Check Engine Light On

2008 Buick Enclave

This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Buick dealer.

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.

7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,620
Average Mileage:
114,450 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replaced timing chain (4 reports)
  3. replace engine (2 reports)
  4. replace fuel injector (1 reports)
  5. replaced leaking intake valves & cylinder head (1 reports)
2008 Buick Enclave engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Buick Enclave Owner Comments

problem #12

Feb 012023

Enclave 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,000 miles

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

I’ve been told I need to pay 4500 to get my car fixed, my timing belt is failing.

- Kenesha M., Bloomington, IL, US

problem #11

Oct 192021

Enclave

  • Automatic transmission
  • 208,000 miles

Traction control and stability light - no one knows how to fix them, and when I stop at a light the car cuts off. I replaced everything, even timing chain, I love my car and just need to know how to fix.

- Sherdina L., Forest Park, GA, US

problem #10

Oct 152018

Enclave CXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,284 miles

I have problem with both catalytic converters, change it in September and now at the end October the timing chain need to be changed...

I'm not very happy with this 2018 Enclave Buick :(

- Dominique T., Sorel-Tracy, QC, Canada

problem #9

Mar 282017

Enclave CXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

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

I FINANCED THIS VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2016. I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL THE MAINTENANCE AND YET IN MARCH 2017 14 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WE TAKE IT TO OUR MECHANIC AND NOT ONLY HAS IT JUMPED TIME BUT THE VALVES ARE BENT REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE TO BE PUT IN. THE COST OF THIS IS $7200. THERE ARE NO USED ENGINES TO BE FOUND AND A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH WILL SHOW HOW MANY ISSUES THE VVT ENGINES HAVE AND HOW MANY ISSUES THE ENCLAVE HAS. I'M LUCKY THAT THE ENGINE DIDN'T LOCK UP OR ANYTHING WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN. WE ARE A FAMILY LIKE ANY OTHER AMERICAN FAMILY BARELY MAKING ENDS MEET AND THIS HUGE COST HAS AFFECTED HOW WE CAN LIVE OUR LIVES. MY JOB IS NOW IN QUESTION BECAUSE OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES. WE HAVE POURED MONEY INTO A RENTAL JUST TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY ON THE VVT ENGINES AND THE COST TO THEIR CUSTOMERS IN THE LONG RUN. A $7200 REPAIR IS JUST NOT MANAGEABLE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS

- Cathie B., Saint Louis, MO, US

problem #8

Feb 062017

Enclave

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

My wife and I had traded in a Toyota 4Runner we bought. From the same dealership. FYI they are such a pain in the butt (LHM) only a few of them actually helped and cared. The 4Runner didn't work out, it died 3 days after we got it used. for a whole month they told us to end the contract and pick another car. We picked the Buick Enclave 2008. It had a minor accident in the rear bumper and the side of the back door which cost $900 to fix and I was cool with that. But then they came across a lot of safety problems and racked it up to $2,356 more. 3 Weeks later finally got the car and 3 light indicators on. 1) Traction Control. 2) Park Assist. 3) Air Bag. Told me its no big deal the sensors are off and just need to be driven around so it can reset. I took their word and 900 miles on it. They called us to take it in for emissions and discovered that the check engine lights are still on so they couldn't do it. I left the car there for them to check it out. Turns out the car died on them on the highway. after another week of waiting I needed a whole new assembly fuel pump and it will be $568.00. One week and a half later I get a call that they test drove the car and it died on them again. Now how much more will I pay? I don't know but I am ready to break some bones at this point. Worst part is I'm moving out of State in 5 days. Jan 3, 2017 to Mar 13, 2017 still no car. I have ran through my bank account more this year then 3 marathons

- Bryson P., Salt Lake City, UT, US

problem #7

Oct 142016

Enclave

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles

I had a check engine light, along with service stabilitrak, service brake system, loss of power. The light would usually go away after the vehicle was turned off but would turn back on about 30 seconds after starting to drive. took it to the dealer and they had it for 3 days. they said it had NO OIL? (I service my vehicle regularly and prior to the visit I had my oil changed 1500 miles) WHERE DID THE OIL GO? they reset the lights and right when I arrived home from the shop, the light were back on. Took it back in and again they reset lights. Got back home and again the lights came back on. Took it back again (at this point, the service department started ignoring my calls). They put a little more brake fluid in the vehicle and ever since the lights will go on and off but not as often. GM needs to get this fixed! it is a huge danger to my family to have a sudden loss of power. This vehicle is a pile of junk! I am making about 15 separate complaints on this site. It's time consuming but everyone should know that these issues are happening. Bottom line is don't but a GM product!

- Reanna N., Valley, US

problem #6

Mar 192015

Enclave CXL 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,526 miles

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

After doing some research this seems to be a common issue with the GM 3.6 engine, to the point where they extended the Warranty on the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook with the same engine. The dealer has quoted me $2100 to drop the engine and replace the timing chain with a kit. However, I have complained that this should have been covered under warranty and currently awaiting a call back to see if there's anything they can do to lessen the impact of the repair cost. Will update when I hear back from them.

Update from Apr 28, 2015: The dealer spoke with the regional rep and allowed for a partial warranty coverage reducing the cost of the repair to a $850 deductible.

- mcnubbins, Perrysburg, OH, US

problem #5

Mar 012015

Enclave LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

I've had a problem for several years, where the engine won't go above 25 mph and the check engine light comes on. I read the owner's manual and it said open the gas cap and put it back on. Each time this happens, I do it, and then the engine runs fine. My friends have called it a "vapor lock." I don't know if that is really what is wrong. Honestly, this has been going on for about three years. The engine light doesn't go out immediately, but eventually it does. It happens every couple of months.

I also wondered if it was the gas so I change gas stations hoping to find the perfect gas station with "good" gas. My current problem is I need to replace the engine mounts. The car feels horrible going over bumps and the front tires are wearing down quickly due to the weight of the engine. My car has almost 99,000 miles on it. I am the original owner. My question is should I get the engine mounts fixed and two new tires for around $1,000 or get a new car??? I hate car payments, but if I will in fact end up with serious transmission issues, I'd rather not put the money into the car. I am wondering if in replacing the engine mounts, other "engine" issues will occur????

- Janet B., Delray Beach, FL, US

problem #4

Feb 062014

Enclave CXL 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Check engine light turned on along with service stabilitrac warning on panel. Dealer fixed it (cleared codes) but it came back after about 30 minutes of driving. This has happened 3 times now and the Enclave has been in the shop 3 separate times for the same issue... this was the straw that broke the camels back.

After spending OVER $8000 in repairs on this POS in the last 18 months I am forever done with BUICK. I traded this LEMON in for a Ford Explorer. DO NOT BUY A 2008 ENCLAVE, THEY HAVE ISSUES THAT BUICK WILL NOT ADDRESS.

- Jason D., Scottsdale, AZ, US

problem #3

Jun 112012

Enclave CXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,635 miles

Bought my Enclave used with only 38000 miles on it. At 42000 miles this check engine light came on. Still under warranty thankfully. Dealer replaced timing chain and tentioners due to a camshaft correlation fault.

This was my strike 1 against the Enclave, but wait...there's more! Additional strikes to follow.

- lanie, Murfreesboro, TN, US

problem #2

Dec 052012

Enclave

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,580 miles

The dealership did a good job. Lent me a car. Covered it under the warranty.

- lyndaaz, Green Valley, AZ, US

problem #1

Dec 262012

Enclave

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,190 miles

I'm happy the repair was under warranty. I am unhappy that the same check engine message came on again. This time, the tech said that whenever the check engine light comes on, the traction control and stabilitrak is disabled. How strange is that? What does the engine have to do with the traction control?

I was told that this car can have LOTS of things go wrong with it and that I should buy an extended warranty. That gave me no comfort as my drivetrain warranty expires in February.

Buick's customer service people at the corporation have been following this and checking with the dealer doing the work. They have asked me how they can make this right as this is the second repair this month. I suggested they extend the warranty for me. A representative is supposed to call in two days.

- lyndaaz, Green Valley, AZ, US

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