Air bags: frontal
Remedy pending
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.
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2008 Buick EnclaveRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 536 owner complaints for the 2008 Buick Enclave. Most complaints involve power train (139) and air bags (113). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Oct 2021
Owner complaints
536
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Structure: hatchback
Free remedy
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 vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Air bags: side
Free remedy
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. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
536 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2007 – Nov 2025
- Power train139
- Air bags113
- Steering99
- Structure77
- Electrical system73
- Engine72
- Electronic stability control (esc)22
- Visibility22
- Vehicle speed control17
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Enclave model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 536 |
| 2009 | 220 |
| 2010 | 275 |
| 2011 | 213 |
| 2012 | 133 |
| 2013 | 71 |
| 2014 | 292 |
| 2015 | 171 |
| 2016 | 142 |
| 2017 | 179 |
| 2018 | 66 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2020 | 61 |
| 2021 | 26 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 22 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 39 |
| 2026 | 3 |
- Crashes reported
- 13
- Fires reported
- 10
- Injuries reported
- 41
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
139 reports2 crashes
“At 65,000 Transmission went out 100,000 Electrical issue due to lose ground wire under fuse box 121,000 Electrical issue caused battery to drain and vehicle not turn off. Even if key out of ignition 121,000 Driver Side Curtain Airbags deployed when battery replaced”
Air bags
113 reports4 crashes
“1st incident was 6/29/24 my driver seat airbag deployed. 2nd incident happened 8/3/24 when the airbag on the driver side deployed the whole side from the front to the back of the trunk.”
Steering
99 reports6 crashes
“i was driving fine until i slowed down and tried to turn, the steering wheel was hard to turn and making a grinding noise. it works fine going on the highway. i noticed this was a big issue with the enclave and wondering why this isnt recalled? ive spent enough money on this that i didnt have and cant afford another expense. i do not have a warranty on it. no check engines light and fluids are good”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
2 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 3.6L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enclave FWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Enclave AWD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
- 19mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Buick Enclave as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 2384
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2008 Enclave questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Buick Enclave have?
6 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2008 Buick Enclave problems?
Owners filed 536 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (139), air bags (113), steering (99). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2008 Buick Enclave get?
The EPA rates the 2008 Buick Enclave at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026