2011 Buick Enclave Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Enclave years
The 2011 Buick Enclave ranks 3rd worst of 16 model years, with 212 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 87, and 6 recalls. Engine problems lead at 22% of complaints, followed by steering and airbags, making this year an Avoid relative to other Enclave years.
- Complaints
- 212
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23 hwy
Top 2011 Buick Enclave problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine46 (22%)
- Steering41 (19%)
- Airbags38 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain38 (18%)
- Structure & Body30 (14%)
- Electrical System24 (11%)
- Brakes19 (9%)
- Fuel System11 (5%)
- Other10 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (5%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in low-speed and rear-end crashes, sometimes with a hissing sound and a burning smell before the warning light came on.
- Accelerator pedal reportedly stuck in a partially depressed position, with brakes unable to stop the vehicle before it was placed into neutral.
- Vehicle reportedly moved forward on its own at a stop sign and crashed into a structure without warning.
- Electrical fire broke out shortly after the vehicle was parked and shut off, producing black smoke followed by flames within seconds.
- Power steering pump failure caused the steering to tighten at slow speeds, making the vehicle hard to control.
- Vehicle rolled backward on an incline after the brakes were released, even though the dealer called this normal.
2011 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.
2011 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.
2011 compared with other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Buick Enclave reliable?
- Compared to other Enclave model years, the 2011 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a complaint index of 87 and 212 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Buick Enclave?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 46 complaints (22% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 69,500 miles.
- Does the 2011 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Enclave, covering airbags, seat belts, structure/body (power liftgate software), and wiper arm nuts.
- Are airbags a concern on the 2011 Buick Enclave?
- Airbags are the third-largest complaint category with 38 complaints (18% of total) and 10 crashes linked to that area, at a median mileage of 55,500 miles.
- How does the 2011 Enclave compare to the 2013 or 2019 model?
- The 2013 Enclave has a much lower complaint index of 47 (Good verdict) and the 2019 has an index of 20 (Best verdict), both well below the 2011's index of 87.