2011 Buick Enclave
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
- 212
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2011
Opened by NHTSA
19% of complaints
Complaints per year
2011: 212 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.
Steering
19% · 41 reportsShow complaint excerpts
The power steering pump failed. This failure caused the steering to tighten at slow speeds making the car extremely difficult to control and safety hazard.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-21
Air bags
18% · 38 reportsShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to an unknown recall.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-14
Power train
18% · 38 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle rolls back on any incline. There is no hand brake in the center console, and according to DOT safety this is not legal.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-04-27
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that he was sitting on an incline with the brakes depressed. As he released the brakes, the vehicle abnormally rolled backward approximately 300 feet.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-03-03
Engine
16% · 34 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Alternator failed caught fire, overcharged battery, exploded battery
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-21
I drove to work just fine on May 19th, 2020, when I got off work around 3pm. I started the car and as I was about to pull out on Brightleaf BLVD in smithfield, NC my car just stopped.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-31
Structure
12% · 26 reportsMost commonly citing body and hatchback/liftgate.
Show complaint excerpts
Came home from the store , as I was getting groceries out of the back the tail liftgate came down and hit me in the head. Now when its open it jumps up and down.it has a mind of its own. Very…
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-04
The front driver and passenger doors have a very sharp plastic edge sticking out past the metal body of the door. This has caused injury to three people including myself.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-13
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2011Complaint volume 212 complaints filed for this model year.
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2012-04-27Visibility12V151000 General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Chevrolet traverse, Buick Enclave, and GMC acadia vehicles currently registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the wiper arm nuts, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 20, 2012.
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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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2014-07-11Seat belts14V266000 General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured...
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 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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2019-05-28Recall queryClosed 2020-08-31 Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
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2020-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 2024-08-30 Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
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2021-05-24Air bags21V246000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021.
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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
2011 Buick Enclave — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 41 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 38 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 38 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 12V151000 · Visibility
- Recall 14V118000 · Air bags
- Recall 14V266000 · Seat belts
- Recall 15V415000 · Structure
- Recall 21V246000 · Air bags
- Recall 21V782000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2011 Buick Enclave reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Buick Enclave is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick Enclave?
- The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2011 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.