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
2009 Buick EnclaveRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 220 owner complaints for the 2009 Buick Enclave. Most complaints involve steering (108) and engine (35). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Oct 2021
Owner complaints
220
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
8 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.
Seat belts
Remedy pending
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 April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
220 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2009 – Aug 2025
- Steering108
- Engine35
- Power train33
- Electrical system22
- Vehicle speed control11
- Electronic stability control (esc)9
- Air bags9
- Structure8
- Engine and engine cooling8
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
- 3
- Fires reported
- 6
- Injuries reported
- 11
- 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
Steering
108 reports1 crash1 fire
“Every time I turn right my car turns off. I am able to restart after. I’ve taken it to several mechanic's and no one seems to know the issue. I’ve had my battery change circuits change a tune up and my gas filter changed and the car still doesn’t work.”
Engine
35 reports3 fires
“My 2009 Buick Enclave CXL, VIN 5GAEV23D79J118427: Engine caught on fire during the time i was driving it. The car hesitated as if it was going to shut off then i saw smoke coming from underneath the front hood, I pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car and open the front hood, my engine was on fire. The fire was located on the passenger side of the car or the left side of the car if you were facing the front of the car. I tried to put the fire out, but the fire got out of control. I called 911 and the fire Department and Police arrived. My car was being repair due to the fire.”
Power train
33 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side and center seat belt failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but no failure could be determined. could not be determined. The contact then stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter failed to operate in drive(D). The contact stated that the shifter was stuck in drive (Low). As a result, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, the contact stated that on multiple occasions, the instrument panel digital display failed to illuminate, and the contact was unable to state whether there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the instrument panel light bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
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 | 17 | 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 2009 Buick Enclave as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 5039
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.
2009 Enclave questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Buick Enclave have?
8 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 2009 Buick Enclave problems?
Owners filed 220 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (108), engine (35), power train (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2009 Buick Enclave get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Buick Enclave at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026