Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Buick Enclave problems

Owners filed 213 complaints about the 2011 Buick Enclave with NHTSA between Mar 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (41).

Complaints
213
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
18
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering41
  2. Power train38
  3. Air bags38
  4. Engine35
  5. Structure25
  6. Electrical system21
  7. Vehicle speed control14
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)11
  9. Fuel/propulsion system9
  10. Service brakes8
  11. Tires6
  12. Exterior lighting5
  13. Seat belts5
  14. Seats4

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
201119
201210
201313
201433
201532
201622
201712
201820
201920
202010
20215
20226
20235
20243
20250
20263

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

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2022SteeringODI 11480571

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2024Power trainODI 11594803

Air bags

38 reports10 crashes1 fire3 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2023Air bagsODI 11555098

Engine

35 reports2 crashes1 fire
“The check engine light has been on for over 2 years now. It turns off and on, so it makes it hard to pass the emission test. I have replaced what shows on the emission testvas failed which are both catalyc converters, oxygen sensors and I also had to replace the engine in 2018. I have spent over $10k on the car and it still has the same codes appearing. I take it to different mechanics and they tell me they don't find anything because what the emission report states is not a problem on the vehicle. They don't understand why the light is on and they all tell me this is a huge problem with Buick Enclaves. Just get rid of it and never buy another one.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 12, 2026Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11770526

Structure

25 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR OPENS 75% OF THE WAY WHEN I PUSH BUTTON OR MANUALLY BUT THEN STARTS TO CLOSES AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE DOOR SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY DUE TO DOOR CLOSING. ALSO DAY LIGHT ON PASSENGER FRONT GOES ON AND OFF. IT WILL WORK FOR A FEW DAYS THEN NOT WORK FOR WEEKS. HAVE HAD LIGHT BULB REPLACED AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2020Exterior lighting, StructureODI 11321320

Electrical system

21 reports1 crash1 fire
“Brakes are not stopping in time they are continuously scrubbing I have changed brakes and rotors and they are continuously scrubbing and not allowing me to stop in time nearly almost ran off the road I have got my brakes inspected but mechanic say there was nothing wrong the place I took it to but there is something wrong with the brakes. There is a electrical problem when it rains things stopped working inside the car every time it rains like my speakers my warning sensors things in that sort. There's also an acceleration issue it is not catching speed it's been doing this since I got the car how to basically mash it to the floor just for the vehicle to go”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2023Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11555244
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.