Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Buick EnclaveRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 142 owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Enclave. Most complaints involve air bags (110) and power train (11). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2023
Owner complaints
142
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Air bagsReported May 10, 2023NHTSA 23V334000

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

Seats

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

SeatsReported Dec 11, 2015NHTSA 15V833000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

142 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2016 – Nov 2026
  1. Air bags110
  2. Power train11
  3. Engine10
  4. Electrical system9
  5. Seat belts3
  6. Structure3
  7. Steering3
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Visibility/wiper1

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
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

Air bags

110 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2025Air bagsODI 11682235

Power train

11 reports
“The X50A underhood fuse block (passenger side, near battery) has melted through at terminal 51 / run crank relay location. Plastic housing is burned through with charred bus bars and melted connector underneath, next to main battery cable. Vehicle first showed "Service Stabilitrak," "Service Traction Control," and "Engine Power Reduced," then went to crank-no-start condition requiring repeated jump starts to move. Codes P1682 and P0689 present. Each jump causes more heating at melted area. This is documented defect in GM TSB 19NA276 and PIT5406C for loose terminals causing arcing and thermal damage in 2013-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia. Vehicle is primary family vehicle used daily to transport 6 children. Failure caused loss of power and no-start while responsible for 6 children, creating unsafe stranding and fire risk with children in vehicle. Vehicle is now parked with battery disconnected due to fire concern. Request investigation for recall for X50A thermal events.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11774967

Engine

10 reports
“I purchased this used 2016 Buick Enclave in July 2026. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began repeatedly jerking and hesitating while driving. During occurrences, Traction Control/StabiliTrak warnings appeared and the vehicle experienced loss of power and difficulty accelerating normally. I reported the jerking/drivability problem to the selling dealer. On July 27, 2026, the selling dealer attempted a repair after I reported the jerking/drivability problem. Within approximately five minutes of leaving the dealership, the vehicle began jerking again. I then took the vehicle to an auto-parts store, where an OBD-II scan produced multiple diagnostic trouble codes, including P0300 engine misfire and several MAP-sensor-related codes. I have photographs documenting the scan results. The vehicle became disabled shortly thereafter and required towing. It was subsequently evaluated by an independent repair facility, where the MAP sensor was replaced. The vehicle later again experienced the jerking/loss-of-power condition and StabiliTrak/Traction Control warnings. On August 10, the vehicle became disabled again. These incidents have occurred while driving in traffic.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11760960
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
152218$3,450507
Enclave AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
152217$3,650518
  • Enclave FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Enclave AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
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 10040Vehicle 10039
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

2016 Enclave questions

How many recalls does the 2016 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 2016 Buick Enclave problems?

Owners filed 142 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (110), power train (11), engine (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Buick Enclave get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Buick Enclave at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Buick Enclave?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Buick Enclave 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026