Problems · by component
2010 Buick Enclave engine problems
72 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Buick Enclave cite engine, 26% of all 275 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
72
26% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
“The engine and fuel pump system failed while driving the vehicle. It is available upon request to inspect. I just towed it to the shop today on 10/22/25 to get a full inspection. My sister and I were put at risk while driving towards a hill in San Francisco. It was on a busy main road when suddenly the vehicle began to jerk and thud back and forth. While I pushed the gas pedal, I began to question why the vehicle was suddenly reacting this way. In efforts to pull over to the side, a huge smoke fog began to come out of the exhaust pipe. As I tried to reach the curb the car didn’t want to move any further as I pushed on the gas. I put it in park and called the tow truck (receipts below) while there were cars passing me by almost causing an accident. I have looked online to see if there was a problem or recall with this vehicle having the same issue I was having. Come to find out there was a recall issued for certain vehicles only, with the same issue as my vehicle. The vehicle was taken into a local auto shop, where they diagnosed it and inspected it. The reports show it has the same exact issues with the car as those that were recalled. No there were not any…”
“The engine was built with the same components as the 2008/2009 models and they have been recalled, the oil drains out of the engine rapidly and causes engine to seize and had to be replaced.”
“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.”
“The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, there was a knocking noise coming from the vehicle prior to starting the engine. After starting the vehicle, the noise became louder. While operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated and a humming noise was present. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who indicated that the transmission gear was faulty. The vehicle was serviced however, the failure persisted. No further information was available. In addition, after refueling the vehicle would not immediately startup. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
“I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT START, I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED IT NEEDED AN ENGINE, THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2008, 2009, 2010 BUICK ENCLAVES, BECAUSE OF THE OIL PUMP DRAINING THE ENGINE OF OIL IT SEIZED THE ENGINE. I CALLED GM AND ASKED WHY THEY HAVEN'T RECALLED THE 2010 ALONG WITH 2008, AND 2009 MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND ISSUE. THEY SAID ITS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BUT THERE IS NO FUTURE DATE IF OR WHEN THE 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE WOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ENGINE- OIL FAILURE! THIS COST OVER $4800 DOLLARS TO GET FIXED, I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP LESS THAN A YEAR PRIOR, VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH DEALER FOR NOT MAKING ME AWARE TO CHECK OIL EVERY FEW DAYS SO THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN. I ALSO JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGE DONE A MONTH BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED!”
Showing 6 of 72 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.