2012 Buick Enclave Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Buick Enclave has a Complaint Index of 65 and ranks 7th out of 18 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 132 complaints, 6 recalls, and 9 crashes reported, with Engine issues (26 complaints, median 113,500 miles) as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 65/100
- #7 of 18 Enclave years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 132
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 25
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
Top 2012 Buick Enclave problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine26 (20%)
- Structure & Body26 (20%)
- Airbags21 (16%)
- Other20 (15%)
- Electrical System19 (14%)
- Steering17 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (10%)
- Brakes9 (7%)
- Fuel System8 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed frontal and side-impact crashes, sometimes with the driver striking their head on the window.
- Seat belts fail to restrain occupants during collisions, with owners reporting broken ribs and seats reclining unexpectedly.
- Engine revs unexpectedly while the brake pedal is depressed at low parking-lot speeds, causing the vehicle to accelerate into objects.
- Front seat head restraints obstruct the driver and passenger's view of the road.
- Steering pulls abnormally to one side at various speeds, requiring repeated alignment attempts at the dealer.
- Door edges protrude and cut occupants' legs when the door is closed.
2012 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.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Buick Enclave reliable?
- Compared to other Enclave model years, 2012 rates Caution with a Complaint Index of 65, ranking 7th out of 18 years. It has fewer complaints than the 2008-2011 Avoid years but more than several later years.
- What problems does the 2012 Buick Enclave have?
- NHTSA complaints point to Engine issues (26 complaints, median mileage 113,500) and Structure & Body issues (26 complaints, median mileage 75,000) as the top problem areas, followed by Airbags with 21 complaints and 6 crashes.
- Does the 2012 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 Enclave, covering airbags, seat belts, structure/body liftgate software, and wiper arm nuts. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Enclave compare to the 2013 model year?
- The 2013 Enclave has a lower Complaint Index of 35 and a Good verdict, with 69 complaints and 4 recalls, compared to the 2012's Complaint Index of 65 and Caution verdict.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Buick Enclave?
- EPA rates the 2012 Enclave at 18.5 mpg combined (16.5 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.