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
2011 Buick EnclaveRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 213 owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Enclave. Most complaints involve steering (41) and power train (38). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Oct 2021
Owner complaints
213
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Air bags: critical fasteners
Free remedy
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
213 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2011 – Oct 2026
- Steering41
- Power train38
- Air bags38
- Engine35
- Structure25
- Electrical system21
- Vehicle speed control14
- Electronic stability control (esc)11
- Fuel/propulsion system9
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
- 14
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 18
- 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
41 reports1 crash
“At low speed all power steering is lost. Almost ran into a parked car. When pulling from a driveway onto the roadway almost hit another car head on. My wife will no longer drive the car because of this.”
Power train
38 reports1 crash
“I have had my car looked at and my camshaft reductor wheel/valve is broken. This happened very unexpectedly and almost caused a serious accident at highway speeds. I was able to drift the car to the shoulder from the middle lane, but almost was hit by a semi when my car randomly stalled out in the middle of I-5. This is a problem I have sense researched and has happened to many others with the same car and model year.”
Air bags
38 reports10 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to an unknown recall. The mechanic contacted an unknown dealer and was informed that they could not assist because vehicle had previously been repaired under TSB Number: 15536. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not 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 · 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 · 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
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Buick Enclave SUV AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Buick Enclave SUV FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 16.9%
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.
2011 Enclave questions
How many recalls does the 2011 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 2011 Buick Enclave problems?
Owners filed 213 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (41), power train (38), air bags (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2011 Buick Enclave get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Buick Enclave at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
How safe is the 2011 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Buick Enclave 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026