Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Buick Enclave problems

Owners filed 536 complaints about the 2008 Buick Enclave with NHTSA between Sep 2007 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is power train (139).

Complaints
536
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
41
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train139
  2. Air bags113
  3. Steering99
  4. Structure77
  5. Electrical system73
  6. Engine72
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)22
  8. Visibility22
  9. Vehicle speed control17
  10. Engine and engine cooling14
  11. Suspension11
  12. Service brakes10
  13. Visibility/wiper10
  14. Seats9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20076
200813
200921
201022
201121
201213
201351
2014106
201573
201658
201738
201837
201932
202018
20218
20229
20233
20244
20253

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11532452

Air bags

113 reports4 crashes2 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2024Air bagsODI 11607978

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2024SteeringODI 11587467

Structure

77 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that upon attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact stated that her husband, who was a mechanic, had inspected underneath the hood and noticed that the wiring harness underneath the engine was melting. The contact's husband scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes that indicated a computer module failure. The contact's husband purchased the module, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the module was installed and flashed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact's husband diagnosed that the wiring harness failure had caused the battery to overcharge and fail. The contact's husband replaced the battery and the alternator; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the liftgate struts had failed, causing the lift gate to close unintendedly after being lifted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2025Electrical system, StructureODI 11662645

Electrical system

73 reports2 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“I didn’t have any accidents but I when to many mechanics shops and each saying that it is an electrical problem with my 2008 Buick enclave CXL 3.6 also an issue with the airbag on the dash it showing service airbag soon I brought this car a couple of years ago and the airbag light was on when I brought it. VIN [XXX] I can be reach at [XXX] [XXX] or email me at [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 2, 2024Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11586473

Engine

72 reports2 crashes7 fires
“Sunroof messing up electrical system clogs up easily radio and everything else don't work right electrical all messed up because it clogging sunroof crankshaft won't relearn”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2022Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11467201
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.