The Buick Enclave is a three-row midsize crossover SUV built on a General Motors platform shared with several Chevrolet and GMC models. It went on sale for the 2008 model year and replaced the Rainier, Rendezvous and Terraza in the Buick lineup. Every Enclave through 2024 uses a 3.6L V6 with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. We put all 15 Buick Enclave model years from 2010 to 2024 side by side, using the same rule for every year.
Buick Enclave by model year
Complaints per 100,000 sold. Red: more than twice the model average. Green: the fewest, among years at least three years old.
| Year | Per 100k sold | Complaints | Recalls | Top system | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 496 | 275 | 6 | Steering | Most complaints |
| 2011 | 365 | 213 | 6 | Steering | |
| 2012 | 233 | 132 | 6 | Body and structure | |
| 2013 | 116 | 70 | 4 | Transmission | |
| 2014 | 469 | 292 | 7 | Airbags | Most complaints |
| 2015 | 275 | 171 | 5 | Airbags | |
| 2016 | 271 | 141 | 4 | Airbags | |
| 2017 | 369 | 179 | 3 | Airbags | |
| 2018 | 133 | 66 | 0 | Brakes | |
| 2019 | 86 | 44 | 1 | Transmission | |
| 2020 | 159 | 61 | 6 | Engine | |
| 2021 | 62 | 26 | 2 | Brakes | Fewest |
| 2022 | 46 | 14 | 1 | Visibility, lights and locks | Fewest |
| 2023 | 56 | 22 | 0 | Visibility, lights and locks | Fewest |
| 2024 | 27 | 7 | 0 | Seat belts |
Why these years stand out
2010: most complaints. The 2010 Buick Enclave scored 496 complaints per 100,000 sold, 2.1 times the model average. Of its 275 complaints, 108 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are steering (125), engine (72) and power train (30). NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year and 2 defect investigations.
2014: most complaints. The 2014 Buick Enclave scored 469 complaints per 100,000 sold, 2 times the model average. Of its 292 complaints, 39 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are air bags (205), electrical system (26) and power train (21). NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year and 2 defect investigations.
2021, 2022 and 2023: fewest complaints. The 2021 drew 26 complaints, or 62 per 100,000 sold; The 2022 drew 14 complaints, or 46 per 100,000 sold; The 2023 drew 22 complaints, or 56 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.
What Buick Enclave owners report most
Airbags complaints lead for the Buick Enclave, at 38% of all complaints for 2010-2024. Engine and transmission reports together make up 25%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.
When problems are reported: mileage
798 Buick Enclave complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 36% were reported before 50,000 miles and 21% after 100,000. The reports are spread across the mileage range rather than bunched at one point.
Buick Enclave compared with other midsize suvs
In 14 of 15 model years the Buick Enclave drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average midsize suv we track for the same year. For 2024, the Buick Enclave scored 27 against a class average of 140. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.
Buick Enclave generations
- 2008-2017First generation
3.6L V6 · 6-speed automatic
A 2013 update brought revised front and rear styling and a redesigned interior.
- 2018-2024Second generation
3.6L V6 · 9-speed automatic
The redesign moved the Enclave to a lighter platform and introduced the top Avenir trim.
The first-generation Enclave shared its basic structure with the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Chevrolet Traverse. The 2018 redesign replaced the 6-speed automatic with a 9-speed unit. A third generation with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine replaced this model for 2025.
Buick Enclave fuel economy
The 2026 Buick Enclave is rated at 21 to 22 MPG combined by the EPA, depending on the version. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.
Crash test stars
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave the Buick Enclave these overall ratings (out of 5) for the model years it tested: 2011: 5, 2012: 5, 2013: 5, 2014: 5, 2015: 5, 2016: 5, 2017: 5, 2018: 5, 2019: 5, 2020: 5, 2021: 5, 2022: 4-5, 2023: 4-5, 2024: 4-5. Ratings can differ between body styles and drive types of the same year.
Questions
What is the best year for the Buick Enclave?
By complaints filed with NHTSA per 100,000 sold, 2021, 2022 and 2023 had the fewest among model years at least three years old. 2021 scored 62, against a model average of 234.
What years of the Buick Enclave have the most complaints?
2010 and 2014. The 2010 scored 496 per 100,000 sold, with 108 engine or transmission complaints; The 2014 scored 469 per 100,000 sold, with 39 engine or transmission complaints. A complaint is a report from an owner and does not prove a defect.
At what mileage do Buick Enclave owners report problems?
Across 798 complaints that list the odometer reading, 36% were filed before 50,000 miles and 21% after 100,000 miles. These are miles at the time of the reported problem, not how long the vehicle lasts.
How many recalls does the Buick Enclave have?
NHTSA lists 51 recall campaigns across model years 2010-2024 (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year). Check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaint counts are reports filed by owners with NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify them, and a complaint does not prove a defect. Scores are our calculation, explained on the Method page. Not affiliated with any automaker.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaints, recalls, investigations), data through October 2026; U.S. sales from manufacturer reports, compiled by motorwick; fuel economy: U.S. EPA estimates; crash tests: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
For information only. Check the official source linked above before you buy, sell or repair.