10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
125,369 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.

2012 Buick Enclave engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Buick Enclave Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Apr 012024

Enclave

  • miles

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

Driving along and engine power reduced causing car to slow significantly - like downshifting two gears. Lights / traction control lights came on dash. Errors flashed - "Traction Control Off", "Service Stabilitrak", "Engine Power Reduced" All of this not only caused a slight bit of confusion, but placed us in danger with the flow of traffic. A repair shop replaced the gas pedal, however issue persists. Research indicates the throttle body sensor might be at fault - so we replaced this. Issue persisted, so I spent time online and found a GM TSB indicating a known issue and extending the warranty 10 years or 120K miles for P2138 Code. At this point, this issue persists intermittently, so we do not consider the vehicle safe to drive.

- Citronelle, AL, USA

problem #20

Feb 072024

Enclave

  • miles
What does it mean when my car says service StabiliTrak and service traction control? Its main function is indicating that the traction system has been turned off manually to remind you to turn it back on when necessary. However, the StabiliTrak warning light may also signal potential damage to vehicle components that allow the system to work effectively. Loss of Power to Engine, Can't stear, feels like its about to blow up. It seems very usual for the Enclaves, Traverses and Acadias. And I had the same problem out of my 2014 Traverse LTZ

- Millington, TN, USA

problem #19

Feb 232022

Enclave

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving uphill and while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired after the dealer made a contract for the repair; however, the failure recurred, and the contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was then taken to two independent mechanics, who retrieved failure codes from the wheel speed sensor. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. After filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

- Goldendale, WA, USA

problem #18

Aug 032021

Enclave

  • 140,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway and attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston rods failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a second diagnostic test which confirmed the result from the dealer. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 140,000

- Eatonton, GA, USA

problem #17

Dec 042019

Enclave

  • 158,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the engine started shaking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated when he disengaged the accelerator pedal and depressed it again, the engine stopped shaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure however, the check engine light was reset. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring from the original date of purchase. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times. The contact stated that the catalytic converter, alternator, battery, fuel pump and fuel pressure sensors were replaced however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #16

Apr 152021

Enclave

  • miles
My truck started to jerking while I was driving.when I went in the dealership to get a piece for my inter rim was missing.started the truck.went into reverse.when I started in drive wouldn't move forward.haven't had any problems until today.I had to leave it at the dealership for a diagnostic..

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #15

Jan 232018

Enclave

  • miles

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

Timing belt in engine broke.

- Inkster, MI, USA

problem #14

Aug 012017

Enclave

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The cause of the failure was not determined. White Ford llc., located at 175 old farm rd, roanoke rapids, nc 27870 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

- Roanoke Rapis, NC, USA

problem #13

Aug 012020

Enclave

  • 112,000 miles
Timing chain stretched

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #12

Mar 102020

Enclave

  • 146,000 miles
Worn out timing chain and gears causing engine codes P0017, P0018, and P0019

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #11

Feb 012019

Enclave

  • 1,080,000 miles

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

When accelerating engine will shudder, lose power and drive very bumpy. I have taken vehicle for service. We have replaced all filters, points and plugs. Given the vehicle a tune up and the problem has not ceased. The check engine light is not illuminated so the computer does not give the repair shop the information it needs to repair whatever may be occurring with the engine.

- Carlton, GA, USA

problem #10

May 052019

Enclave

  • miles
Timing chain slips. Now it is shot.

- Southgate, MI, USA

problem #9

Feb 112019

Enclave

  • 75,000 miles
My vehicle just turned off while at a stop sign preparing to turn. It was towed to a mechanic that advised it was 2 quarts low in oil (oil was replaced 2 weeks prior) and that my battery needed to be replaced. They added the oil and replaced the battery. I drive the car ~ 5 miles home and it stopped again. This time when trying to start the car, there was an audible screeching coming from the engine and the engine was shaking. The mechanic offered to towels the car back to their shop. After inspection, they advised that "something" was broken inside the engine and that it needed to be replaced. My car has 75,000 miles on it; has had regular maintenance; there were no check engine lights and/or over heating lights. I was also advised by the mechanic that this is a common known issue with Buick. I'm now left with having to pay anywhere from $7500-$8500 to replace an engine on a vehicle that I've had for 2 years.

- Mableton, GA, USA

problem #8

Jan 112019

Enclave

  • 102,000 miles
We purchased a 'certified pre-owned' 2012 Buick Enclave from royal Buick of sussex New Jersey in February of 2017. The car shut off on Friday January 11th. It was towed to rossi where we have been taken it for almost two years of ongoing maintenance, both scheduled and non, and have spent over $10K in the last year alone, on service that did not resolve the clicking sound coming from the engine. Earlier that day I had made the earliest appointment available which was 10 days later, on the 21st. After breaking down, we went to their showroom that following Saturday and were seen by charlie. He wrote up a very reasonable deal for $1K down with many incentives including one for me being a volunteer emt. Matt the sales manager came back and told us that my wife's credit score was not what we had claimed and qualified for a tier two instead of a tier one which now required a $6K down payment. We checked my wife's credit score on experian before we left rossi and got the same score we had given matt originally, which we showed him and to which he responded "we use a different system". we decided to keep the Enclave and repair it. The battery, solenoid and valves were repaired before the 21st and we were told that we could pick-up the car after it was test driven by the technician. We did not hear back from rossi service so we called and were told that when test driving the vehicle after the most recent repairs - the technician heard a clicking sound coming from the engine. Wow! that sounded very familiar as this was the complaint we had often submitted to rossi in the past and that we suspected prompted expensive and unrelated repairs. This time however they told us they would need to diagnose the engine, so the next day they called us and told us, the car, with just under 103K miles - 'needs a new engine'. no further explanation was offered except a quote of $6K.

- Glen Gardner, NJ, USA

problem #7

Sep 012018

Enclave

  • 130,000 miles
While driving during light acceleration a mild to violent shudder occurs causing reduction or loss of controll GM states its normal. No specific speed happens any time at random. After researching extensively it is a common problem among this line of vehicles. Vehicle is an all wheel drive Buick Enclave platnum edition. No problem or solution is found. This is dangerous

- St. Paul, NE, USA

problem #6

Dec 012017

Enclave

  • 80,000 miles
When filling up the vehicle with gas, it is flooding the engine... there is also another issue that when you turn off your vehicle and the key is out of the ignition, the car and radio still runs...apparently, there is a fuse box that is causing this problem.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #5

Jun 012018

Enclave

  • 100,000 miles
GM has know about the faulty timing chain and the seals used on the motor for years and continued to use it costing owners thousands of dollars instead of taking the necessary steps to resolve the problem before continuing the manufacturing process. I have oil leaking out from under the vehicle on the passenger side. This has caused a large amount of oil to accumulate on the engine, brakes and under carriage that posses a safety hazard. I have had to clean this off a few times.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #4

Jun 112018

Enclave

  • 99,650 miles
My 2012 Buick Enclave started having problems on Feb. 14th. I was driving my daughter to school and all of the sudden the car chimed about 3 times (almost like the seatbelt sound) ' then all the sudden the dashboard read the following: 1.engine power is reduced 2.service traction control 3.service stabilitrak 4.the engine light comes on at the same time, the engine power is so low that I had to literally floor it, it wasn't even going 5 miles an hour, it was hard to steer and the brakes were hard to operate --- all power functions greatly reduced. Then the engine idles hard. This video is exactly what my car does: [xxx] there is no rhyme or reason when this happens---- very random. After a few minutes, I was able to restart the car and drive it to the dealership (the engine light was still on). Since the dealership can't duplicate the problem, they were unable to determine the cause for the problem. Since then, this has happened 10+ times. Recently I was going about 75 miles an hour, on the interstate, the car chimed, all the same things on the dash board, I went from 75 to 20 in seconds. Yesterday (6/11/18) was the last straw. I was going 45/50 on a major roadway when my car stopped working again. There was no shoulder to get to - an 18-wheeler carrying a large tractor had to swing into the next lane to avoid hitting me. It is only by god's grace that no one was hurt yesterday. Once the chime sounds, the car literally stops working. This is a very dangerous problem and in looking on the internet it is not uncommon to GMC vehicles. I have children and do not feel safe driving this car. I don't understand why GMC has not identified the problem. I found this video on-line that seems to identify the problem. [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Flowery Branch, GA, USA

problem #3

Apr 112018

Enclave

  • 115,000 miles
The timing chain failed on my Buick Enclave. This is a known defect that should be covered by GM under a recall. It is happening frequently to other owners as well. It is a safety issue because if it fails while driving it can result in accidents or injury. The issue occurred while moving and impacted performance, but did not result in an accident for me. I had the issue repaired by a mechanic.

- Culver City, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 172015

Enclave

  • 45,000 miles
Front suspension had to be replaced. Air conditioner, evaporator component had to be replaced three different ocasions..rear gate recall, replaced lift gates shocks.. mode valve actuator replacement.

- Calexico, CA, USA

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