2011 Buick Enclave Structure & Body Problems
NHTSA lists 30 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 Buick Enclave, 14% of all complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 50,000. A related recall (15V415000) addresses the power liftgate actuator control unit.
- Structure & Body complaints
- 30
- 14% of 212
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 10
- Median mileage
- 50,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical body and structure symptoms owners report
- Power liftgate opens fully but the locking mechanism fails, causing the gate to fall or slam shut unexpectedly, sometimes striking a person below it.
- Rear window unexpectedly drops down while driving, producing a loud noise and vibration mistaken for an engine problem.
- Sharp plastic edges on the front driver and passenger door frames protrude past the metal body and have cut people getting in or out.
- Molding cover around the driver's seat controls fails and exposes the wiring underneath the seat switch.
- Steering gear develops a squeaking noise at low speed and is diagnosed as failed by a dealer technician.
When 2011 Buick Enclave body and structure complaints were filed
First complaint Jun 30, 2011, latest Sep 27, 2022.
Structure & Body recalls for the 2011 Buick Enclave
- 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.
Structure & Body complaints by Enclave model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
- 201014 (5%)
- 201130 (14%)
- 201226 (20%)
- 20132 (3%)
- 20149 (3%)
- 20155 (3%)
- 20163 (2%)
- 20177 (4%)
- 20182 (3%)
- 20194 (10%)
- 20202 (3%)
- 20215 (20%)
- 20221 (8%)
- 20231 (5%)
- 20240 (0%)
- 20250 (0%)
Frequently asked questions
- How many Structure & Body complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Buick Enclave?
- NHTSA lists 30 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 Enclave, which is 14% of the 212 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall related to the 2011 Buick Enclave's structure or body?
- Yes. Recall 15V415000, reported in 2015, covers the power liftgate actuator motor control unit; GM's remedy is a software update. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
- At what mileage do these structure and body problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2011 Enclave is 50,000 miles.
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?
- NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 10 injuries associated with complaints in this problem area for the 2011 Enclave, and no fires.
- How does 2011 compare to other Enclave years for this problem area?
- The 2011 Enclave's 30 Structure & Body complaints and 14% share are higher than 2010 (14 complaints, 5%) but lower in share than 2012 (26 complaints, 20%).