Buick Enclave Best and Worst Years (2008–2025)
Buick Enclave years to avoid are 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014, all rated Avoid due to high complaint counts and repeated airbag, steering, and engine issues. The best years are 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, with complaint indexes as low as 0 and few or no recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2008Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2014Best 2019Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023Best 2024
- Model years
- 18
- 2008–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,495
- Recall campaigns
- 28
- Crashes reported
- 89
- Fires reported
- 25
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Enclave Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Buick Enclave problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Avoid | 100 | 536 | 13 | 10 | 6 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 94 | 220 | 3 | 6 | 8 | Steering | 18.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 82 | 275 | 5 | 1 | 6 | Steering | 18.5 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 76 | 212 | 14 | 3 | 6 | Engine | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 65 | 132 | 9 | 0 | 6 | Engine | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Good | 35 | 69 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 88 | 292 | 9 | 3 | 7 | Airbags | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 53 | 171 | 7 | 0 | 5 | Airbags | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 47 | 141 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 17.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 59 | 179 | 6 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 17.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Good | 29 | 64 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 18 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 41 | 59 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Engine | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 12 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 0 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 24 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 20.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 71 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 22 | — |
Enclave years to avoid: what went wrong
2008 Buick Enclave Index 100 · 536 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2008 Enclave has the highest complaint index of the model, with 536 complaints and 6 recall campaigns. Transmission and powertrain problems led the complaints at 26 percent, with a median failure mileage of 82,020, followed by airbag issues at 21 percent. Owners also reported steering trouble at 18 percent, with failures showing up around 74,000 miles. Recalls cover a driver's airbag inflator that can explode during deployment and a power liftgate software issue. With 13 crashes and 10 fires reported, this is the highest-risk year in the lineup.
2008 transmission & powertrain problems →2008 airbags problems →2008 steering problems →
2009 Buick Enclave Index 94 · 220 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2009 Enclave logged 220 complaints and ranks second worst, driven heavily by steering problems that made up 49 percent of complaints with a median failure mileage of 70,000. Engine issues followed at 23 percent, failing around 93,960 miles. Eight recall campaigns were issued, including the driver's airbag inflator recall shared across multiple model years and a seat belt pretensioner recall. Fires were reported in 6 cases and crashes in 3, with owners describing steering and engine-related smoke or fire incidents.
2009 steering problems →2009 engine problems →2009 transmission & powertrain problems →
2014 Buick Enclave Index 88 · 292 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2014 Enclave had 292 complaints, with airbags dominating at 70 percent of all complaints and a median failure mileage of 87,750. Electrical system issues followed at 10 percent. Seven recall campaigns applied, including a driver's airbag inflator recall specific to 2014-2017 models plus the earlier shared airbag inflator and side curtain attachment recalls. Owners described airbags failing to deploy in crashes and unexplained smoke or fire incidents, with 9 crashes and 3 fires reported.
2014 airbags problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 transmission & powertrain problems →
2010 Buick Enclave Index 82 · 275 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2010 Enclave recorded 275 complaints with steering issues accounting for 46 percent, failing at a median of 68,000 miles, and engine problems at 30 percent, failing around 90,800 miles. Six recall campaigns were issued, covering the driver's airbag inflator, side curtain airbag attachment, and power liftgate software. Owners reported 5 crashes and 1 fire. This year ranks fourth worst among all Enclave model years by complaint volume and recall activity.
2010 steering problems →2010 engine problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →
2011 Buick Enclave Index 76 · 212 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2011 Enclave had 212 complaints with a complaint index of 76. Engine problems topped the list at 22 percent, failing at a median of 69,500 miles, followed by steering at 19 percent and airbags at 18 percent. This year saw 14 crashes and 18 injuries, the highest injury count among Avoid years relative to its complaint volume. Six recall campaigns applied, including the shared driver's airbag inflator recall and a side curtain airbag attachment recall.
2011 engine problems →2011 steering problems →2011 airbags problems →
Most common Buick Enclave problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags770 (31%)
- Steering443 (18%)
- Engine429 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain357 (14%)
- Electrical System303 (12%)
- Structure & Body208 (8%)
- Other205 (8%)
- Brakes196 (8%)
- Fuel System78 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires78 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Buick Enclave years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014 as the years to avoid, based on high complaint indexes and repeated airbag, steering, and engine problems across those model years.
- What is the best year for the Buick Enclave?
- 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 are rated Best, with complaint indexes ranging from 0 to 18 and few reported problems relative to other years.
- Does the Buick Enclave have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recalls covering driver's airbag inflators that may explode during deployment across 2008-2017 model years, plus a separate 2014-2017 inflator recall and a side curtain airbag attachment recall for 2010-2015 and 2017 models.
- Why is the 2008 Enclave rated worst?
- The 2008 model year has the highest complaint index (100) among all Enclave years, with 536 complaints, 6 recall campaigns, and transmission/powertrain problems making up 26 percent of its complaints.
- How many total complaints does the Buick Enclave have?
- Across 18 model years covered from 2008-2025, NHTSA lists 2,495 total complaints and 28 recall campaigns for the Buick Enclave.