2016 Buick Enclave Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Enclave years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2016 Buick Enclave has a Complaint Index of 53 and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution rating. Airbags account for 78% of its 141 complaints, with 4 recalls issued, none of which are do-not-drive.
- Complaints
- 141
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15 city / 22 hwy
Top 2016 Buick Enclave problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during rear-end and other collisions, sometimes with smoke smell in the vents afterward.
- Some drivers describe unexpected full acceleration or stalling in traffic, requiring the vehicle to be shifted to neutral or the ignition turned off to stop.
- Transmission failures are reported around 27,125 miles, including a sheared reverse snap ring that sent metal through the transmission.
- Owners describe excessive engine oil consumption before scheduled oil changes, triggering the low oil indicator.
- A tailgate reportedly closed and locked without warning while unloading cargo, causing minor hand injuries.
- One owner reported a tire sensor warning followed by a tire blowout at highway speed on a nearly new vehicle.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Enclave a Complaint Index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking it 8th worst among 16 model years. It is not the worst year but sits above the Enclave's better years like 2019, 2021, and 2022.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Buick Enclave?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 78% of the 141 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 89,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Buick Enclave have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Enclave, covering airbags, a third-row seat frame issue, and a windshield wiper motor cover defect. None are classified as do-not-drive.
- How does the 2016 Enclave compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's Complaint Index of 53 is lower than 2010, 2011, and 2014, which are rated Avoid with indexes of 80, 87, and 100. It is higher than newer years like 2018 through 2024, which score better.