Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Buick Enclave problems

Owners filed 275 complaints about the 2010 Buick Enclave with NHTSA between Oct 2009 and Nov 2025. The most-cited component is steering (126).

Complaints
275
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering126
  2. Engine72
  3. Power train34
  4. Electrical system23
  5. Structure12
  6. Vehicle speed control9
  7. Fuel/propulsion system8
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)8
  9. Suspension7
  10. Air bags6
  11. Service brakes6
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  13. Fuel system, gasoline3
  14. Seat belts3

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
20092
20108
201112
20127
201326
201457
201520
201630
201725
201832
201920
202014
20217
20222
20234
20245
20254

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

Steering

126 reports1 crash
“Purchased new, dealer twice during warranty kept vehicle for 6 weeks to do recall notice repairs. Now this 2010 has 42,000 miles and the steering is going bad. SB10056459-3388 describes the exact problem. During these two periods that recall repairs were done that should have addressed the problem even though the problem had not surfaced yet. This was a wear condition i was never informed of. It is getting worse now.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2023Steering, Air bags, StructureODI 11528361

Engine

72 reports
“I am filing this safety complaint regarding a sudden and dangerous engine failure in a 2010 Buick Enclave CXL purchased from Frankfort Car Outlet on 8/25/2025. On 10/25/2025, while driving on the expressway, the engine suddenly began knocking, lost power, and stalled. This created a serious safety risk to myself and other drivers. The failure occurred only 60 days after purchase and approximately 2,000 miles later, suggesting a pre-existing internal defect that the dealership did not disclose. The dealership has refused to inspect the vehicle, acknowledge the safety risk, or assist in any way. This type of sudden engine failure could pose a serious hazard if similar vehicles have the same issue, and I believe NHTSA should be aware of the potential risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2025EngineODI 11701258

Power train

34 reports
“I purchased a 2010 Buick Enclave from a dealer who did not disclose any major issues with the vehicle. After purchase, I began experiencing significant problems while driving, including difficulty shifting, loss of power, and unstable handling. Concerned for my safety, I took the Buick to a mechanic for inspection. The mechanic verified that: •The wrong transmission had been installed in the vehicle, causing unsafe shifting and performance issues. •The driveshaft was malfunctioning, which affects the stability and control of the SUV. •No warning or check engine lights were on •CV axel bolts were zip tied closed Because of these defects, the mechanic told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. These problems were never disclosed to me at the time of sale, and I would not have purchased the vehicle had I known.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2025Suspension, Power trainODI 11684851

Electrical system

23 reports
“WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS WILL SUDDENLY LOCK, UNLOCK, LOCK AND UNLOCK. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE SLOWS WAY DOWN LOSING POWER, THEN IT WILL BE OKAY TO GIVE IT MORE GAS AND IT SPEEDS UP. THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STAHLED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2024Electrical system, EngineODI 11571321

Structure

12 reports1 crash1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AUDIBLE WARNING CHIMES AND TURN SIGNAL CLICKING SOUND WHERE NOT PRESENT DUE A MALFUNCTION IN THE AUDIO AMPLIFIER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BALLAS BUICK(5715 WEST CENTRAL AVE, TOLEDO OH.) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE TO THE AUDIO AMPLIFIER HAD OCCURRED DUE TO THE WATER LEAKING INTO THE PANELS OF THE VEHICLE AND BEHIND THE FIRE WALL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2019Electrical system, StructureODI 11246623

Vehicle speed control

9 reports2 crashes
“TWICE WITHIN THE PAST MONTH WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE USING CRUISE CONTROL MY VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY STARTED ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL OR STOP THE CAR FROM TRYING TO ACCELERATE. IN BOTH CASES I HAD THE WHEREWITHAL NOT TO PANIC, CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER, PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THROTTLE UP TO 4000 RPMS WHILE STILL IN PARK. FORTUNATELY, BOTH INSTANCES OCCURRED ON STRAIGHT STRETCHES OF INTERSTATE DURING LESS THAN CROWDED HOURS. I SHUTTER TO THINK IF THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY KIDS WERE DRIVING. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT IF THERE ARE OTHER CASES OF THIS HAPPENING WE CAN MAKE SURE GM CAN FIX THIS BEFORE ANYONE GETS KILLED. I KNOW OTHER AUTOMAKERS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND WERE ABLE TO CORRECT IT THROUGH RECALL. I CONTACTED GM/BUICK WITH MY CONCERNS AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS INDEED A SAFETY CONCERN BUT SINCE MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT ADVISE ME TO TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIR AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I HAVE A VIDEO I TOOK AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2020Vehicle speed controlODI 11323490
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.