NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2008 Buick Enclave (Page 1 of 4)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: Buying the first model year of any vehicle is rarely a good idea. You become a guinea pig for the automaker and they are really not nice to guinea pigs.

The 2008 Enclave has a wide enough range of problems to issue a warning. There's transmission failure under 90k miles, new power steering units costing over $1,300, and enough engine complaints to NHTSA to scare anyone away.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,784 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Buick Enclave electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Buick Enclave Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #66

Mar 162022

Enclave

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sunroof messing up electrical system clogs up easily radio and everything else don't work right electrical all messed up because it clogging sunroof crankshaft won't relearn

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #65

Jun 302021

Enclave 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicles Timing Chain keeps going out had it replaced 3 times and the problem the vehicle is having still consists the vehicle constantly hesitates to start.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #64

Oct 012020

Enclave

  • 149,000 miles
Left my house it was fine. I stopped and turned it off and waited for my family member to come out of an appt. I tried to start the vehicle and wouldn't turn over and only clicked like the battery was dead, it also wouldn't let me remove the key. Then I got a jump start and it started right up. After I was home I tried starting again and it did. I just don't trust it now.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #63

Mar 202019

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 162,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At 160,000 engine power lowered could not go over 30 mph on highway service stabilitrac warning came on and completely stopped.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #62

Jan 022018

Enclave

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Ford escape. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the vehicle also stalled on occasions without warning. The vehicle was taken to hendrick Buick GMC located at cary 115 team hendrick way, cary, nc 27511, (919) 234-7784 to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that improper drainage from the roof allowed water to enter the vehicle which caused electrical systems failure. The drainage was cleared however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was also concerned about the molded carpet and possible respiratory issues. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #61

Sep 152019

Enclave

  • 56,000 miles
While the vehicle is stationary, with the shift lever in the park position, the key cannot be removed from the ignition switch on an intermittent basis. The engine shuts off, and the key turns toward the off position but the instrument panel remains lighted and the key will not turn to the off position so that it may be removed. Not a good anti-theft device for certain! the shift lever can be moved when the "stuck key" issue is going on and the vehicle will roll down any incline large or small if the shift lever moved from park. I have heard of "stuck key" issues with many other GM vehicles and am wondering if a recall will be issued. I called a local GM dealership and the service department had no information regarding any recall for the "stuck key" issue regarding my vehicle.

- Canterbury, NH, USA

problem #60

Feb 012016

Enclave

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the liftgate was lowering improperly, difficult to open, and became shut to the point that it could no longer be opened. In addition, the liftgate ajar warning indicator flashed; however, the liftgate was closed at the time. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V415000 (structure), but the contact stated that the recall repair failed to provide a permanent remedy. Sudbay Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC (88 causeway St, gloucester, MA 01930, (978) 381-5097) diagnosed that the control module needed to be replaced and stated that further testing was required to determine if any other repairs were needed. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Rockport, MA, USA

problem #59

Jun 012019

Enclave

  • 143,058 miles
My vehicle randomly opens the lift gate when it is in park. This happens both when the car is running as well as when it is not. I came out of the bank and my tailgate was open. I turned it off at the switch inside the car. It still attempts to open when I am in park. I have to lock all the doors to keep it closed.

- Pigeon, MI, USA

problem #58

May 142019

Enclave

  • 200,000 miles
We where driving the other day, lost all power to dash cluster. Found water in fuses under glove box on passenger side. Dried out and got power back; but not ABS light is on and if it goes off we lose all brakes. The traction control and stabilitrak say service and we lost our back up camera as well.

- Port Byron, NY, USA

problem #57

May 012017

Enclave

  • 90,000 miles
Sunroof water leak. When it rains water pours from all parts of the roof onto the interior of the car. From falling water to water running down through the walls of every part of the car. It has started to cause electrical problems with the vehicle and also I have found mold under the carpet where the water accumulates. It is usually 1 to 2 inches of water on the floor boards after raining. Causing mold, rust and mildew. This happens whenever it rains, a little or alot. This may be causing unhealth iisues. It would be smart for Buick to fix these issues now before medical bills are involved.

- Mount Juliet, TN, USA

problem #56

Mar 022019

Enclave

  • 165,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Light flash by them selves truck door lifts by it self serviceability track and traction control lights are on and now won't accelerate, and power steering pump is also a issue. When ever lights and hatch open alone the park is parked and cut off

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #55

Nov 222018

Enclave

  • 106,000 miles
When attempting to open the rear lift hatch (using either my key fob, the dashboard control button, or the button on the rear lift hatch) while the vehicle is parked, the rear lift hatch rises to near the top. It suddenly starts closing before it goes into a complete lift position. The part that may be defective is unknown. I am concerned that someone could reach in the rear of the Enclave to grab items, and the hatch closes in on the person before they can escape.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #54

Nov 062018

Enclave

  • 141,000 miles
2008 Buick Enclave without accidents nor sunroof or windshield repair or replacement has been experiencing water leakage from visor joints, side curtain panels and under the steering column. My radio amplifier suffered water damage and 2" of water has pooled afoot of my vehicle floor. The issue has been present as of March 2018 and has returned for repair every two months since to date and is there again today. This issue is not able to be rectified nor solved. I have researched and found flooding and water accumulation issues are a known, common and repetitive issue with this make model and year. This will result in electrical and more significant power, and operation problems. A repair, fix compensation and deep cleaning is necessary.

- Laurel, MD, USA

problem #53

Jul 032018

Enclave

  • miles
The stabilizer system is showing a warning light. Saying : the stabilizer system need service. At the same time the tire pressure symbol light come on and the check engine light follow and stays on. Showing 3 error codes P0700 - P0174 - P 0171. This is like one error code pull the other. Then the next day the light is gone, when you come and start the car and then after several hour the light comes back again.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #52

Jan 092018

Enclave

  • 0 miles
After a horrable rain, I came to my car, and found the front passenger side was flooded.I followed the water leak and found it was the sunroof, took the car to Buick dealership, and found the drain tube was clogged, my warrenty did not cover it so I had to pay $178 for the repair. I then looked it up and found there is a known NHTSA item number on the car, it is 10026482. After looking into this I found it is a reoccurring problem, it needs to be fixed-blown out every 6 months. If it is a known problem it should have been fixed a long time ago. I am on a limited income and can not afford $178 every 6 months.it is destroying the carpet. I looked on youtube to see what the process is in fixing it and I see so many wires in the path of the water. I think this is a bigger risk factor than a simple leak. We have had this car for 6months now and this is the first problem. I have one family member and one friend that is interested in this car and I will be sure to let them know of the problems that we are begining to have. This car was taken to Buick dealership, national city, ca.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #51

Nov 152017

Enclave

  • 158,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that when it rained, water leaked onto the battery housing and wires. The failure caused the vehicle to lose power while parked. The contact stated that water also came through the sun roof and flowed down the side channels onto the floorboard. In addition, the wires under the seats got wet and submerged the battery in water. The vehicle was taken to sims buck GMC (940 babbit rd, euclid, oh 44123) where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.

- Euclid, OH, USA

problem #50

Jul 132015

Enclave

  • miles
Sunroofs has been leaking since we bought it and now all the electrical stuff is going bad. It's a safety hazard. No one will help

- Fostoria, OH, USA

problem #49

Aug 072017

Enclave

  • 140,000 miles
Various problems with electrical. Had harness replaced (come to find out its due to water leak). Air bag sensors go off and on so you really don't know if its working or not. Engine shutdown completely and now when its started the engine makes loud knock. Was told possible timing chain. Only has 140,000.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

problem #48

Jun 162017

Enclave

  • 123,500 miles
I drove my Buick Enclave 2008 to Virginia from Florida with no problems but when my trip was complete, I turned car off to go in gas station and tried to turn it back on...it did not start. It started to make a twitching noise as if something electrical was wrong. I got it jumped..bought a new battery and it worked fine for 6 days. Now, it will not start at all unless it is jumped. It also locks the keys in the ignition if I tried to start it without a jump. The car continues to make a twitching noise when idle. Im am agraid of a fire igniting. I notice that each time I had a problem with the car, it had rained significantly those days. I know of another owner that is having a similar problem witb their 2008 Buick Enclave. Please help!

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #47

Nov 232016

Enclave

  • 149,000 miles
My 2008 Buick Enclave has been an accident waiting to happen the entire life of the car. My main concern is the power steering. It has gone out 5-6 times in the 8 years I have owned the vehicle.if you would like invoice of each time/date I have them with the exact problem. Five or 6 times it went out.-- three at slow speed low RPM trying to turn in the city and at 6 1 wt 230 it took all my strength not to hit a car head on during the turn.three on the interstate turning off exit an higher speed. If my daughter or granddaughter had been driving in the city they would have been dead. Buick extended the power steering warranty to 150;000 miles. I had the last power steering pump put in at 149,432 miles 11/23/16. My concern to you and Buick is about every 25K power steering goes out. I never had a power steering problem with my 2002 chevey sub with 160K witch we still drive--never had a power steering problem with my 2002 GMC den with 251K witch we still drive..Buick knows they made a engineering design flawed car with their first Enclave SUV at the expense in money and lives of the 2008 owners all 2008 Enclaves should be grounded like the 787 was before boeing/faa found out what was causing the battery fires and fixed them!!.why is a flying public life worth more than the a driving public life? if you and Buick will not ground the Enclave then at least they should be a free safety check ever quarter for the life of the car for their design flaw problems.I think there are 12. Ps I cannot write 6 times so I put last one on 'when did this happen.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

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