YearToAvoid

2018 Buick Enclave Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 15 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Buick Enclave, 23% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 49,000. There is no related recall on file for this problem area.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
15
23% of 64
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
49,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle fails to shift into reverse or drive after being parked or after refueling, sometimes with the shift lever unresponsive.
  • A shudder or violent shake occurs during acceleration, which some owners and mechanics linked to a failing torque converter, described by some as the "GM shutter."
  • Transmission stops shifting properly on the freeway or lunges forward while idling or stopped.
  • Grinding noises come from the transmission along with loss of response when the accelerator is pressed.
  • Screeching sounds from the wheels occur while shifting through first, second, and third gears.
  • Check engine light comes on along with rough running or hesitation on acceleration.

When 2018 Buick Enclave transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 27, 2018, latest May 12, 2026.

2018 Buick Enclave transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Mar 2018Feb 2020Jul 2021Nov 2022Aug 2024May 2025Mar 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2018 to May 2026; peak Mar 2022 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 Buick Enclave

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Enclave model year

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

  1. 201033 (12%)
  2. 201138 (18%)
  3. 201213 (10%)
  4. 201313 (19%)
  5. 201421 (7%)
  6. 20154 (2%)
  7. 201610 (7%)
  8. 20174 (2%)
  9. 201815 (23%)
  10. 201916 (38%)
  11. 20209 (15%)
  12. 20212 (8%)
  13. 20221 (8%)
  14. 20231 (5%)
  15. 20241 (14%)
  16. 20253 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2018 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA lists 15 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Enclave, which is 23% of the 64 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Buick Enclave transmission?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for this problem area on the 2018 Enclave.
At what mileage do 2018 Enclave transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 49,000 miles.
Did any 2018 Enclave transmission complaints involve crashes?
NHTSA data shows one crash and no fires or injuries linked to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Enclave.
How does the 2018 Enclave compare to other years for transmission complaints?
The 2018 Enclave's 23% share of complaints in this area is higher than 2015, 2016, and 2017, but lower than the 38% share reported for 2019.

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.