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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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,091 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Buick Enclave Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #129

Jun 222024

Enclave

  • miles

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

Unknown

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #128

Jul 012023

Enclave

  • miles
At 65,000 Transmission went out 100,000 Electrical issue due to lose ground wire under fuse box 121,000 Electrical issue caused battery to drain and vehicle not turn off. Even if key out of ignition 121,000 Driver Side Curtain Airbags deployed when battery replaced

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #127

Dec 092021

Enclave

  • 108,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

- Cambridge, MD, USA

problem #126

Jun 302021

Enclave 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

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 #125

Jan 072020

Enclave

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while shifting gears at low rates of speed, the vehicle shifted abnormally. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact spoke with a dealer borcherding Buick GMC (9737 kings auto mall rd, cincinnati, oh 45249, (513) 677-9200) and was informed that the vehicle was not subjected to a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 126,000.

- Loveland, OH, USA

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problem #124

Jul 072019

Enclave

  • 194,675 miles
2008 intermittently and unexpectedly shuts off while driving. No matter the speed. Sometimes 30mph on the street, sometimes 70mph on the expressway. Sometimes it starts right back up, sometimes it doesnt. No one seems to know why. Cars cost too much to be playing guess the problem!! take to dealer at $100. A visit for them to guess and ultimately not fix the problem. Because a week later the vehicle is doing the exact same thing you took it in for. I just wish someone new what the real problem was. Very disappointed in GM. This vehicle has had so many problems, but it's supposed to be low end luxury. It's dangerous and I guess people have to start dying and a class action lawsuit against GM will happen before anything is done.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #123

Aug 012019

Enclave

  • 180,000 miles

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

I have had continuous problems over the last year with the stabilitrack system going off and it telling me to service stabilitrack. However, now my transmission is going out and I have a car that I owe way too much for and can't afford to get the transmission fixed. On top of the transmission my ignition only works part of the time. There is no point in replacing the ignition if the transmission is gone. I have already replaced the motor on the windshield wipers but apparently the previous owner had the motor replaced during the recall so I had to pay out of pocket for that. Not to mention spending over $200 just to get my headlight bulb replaced at a shop because its not simple enough to just take the cover off and replace the bulb. This car has been nothing but a money pit. The transmission has been acting a little strange like occasionally not wanting to shift one day and then being fine the next. The other day I was driving and it wouldn't shift, rev"D up to 4000 RPM and wouldn't go over 40 mph. I'm at the point where I can not afford to continue to pay full coverage insurance plus my car payment on a car I cannot drive.

- Red Lodge, MT, USA

problem #122

Apr 052019

Enclave

  • 150,211 miles
The transmission is in limp mode and is not responding. I call the manufacture low jack security system and they said I need to buy the insurance before they can unlock the vehicle. I think they playing with the computer of my vehicle. My car was running okay. No I can't use this car anymore!

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #121

May 122019

Enclave

  • 55,128 miles
Wave plate failure at 80 mph (legal speed in sd). Fortunately no accident or injuries - it could have been a lot worse! tow truck driver said this is a common GM transmission issue. Apparently a known defect as GM issued special coverage for the vehicle to 120,000 miles or 10 years. This vehicle is at 11 years, 2 months, but only 55,128 miles. Most definitely a safety issue and widespread enough that these vehicles should be recalled.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #120

Apr 282019

Enclave

  • miles
Trans is slip when when going in 3 gear.. had it replaced now it not get a signa why it N motion..L

- Hillside, IL, USA

problem #119

Apr 192019

Enclave

  • 5 miles

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

This SUV is the devil it self. Is giving me all kind of problem right now it have a limp mode and I have no idea what to do the transmission is not working in any gear. The soft codes said P0171, P 0174, P 0420, P 0300 is crazy. I have change the alternador, the purge valve, the valve canister on top of the gas tank and the other sensor that tell you about the fumes of the tank went filling. I also change the PCV valve all the breathers hoses in the intake housing, I change the troutle body, the spark plugs, the coils, the intake gaskets, the oxigents sensors, the batery poles. And this SUV still giving me problems now it went to a transmission limp mode and is not coming out not even if you erase the codes and all fuses are good.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #118

Feb 152019

Enclave

  • 146,938 miles
At 146,938 miles, the engine has died (pistons have collided with valves at two points and engine has jumped timing). The transmission needs to be replaced for the second time (originally replaced at 56K miles). There was no sign on the dash that there was a problem with either.Buick offered no help with this being so unusual for the engine to need to be replaced and the transmission for the second time.

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #117

Jan 012019

Enclave

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate beyond 40 mph and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #116

Oct 302018

Enclave

  • 15 miles
While driving in the city the RPM's was fluctuating from around 2,000 and 3,000. And also got stuck in 3rd gear. Once cleared the code it worked a little, once trying the gears in low the changing in gears was more smooth.

- Ceres, CA, USA

problem #115

Nov 012018

Enclave

  • 158,000 miles
Transmission had an overheat indication on a trip. Had the trans fluid replaced, car worked fine for another 1K miles. Car would then not shift properly, nor could it be shifted manually, took it in. Tech found a wiring connector with bad continuity, fixed that. Car good for two months. Trans began slipping badly and would only go into three gears, could not drive over 30 mph on the freeway after a 65 mph cruise. Transmission required complete replacement at 158K miles. Cost $4,285. Come to find out this known defect has happened to thousands of Enclave/acadia/Saturn SUVS since 2008. Some with as little as 20K miles, others up to 200K miles. Of course, nothing has been done about this. This is a safety and drivability issue that needs to be recalled and the owners compensated for their repair costs. Insane!

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #114

Oct 242018

Enclave

  • 65,000 miles
Buick wave plate failure service bulletin

- Monona, IA, USA

problem #113

Aug 282018

Enclave

  • 114,000 miles
My service stabilty track keeps coming in and off and it's like the car just wants to stop as I'm driving on a major highway. Also, my check engine light is now on and staying on and seems to be with the transmission. The car will not go over 20/25 mph and the rpms are going up really high with out the car really accelerateing. It's even worse knowing my children where in the car and it to happen out of no where. I have been in motion with both issues from fine one minute and not the next. I have a pic of what happens with the stabilty track but didn't get one with power problem due to where and when I was on road to dangerous. Service stabilty track happened 08/28/2018 and the power trans problem happened 09/01/2018 and is still a problem not able to drive vehicle. Will try a pic and upload later if possible. Was driving on hwy 20 in Nebraska on both occurrences coming home from work on 08/28/2018 and headed down same hwy to go camping with my children on 09/01/2018 with power team problem that is still happening not driving vehicle now.

- Bassett, NE, USA

problem #112

Feb 012015

Enclave

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact stated that the vehicle was hesitant and there was a lack of engine power. The dealer (reynolds Buick GMC, 345 N citrus St, West covina, ca 91791, (626) 966-4461) replaced the engine assembly, but the failure continued. It was later diagnosed that the transmission assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no assistance other than recommending the contact replace the part. There were no recalls regarding the transmission and engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was not available.

- Hacienda Heights, CA, USA

problem #111

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 #110

Jun 152018

Enclave

  • 88,500 miles
Loss of power completely during merging into expressways. Transmission will not allow vehicle to accelerate.

- Kaukauna, WI, USA

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