YearToAvoid

2012 Buick Enclave Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints for the 2012 Buick Enclave, 20% of all complaints filed for that year, with a median failure mileage of 113,500. No related engine recalls are listed for this model year.

Engine complaints
26
20% of 132
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
113,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe timing chain failure and related oil leaks near the front of the engine, sometimes cited as a known defect.
  • During light acceleration, some drivers report a mild to violent shudder with a loss or reduction of control, described by GM as normal.
  • Several owners report sudden loss of power or the engine stalling at low speed or at a stop, sometimes accompanied by low oil or a failing battery.
  • One owner reported the engine revving and accelerating unexpectedly while braking at low speed, resulting in a crash into a wall.
  • Some owners report failure to start after cranking, with the check engine light coming on and the engine unable to restart.
  • A few complaints mention rough, bumpy acceleration with engine shudder that persisted after filters, plugs, and a tune-up were replaced.

When 2012 Buick Enclave engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 7, 2014, latest May 16, 2026.

2012 Buick Enclave engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2014Jun 2018Feb 2019Mar 2020Jan 2021Aug 2021Feb 2024Jul 2025
26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2014 to May 2026; peak Aug 2018 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Buick Enclave

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Enclave model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201082 (30%)
  2. 201146 (22%)
  3. 201226 (20%)
  4. 201315 (22%)
  5. 201418 (6%)
  6. 201516 (9%)
  7. 20169 (6%)
  8. 201710 (6%)
  9. 201815 (23%)
  10. 201913 (31%)
  11. 202019 (32%)
  12. 20212 (8%)
  13. 20223 (23%)
  14. 20232 (10%)
  15. 20242 (29%)
  16. 20254 (11%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints for the 2012 Buick Enclave, which is 20% of the 132 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Buick Enclave engine?
No related engine recalls are listed in the NHTSA data for the 2012 Buick Enclave.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2012 Buick Enclave?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on this model year is 113,500 miles.
Did the 2012 Buick Enclave's engine problems cause crashes?
NHTSA data tied to engine complaints for the 2012 Buick Enclave show 2 crashes and 1 injury, with no fires reported.
How does the 2012 Buick Enclave compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2012 model's 26 engine complaints and 20% share are lower than the 2010 model year, which had 82 engine complaints making up 30% of its total complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.