2012 Buick Enclave
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 536 |
| 2009 | 220 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 211 |
| 2012 | 132 |
| 2013 | 68 |
| 2014 | 289 |
| 2015 | 170 |
| 2016 | 140 |
| 2017 | 178 |
| 2018 | 64 |
| 2019 | 39 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 35 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
18% of complaints: engine — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
What does it mean when my car says service StabiliTrak and service traction control? Its main function is indicating that the traction system has been turned off manually to remind you to turn it back on when necessary.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240208
16% of complaints: air bags — 21 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS IN A COLLISION ON 6/21/2019 THAT HAD SEVERE FRONT END OBSTRUCTIONS AND WITH A STRONG TOTAL LOSS AS A RESULT. MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON ASSEMBLY STREET, COLUMBIA SC.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190624
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130409
14% of complaints: electrical system — 19 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
POWER LIFTGATE IS NOT WORKING. IT COLLAPSED ON MY WIFES BACK AFTER SHE HAD OPENED IT TO GET GROCERIES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190129
13% of complaints: steering — 17 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: structure — 14 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE AND CLOSE THE DOOR, THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR IS SO IT CUTS MY LEG. I HAVE CUT THE LEG THREE TIMES IN THE ONE YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME DRAWING BLOOD THROUGH MATERIAL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130606
SAFETY TIMELINE
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, ILLINOI
Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
Campaign 12V151000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V118000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V266000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V415000 — check if this car was fixed
Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
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.
Campaign 21V246000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V782000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Buick Enclave — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (24 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (21 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 12V151000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V118000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V266000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V415000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V246000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V782000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Buick Enclave reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Buick Enclave is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Buick Enclave?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Buick Enclave have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.