2009 Buick Enclave Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Buick Enclave has a complaint index of 94, the second-worst of 18 model years, with steering issues making up 49% of its 220 complaints. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this year, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Enclave years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 94/100
- #2 of 18 Enclave years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 220
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 11
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 11 / 0
Top 2009 Buick Enclave problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering108 (49%)
- Engine51 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (15%)
- Electrical System23 (10%)
- Brakes16 (7%)
- Other13 (6%)
- Structure & Body12 (5%)
- Airbags9 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (4%)
- Seat Belts7 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering column and power steering components have failed, in some cases leading to smoke or fire under the hood while driving.
- Some owners report losing steering control at highway speed, including a case where the steering column came loose and detached.
- Engine compartment fires have started while the vehicle was parked or being driven, sometimes preceded by unusual noise or hesitation.
- Side and driver airbags reportedly failed to deploy during side-impact crashes.
- Electrical system complaints include a parasitic battery drain that killed the battery after a few days of non-use, and reports of seat fires linked to electrical faults.
- One owner reported brake failure with the pedal going to the floor while towing with an aftermarket braking system.
2009 Buick Enclave recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V782000Oct 7, 2021Airbags555 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 15V415000Jun 30, 2015Structure & Body691,144 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
- NHTSA 14V266000May 20, 2014Seat Belts1,339,355 vehicles
Seat belts
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Risk: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
2009 Buick Enclave fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Buick Enclave reliable?
- Compared to other Enclave model years, the 2009 ranks 2nd worst out of 18 years with a complaint index of 94. NHTSA recorded 220 complaints and 8 recalls for this year, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Buick Enclave?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 108 of 220 complaints (49%), with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles. Owners also reported engine issues (23%) and transmission/powertrain issues (15%).
- Does the 2009 Buick Enclave have a steering recall?
- NHTSA does not list a steering-specific recall for 2009, but the year has 8 recalls covering areas including airbags, seat belts, transmission shift cables, and electrical systems.
- How does the 2009 Enclave compare to other years?
- The 2009 model's complaint index of 94 is close to the worst year, 2008, at 100, and much higher than later years like 2019 (index 18) and 2021 (index 12), which rank among the best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Buick Enclave?
- The 2009 Enclave gets an EPA-rated 18.5 mpg combined (16.5 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.