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Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Buick EnclaveRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints for the 2013 Buick Enclave. Most complaints involve power train (14) and engine (14). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2021
Owner complaints
71
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

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.

Air bagsReported Oct 7, 2021NHTSA 21V782000

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 8, 2021NHTSA 21V246000

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.

Seat beltsReported May 20, 2014NHTSA 14V266000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

71 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2013 – Nov 2026
  1. Power train14
  2. Engine14
  3. Steering12
  4. Electrical system12
  5. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  6. Air bags10
  7. Exterior lighting6
  8. Vehicle speed control5
  9. Fuel/propulsion system4

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 yearNHTSA complaints
2008536
2009220
2010275
2011213
2012133
201371
2014292
2015171
2016142
2017179
201866
201945
202061
202126
202214
202322
20247
202539
20263
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

14 reports1 crash
“No first gear. Engine stalls if car is brought to a halt. On take off, car will stall if given too much throttle. If able to roll from dead stop, it will jerk and hesitate as if in too high of gear or dragging clutch.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2026Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11718186

Engine

14 reports
“Check engine light illuminated due to transmission clutch not being adequate in manufacturing. Transmission causes motor to shudder due to clutches slipping. Whether in automatic or manual, when accelerating in low RPM, the entire car begins to shudder instead of downshifting. Transmission has been replaced twice, with no corrections. Happens every time the car is driven.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 2, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11606223

Steering

12 reports1 crash
“Steering wheel is so stiff it over works my arms and shoulder muscles burn it hard to turn literally feels as if the wheels is kind of bumping the frame 5 days steering wheel started to make a weird noise that is now persistent and sounds like a rubbing rubber sound and I have been getting electric shock every time I’m getting out the car and go to close the door since this started making a static like electric sound in the dash over my steering wheel they all at the same time on the same day February 4,2026 scared my car might catch fire”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2026Steering, Unknown or other, Lane departureODI 11716882
All 2013 Enclave problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard 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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Enclave FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300465
Enclave AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
  • Enclave FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Enclave AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Buick Enclave SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 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
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 7720Vehicle 7512
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2013 Enclave questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Buick Enclave have?

4 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 2013 Buick Enclave problems?

Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (14), engine (14), steering (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Buick Enclave get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Buick Enclave at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Buick Enclave?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Buick Enclave 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026