YearToAvoid

2021 Buick Enclave Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2021 Buick Enclave has a complaint index of 12, the best rank (16 of 18 years, tied for lowest risk) with only 25 complaints and 2 recalls. It earns a Best verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls compared to other Enclave years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
12/100
#16 of 18 Enclave years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
25
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20.5
17.5 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2021 Buick Enclave problems

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

  1. Brakes6 (24%)
  2. Electrical System6 (24%)
  3. Structure & Body5 (20%)
  4. Other4 (16%)
  5. Seat Belts3 (12%)
  6. Engine2 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
  8. Fuel System1 (4%)
  9. Lane Departure1 (4%)
  10. Steering1 (4%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report a loud grinding or growling noise from the brakes that appears after the vehicle sits, sometimes starting as early as 300 miles.
  • Some drivers say the brake grinding continues for thousands of miles and dealers acknowledge it as a known GM issue without offering a repair.
  • Several owners describe reduced brake traction, feeling like the car is slowing down on a slick surface even in dry conditions.
  • The auto stop-start feature reportedly causes a hesitation when pulling away from a stop, especially when trying to complete a left turn in traffic.
  • One owner reported the lane keep assist system let the vehicle cross the lane line before intervening, nearly causing a collision.
  • A driver reported the engine abruptly locked up while driving, leaving the vehicle unable to shift or go into neutral in the middle of the street.
2021 Buick Enclave complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2021Jul 2021Sep 2022Oct 2024May 2025Apr 2026
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2021 to Jul 2026; peak Jun 2021 (3).

2021 Buick Enclave recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V210000Mar 31, 2022Airbags89 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window:curtain

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.

    Risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 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 N212352140.

  2. NHTSA 21V472000Jun 24, 2021Airbags6 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:frontal impact

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.

    Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.

2021 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.

2021 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
2019Best1842120.5
2020Good4159620.5
2021Best1225220.5
2022Best013120.5
2023Best2421020.5

All Buick Enclave years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Buick Enclave reliable?
Among Enclave model years, 2021 ranks best, with a complaint index of 12 and only 25 NHTSA complaints, giving it a Best verdict relative to other Enclave years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Buick Enclave?
Brakes and the electrical system each account for 24% of complaints, followed by structure and body issues at 20% and seat belt complaints at 12%.
Does the 2021 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Enclave, both involving airbags: one for an incompatible harness connector to the roof rail airbag and one for incorrect airbag calibration software installed during dealer service.
How does the 2021 Enclave compare to other model years?
The 2021 Enclave has a complaint index of 12, far below high-complaint years like 2008 (index 100) and 2014 (index 88), placing it among the lowest-risk Enclave years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Buick Enclave?
The 2021 Enclave gets an EPA combined rating of 20.5 mpg (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.