2010 Buick Enclave Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Buick Enclave ranks 4th worst out of 18 model years, with a complaint index of 82 and 275 NHTSA complaints. Steering problems dominate at 46% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 68,000 miles, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other Enclave years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #4 of 18 Enclave years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 275
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2010 Buick Enclave problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering126 (46%)
- Engine82 (30%)
- Transmission & Powertrain34 (12%)
- Electrical System24 (9%)
- Brakes19 (7%)
- Other19 (7%)
- Structure & Body14 (5%)
- Fuel System11 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (4%)
- Airbags6 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle rolling backward on inclines even with strong brake pressure applied.
- Some describe sudden unintended acceleration, including one case where the vehicle sped up without driver input and could not be slowed by braking.
- Power steering assist reportedly fails or becomes inconsistent, with dealers unable to permanently fix the issue after repeated visits.
- One owner reported an engine fire that engulfed the compartment at low mileage, totaling the vehicle.
- Front seats have been reported to collapse in rear-impact crashes, contributing to occupant injuries.
- Radiator steam and stalling were reported alongside a crash where airbags failed to deploy.
2010 Buick Enclave recalls
6 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 21V246000Apr 8, 2021Airbags108 vehicles
Air bags:critical fasteners
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
- 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.
2010 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.
2010 compared with other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Buick Enclave reliable?
- Compared to other Enclave years, the 2010 model ranks 4th worst out of 18 years tracked, with a complaint index of 82 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Buick Enclave?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 46% of the 275 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 68,000 miles.
- Does the 2010 Buick Enclave have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2010 Buick Enclave covering airbags, seat belts, and structure and body issues, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Buick Enclave should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2008 is the worst year at 100, followed by 2009 at 94, 2014 at 88, and 2010 at 82; all carry an Avoid verdict.
- Are there engine fire reports for the 2010 Buick Enclave?
- NHTSA data shows 1 fire reported among the 2010 Enclave complaints, tied to the Engine problem area which accounts for 30% of all complaints.