YearToAvoid

2019 Buick Enclave Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2019 Buick Enclave has a complaint index of 18, the lowest among 18 model years of this generation and better than every other year, earning a Best verdict. It has 42 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive campaigns.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
18/100
#15 of 18 Enclave years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
42
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20.5
17.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2019 Buick Enclave problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain16 (38%)
  2. Engine13 (31%)
  3. Electrical System11 (26%)
  4. Other9 (21%)
  5. Structure & Body4 (10%)
  6. Brakes3 (7%)
  7. Steering3 (7%)
  8. Airbags2 (5%)
  9. Fuel System2 (5%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Transmission slams into gear when the auto start/stop system reengages after a stop, sometimes with fluid leaking from the accumulator.
  • Front brakes locked up unexpectedly at low mileage, with the problem recurring days after a master cylinder replacement.
  • Vehicle unexpectedly shifted into neutral at highway speed, with brakes and accelerator becoming unresponsive until the driver coasted to a stop.
  • Accessory outlets and factory DVD players lose power and reset when a door is opened or closed while the engine runs.
  • A second-row seat belt was found unbolted from the frame, discovered only after interior paneling fell off.
  • Timing chain seal leaked oil from the first day of ownership, accompanied by a pitted camshaft that needed dealer replacement.
2019 Buick Enclave complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2019Jan 2020Jan 2021Jun 2022Nov 2023Dec 2024Oct 2025Aug 2026
42 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Jan 2024 (3).

2019 Buick Enclave recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

    Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

2019 Buick Enclave fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
20.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,175
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.

2019 compared with other Enclave years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Caution59179317.5
2018Good2964020.5
2019Best1842120.5
2020Good4159620.5
2021Best1225220.5

All Buick Enclave years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Buick Enclave reliable?
Among 18 model years of the Enclave, 2019 has the lowest complaint index (18) and carries a Best verdict, meaning it has fewer reported problems relative to other years.
What problems does the 2019 Buick Enclave have?
NHTSA complaints point to transmission and powertrain issues (38% of complaints, median failure mileage 60,000), engine problems (31%), and electrical system issues (26%).
Does the 2019 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (20V668000) covers the start-stop transmission accumulator, which GM said could fail if mounting bolts loosen; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
What year Buick Enclave should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA data, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 94, 82, 76, and 88, far higher than the 2019's index of 18.
How does the 2019 Enclave compare to other years for fuel economy?
The 2019 Enclave gets an EPA-rated 20.5 mpg combined (17.5 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,175.

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.