2008 Buick Enclave
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 536
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2008
Opened by NHTSA
26% of complaints
Complaints per year
2008: 536 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 536 |
| 2009 | 220 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 212 |
| 2012 | 132 |
| 2013 | 69 |
| 2014 | 292 |
| 2015 | 171 |
| 2016 | 141 |
| 2017 | 179 |
| 2018 | 65 |
| 2019 | 42 |
| 2020 | 58 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
26% · 141 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).
Show complaint excerpts
Once or twice a week my Enclave continues to roll another 5-7 feet after being put in park and the key removed. The accident occurred when I was unloading groceries from the rear passenger door. The vehicle moved forward and ran over my foot.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-29
Air bags
22% · 116 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle hit a stationary object, telephone pole, in the center of the front bumper. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company. The issue are the air bags of which none activated.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-11
Steering
19% · 100 reportsMost commonly citing tie rod assembly and pump.
Show complaint excerpts
Complete engine power reduction automatically casing car instantly to drop from 65 MPH down to 25 MPH in the middle of a 4 lane highway. Lost all power steering ability and not able to turn car and almost drove into trees before it came to a stop.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-06
Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and engine
Structure
15% · 78 reportsMost commonly citing body and hatchback/liftgate.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed that water was leaking inside the vehicle through the sunroof.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-11
Electrical system
14% · 73 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and instrument cluster/panel.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2008Complaint volume 536 complaints filed for this model year.
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2008-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2008-09-08 Non-crash engine compartment fires
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2008-09-12Electrical system08V441000 GM is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; hummer H2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia…
Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or…
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2008-10-13Visibility08V410000 GM is recalling 88,809 my 2008 Buick Enclave, and my 2007-2008 GMC acadia and Saturn outlook vehicles currently or previously registered in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut…
Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiper crank arm, driver's side link, and a crank arm nut. The recall began o October 13, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, Saturn…
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2010-06-11Electrical system10V240000 GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, Lucerne; Cadillac dts; hummer H2; model year 2008-2009 Buick Enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has…
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2014-06-16Air bags14V118000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014.
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2016-11-15Structure15V415000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016.
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2022-01-10Air bags21V782000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2008 Buick Enclave — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 141 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 116 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 100 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 08V441000 · Electrical system
- Recall 08V410000 · Visibility
- Recall 10V240000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V118000 · Air bags
- Recall 15V415000 · Structure
- Recall 21V782000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2008 Buick Enclave reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Buick Enclave is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Buick Enclave?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Buick Enclave have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.