Which Buick Enclave Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)

General Motors is the company that makes the Buick Enclave. Their manufacture of the vehicle began in 2007. Only in the United States, 727,415 Enclaves were sold between 2007 and 2021.

You can wind up losing money as a result of these models’ inaccuracy. I’ve put up a list of Buick Enclave models to steer clear of to help you save money.

Additionally, a few Buick Enclave model years are advised against owing to several common flaws. The three most frequent difficulties are power steering, engines, and transmissions.

I’ve also provided a list of vehicles you should think about if you’re shopping for a Buick Enclave.

Buick Enclave Years to Avoid (With Reasons)

Buick Enclave vehicles come in two generations. These started, respectively, in 2008 and 2018.

Buick Problems reports that there were 563 complaints between 2018 and 2021. The 2008 Buick Enclave, which was their entry-level vehicle, has received the majority of customer complaints.

These particular years should be avoided as problems are more prone to occur. You should steer clear of the following Buick Enclave model years:

  • 2008 Buick Enclave
  • 2009 Buick Enclave
  • 2010 Buick Enclave
  • 2011 Buick Enclave
  • 2014 Buick Enclave

Now let’s examine some of the most important issues that the worst years have.

2008 Buick Enclave Problems:

The Buick Enclave 2008 model has three significant issues. These include power steering, engine, and transmission failure. There were a few further problems, according to Car Complaints.

Users frequently report having difficulty with the 2008 model’s body, interior accessories, windows and windshields, and air conditioning.

The failure of the transmission is the most frequent transmission issue. Other examples include axle oil leaks, torque converter failure, rolling back on incline roads, and transmission leaks.

2009 Buick Enclave Problems:

Engine issues also plagued the 2009 Buick Enclave. According to this website, they have gotten a total of 25 engine problems and 20 transmission problems. The Buick Enclave considered this after the release of its first model.

The most frequent engine problems are a lit check engine light, a loose timing chain, a rough-running engine, an engine design defect, and fuel injectors that stick open.

This year, transmission problems were also rather prevalent. In addition, transmission slippage, reverse gear failure, and power steering failure were all fairly common.

2010 Buick Enclave Problems:

As the Enclave 2010 was introduced, the number of problems started to drastically decline.

Due to engine issues, the vehicle bugged several consumers. These consist of a stretched timing chain, an abrupt halt, and an engine valve that enters the cylinder.

The steering and air conditioning were the primary other problems with this model. Some typical steering problems were intermittent power steering failure, rack, and pinion failure, and electrical power assist system malfunction.

The air conditioner, which only produced hot air, was the subject of several consumer complaints. Additionally, the device didn’t always blow enough cool air.

2011 Buick Enclave Problems:

Drivetrain, cooling, braking, and heating difficulties plagued 2011 models. But in this instance, the engine was the primary problem. The steering has caused issues for several users as well.

Some of the model’s design problems have been reported by Enclave Forum. The primary problems with the interior and accessories were the GPS, poor seats, and the key getting stuck in the ignition.

2014 Buick Enclave Problems:

The Buick Enclave 2014 is the most recent model you should avoid. One of the worst things that may go wrong with this vehicle is the transmission. Other than that, electrical, engine, and heating problems are also very typical.

Transmission jerking, crashing into third gear, and transmission knocking are the three most often reported transmission issues.

The car also has suspension difficulties, steering problems, cooling system problems, electrical problems, and light problems.

What Are The Worst Years of Buick Enclave?

On review websites and blogs, some Buick Enclaves from the first generation received a lot of negative feedback. Avoid the following years if you’re looking to purchase a Buick Enclave:

  • 2008 Buick Enclave
  • 2010 Buick Enclave

The 2008 Enclave has gotten the most transmission-related complaints. Other common problems included water pouring into the interior, quarter panels falling off, improperly functioning air conditioning, leaking from the sunroof, and audio system silence.

The 2010 Enclave experienced a lot of engine and steering troubles. Many electrical and air conditioning unit problems were also the subject of numerous complaints. It is hence regarded as the second-worst in the Enclave series.

Most Common Problems of Buick Enclave

There are several reasons why some of these automobiles have garnered such negative feedback on the forums. The issues outlined below are the primary reasons to stay away from these models.

1. Transmission Malfunction

After years of driving, you could get transmission problems. This may be 100,000 miles or so. The worst product years for transmission issues are by far the Enclaves from 2008, 2009, and 2014.

As the Buick Enclave had various improvements in 2009, transmission problems became less common. However, they did not go away completely.

Avoid the Buick Enclave if it begins to shake or creak during a test drive when increasing speed or changing gears.

2. Power Steering Issues

One common issue with the Buick Enclave is the power steering pump. Customers commonly complain about severe steering wheel issues. If this happens, it could be necessary to replace the steering pump.

The worst model years for steering issues are the 2008 Enclave, 2010 Enclave, and 2011 Enclave.

You’ve lost power steering if you notice that turning the steering wheel is challenging. The expense of replacing this component may be high.

The cost of changing the pumps is too expensive. If you’re lucky, the warranty will pay for the cost of the replacement. It would cost $1,700 to fix the most common Enclave steering problems. You could become aware of these issues at 80,000 miles or less.

3. AC Unit Breakdown

A refrigerant leak is the most frequent issue with the air conditioning system in a Buick Enclave. A little crack in the system might lead to a significant leak.

The drive belt and power supply can seriously damage the air conditioner. Another potential factor is the level of refrigerant pressure.

You might need to look at them all if any of these are damaged. Many factors might lead to the compressor failing.

Road debris like small pebbles usually causes the condenser to leak. The air conditioning system might therefore malfunction. 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, and 2014 are the most impacted years.

4. Engine Related Issues

Several problems were brought on by the engine in various Buick Enclave models. The Enclave consumes a lot more oil than it should, which leads owners to fill up well below the suggested time between oil changes.

Customers who neglected routine maintenance on their SUVs ran the danger of a burst head gasket or damaged internal engine components.

Engine stalling can occur as a result of slack and elastic timing chains. Most of these engine problems affected cars that had less than 100,000 miles on them. The Buick Enclave’s most impacted model years are 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014.

Which Buick Enclave Years are Safe to Buy?

This car has had several alterations throughout the years and is still fully functional.

Let’s examine which Buick Enclave model years offer the best value for your money right now. The most reliable Enclaves are those from the year after:

  • 2012 Buick Enclave
  • 2017 Buick Enclave
  • 2019 Buick Enclave
  • 2020 Buick Enclave

The 2012 model’s 3.6-liter V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission produce 288 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.

The 2017 Buick Enclave is a fantastic model. This model possessed the power needed for a high-end SUV thanks to its 288 HP 3.6L V6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.

There are four model levels for the 2019 Buick Enclave. Consider the year’s standard model as well. It has a 9-speed automatic transmission and a V6 engine. The second row’s captain seats offer a stable and pleasant ride.

The most trustworthy Buick Enclave variant is the 2020 Enclave Avenir. Although it is less expensive to maintain than earlier versions, this does not guarantee that it is the best.

Older models of the Buick Enclave retail for about $50,000 and cost roughly $55,000 for the 2020 model.

Which Years Have the Most Engine-Related Issues?

The engine of the Enclave from the model years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2014 has a lot of problems. The majority of them suffered from timing chain stretching.

Which Years Have the Most Transmission-Related Problems?

The model years with the highest complaints about the transmission were 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2016. Transmission failure was the biggest problem with them.

Conclusion

The strong engine, sophisticated design, and wide feature package of the Buick Enclave automobiles set them apart.

There were several problems with models like the 2008 Buick Enclave. The most recent models, however, are some of the series’ best and have a lot to offer.

You now know the worst and best years for the Buick Enclave. I hope that this advice may be helpful to you when you consider buying this car.

Related Posts:

Similar Posts