2016 Buick Enclave Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Buick Enclave has a complaint index of 47, ranking 10th worst among 18 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It has 141 complaints and 4 recalls, with airbags making up 78% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 47/100
- #10 of 18 Enclave years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 141
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2016 Buick Enclave problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags110 (78%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (7%)
- Engine9 (6%)
- Electrical System8 (6%)
- Other8 (6%)
- Seat Belts3 (2%)
- Steering3 (2%)
- Structure & Body3 (2%)
- Fuel System2 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during rear-end and other collisions, sometimes with smoke smell but no deployment.
- Engine made abnormal noises while accelerating at low speeds that dealers could not duplicate or repair.
- A tire blew out shortly after a low-pressure warning at highway speed on a nearly new vehicle.
- The power tailgate closed and locked unexpectedly, causing minor hand injuries.
- The vehicle accelerated unexpectedly and would not brake, forcing the driver to shift to neutral and turn off the ignition.
- The transmission failed at 27,125 miles when a reverse snap ring groove sheared and sent metal through the transmission.
2016 Buick Enclave recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V334000May 10, 2023Airbags995,085 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia 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. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
- 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 15V833000Dec 11, 2015Structure & Body2,633 vehicles
Seats
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Risk: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.
2016 Buick Enclave fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 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.
2016 compared with other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Buick Enclave reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Enclave has a complaint index of 47 and ranks 10th worst of 18 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Enclave years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Buick Enclave?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 78% of complaints (110 of 141), with a median failure mileage of 89,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Enclave, covering airbag inflators that may explode during deployment, a third-row seat frame issue, and a windshield wiper motor cover defect.
- What year Buick Enclave should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014 are rated Avoid, while 2016 is rated Good with a lower complaint index of 47.
- How many complaints does the 2016 Buick Enclave have?
- NHTSA has logged 141 complaints for the 2016 Enclave, along with 2 crashes, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths.