NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 45 owner complaints for the 2019 Buick Enclave. Most complaints involve power train (17) and electrical system (12). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Enclave model year we’ve synced.
| 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 |
“alternator failed approximately 2½ years earlier, and the alternator and battery were replaced. another alternator and battery installed the following year. * A pulley bolt broke while I was driving and was replaced. * I subsequently had problems with the serpentine belt squealing and producing a burning-rubber smell, and the belt was replaced. (Or so I thought.) The burning didnt go away, neither did the belt squealing. After the belt installation, the battery light came on. correcting the belt restored charging to approximately 13.9 volts. Despite that, an intermittent squeak or squeal when taking off continued. Next, A static-like sound from the radio with the Dashboard lights becoming extremely bright. And car stopping in the middle of the road. A really horrible burning-rubber smell. I turned the car off and then tried to start it again, and the symptoms then returning to normal. But the battery was running very low voltage. 11-12v. Everything went back to normal the next day. No check engine light had come on. A check-engine light and intermittent codes did appeare and disappear every so often. codes P0113, P00F4, P2229, and P0430 , and an EVAP-line issue…”
“2019 Buick Enclave (GM) w/ 29481 miles, consistently serviced and in excellent working order. In city traffic about 45-50MPH, no warning lights until total electrical/power failure - no power, no steering, no electrical/lights. Car is owned by [XXX] mother-in-law ([XXX]). Her daughter ([XXX]) was driving. Had [XXX] been driving, there would have been a wreck. [XXX] was able to coast into a corner gas station/garage. Buy next day mechanic was able to isolate failure to alternator. Since we performed the repair at the closest mechanic, I do not know what GM knows. I see on internet a high volume of alternator failures in Enclaves. It doesn't seem an alternator failure should be so abrupt, without warning and with such dire immediate impact. GM has said they 'may' have been able to help with the cost of the repair if we had had it done at an authorized service center. Frankly, this feels like a trap (and Nissan did exactly this to me 2 years ago - asking me to tow into their service center and then saying 'oops, sorry, no warranty ... ). GM should buy their failed alternator back and study why it failed and why that failure had this impact to the vehicle. The…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving in traffic at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The horn and wipers turned on unexpectedly. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was inoperable and the vehicle jerked. The doors failed to unlock, and the air conditioner was inoperable on a hot day, and the contact had symptoms of hyperventilation. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll up or down. Eventually, the vehicle failed to turn off, and the owner disconnected the battery. A towing company was called to tow the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enclave FWD Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 420 |
| Enclave AWD Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 440 |
| 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 |
1 safety recall 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.
Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (17), electrical system (12), engine (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2019 Buick Enclave at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Buick Enclave 5 out of 5 stars overall.