my Buick from the driveway to an on-street parking space, I very nearly ran over a toddler who was on a walk with his granddad. The toddler momentarily escaped the supervision of his granddad who was several yards behind him. The toddler was not wit…”
NHTSA complaint #11483137, 2022

Chest Clip 1

“The vehicle was parked in a Driveway in Michigan on Sunday [XXX]. It was approximately 64 degrees. The car seat was safely positioned in the rear passenger side. Rear facing. The window was cracked about an inch so the vehicle was not too hot when leaving. After 4-5 hours I went to leave and the right upper seatbelt on the car seat had melted/burned to the point where it was broken into 2 pieces, which resulted in burns to the seat cushion as well. Thankfully there was not a child in the car seat at time of malfunction so the child was not put at imminent risk. Had the seatbelt not broken it c…”
NHTSA complaint #11575897, 2024

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was vibrating, with the electronic stability warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic had not diagnosed or repaired the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced intermittent engine failure prior to the vehicle stalling. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11614459, 2024

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“On the SVC list, the traction control will turn off unexpectedly & the check engine light will come on. Recently, when this occured, 01/09/2022, the vehicle would start to jerk & lose power. The vehicle eventually recovered after a few minutes at reduced speed. Speed of vehicle during these occurences was any where from 30 to 45 mph, on good asphalt road, driving at a constant speed. Will return to dealer again on 1/12/2022, car will have approxmitely 25000 on it. ADAS list, foward collision warning would not always work. Lane departure warning would sometimes turn off from a few seconds…”
NHTSA complaint #11447128, 2007

Suspension 1

“Shortly after purchasing my 2017 enclave premium around 60000 I noticed a problem that felt like vehicle's tires were skipping when making sharp turns. Upon my own extensive research (as I didn’t have time money and couldn’t go won’t vehicle) discovered a clutch pack needed replaced. This is after replacing the battery and brakes nit even a month after buying. Later after taking it for an oil change I received a report stating the rear differential was cracked and power steering rack needed replaced. While driving in rush hour traffic one day all power steering was lost with no explanation…”
NHTSA complaint #11718078, 2024

Tires 1

“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the engine and TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11545580, 2023