NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

2011 Buick Enclave (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,546 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.

2011 Buick Enclave electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Buick Enclave Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Mar 062023

Enclave

  • miles

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

Brakes are not stopping in time they are continuously scrubbing I have changed brakes and rotors and they are continuously scrubbing and not allowing me to stop in time nearly almost ran off the road I have got my brakes inspected but mechanic say there was nothing wrong the place I took it to but there is something wrong with the brakes. There is a electrical problem when it rains things stopped working inside the car every time it rains like my speakers my warning sensors things in that sort. There's also an acceleration issue it is not catching speed it's been doing this since I got the car how to basically mash it to the floor just for the vehicle to

- Huntsville , AL, USA

problem #20

Aug 152023

Enclave

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera failed to make a beeping sound alert for nearby pedestrians. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system and the turn signals sound system had failed to operate while activated. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #19

Feb 272023

Enclave

  • miles
On February 27, 2023 while on the road in the morning heading to work I stopped at a red light. When the light turned green my 2011 Buick GMC Enclave hesitated when I proceeded to accelerate. My vehicle moved slightly then without notice it stopped in the middle of a busy road as several cars backed up behind me as my check engine light came on. Also, while my foot was on the brakes, my vehicle was rolling backwards. In lieu to this hazard to myself and other drivers I placed my vehicle in park. My vehicle was towed at my own out of pocket expense of $125 in addition to $16.99 for a Lyft ride home. Two days later the auto shop informed me they checked my battery and alternator and both was good. They continued to tell me they drove my vehicle and it did not cut off or stop running. I informed them I DON-€™T FEEL SAFE KNOWING MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT NOTICE could they check it again. They kept my vehicle another day and they stated NO CODES SHOWED UP AGAIN THAT THEY CAN POINT TO A SPECIFIC ISSUE. Again, another out of pocket diagnostic expense of $125. On 02/28/23 I contacted AutoNation Buick GMC Laurel to inquire if there has been a RECALL in place. The representative stated there WAS NO RECALL IN PLACE. After extensive research and review to my ultimate shocking surprise I see numerous complaints have been expressed with Buick GMC from consumers and previous customers outlining their concerns and this hazardous life threatening situation of THEIR BUICK STOPPING WITHOUT NOTICE. Buick GMC is aware of this repeated life threatening and dangerous issue from consumers and from previous customers year after year after year. Buick GMC nevertheless STILL REMAINS SILENT AND HAVE TAKEN NO ACTIONS NO REMEDY NO RECOURSE ABOUT AMENDING AND CORRECTING THE DANGERS OF THEIR MANUFACTURED VEHICLES. SUBSEQUENTLY, BUICK GMC HAVE NOT TAKEN THE NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPLEMENT A RECALL.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #18

Jul 032020

Enclave 6-cyl

  • miles

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

We purchased a 2011 Buick Enclave for what we thought was a great deal. We were prepared to pay for basic maintenance right after purchase. The check engine light came on as we were driving on the highway. I noticed loss of power while on cruise control(set at 65mph) and the vehicle started shaking. I noticed the RPM jumping from 1 to 2. we took the vehicle to Buick for repairs. We had a tune up, 2 catalytic converters replaced, 3 O2 sensors replaced along with one other one that I'm not sure the name, oil change, struts and shocks, rear sway bar links, air filter, and a gasket manifold. We have not had this vehicle longer than 2 months. The vehicle is still doing the same thing. Today after we picked it up from the shop(no check engine light) we drove it on the highway and now the service traction control light is on along with stabilitrak control. We have 6 children. This is dangerous. What are we to do?

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #17

Nov 072019

Enclave

  • 48,076 miles
I purchased the vehicle on 11/4/19. The dealership, salesman or service department. Didn't inform me or put it in writing that the crankshaft sensor was faulty on the vehicle. John Eagle Acura didn't consider safety first. On 11/7/19 at 48,076 miles the vehicle won't crank. It was cold and rainy so I didn't drive the vehicle. On 11/17/19 I drove the vehicle to church at 48,124 miles. When I got out of church it won't crank. I called the dealership on 11/18/19 and told them about the vehicle. They told me to bring it in. I brought it in on 11/19/19 at 3P.M. I asked the service department what was the problem because the vehicle won't crank. They told me that it is the crankshaft sensor. I told the salesman that you knew it was the crankshaft sensor and you put my safety at risk. Because you and the service department and dealership knew that the crankshaft sensor was faulty and my safety was at risk. He said to me and my husband that he knew and said that he should have given me a loaner car. But he never told me about it.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #16

May 012018

Enclave

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. When driving over a puddle of water or uneven road surface, the steering failed, various warning indicators and gauges flashed, and there was a loss of power. The dealer (bob weaver auto, 2174 West market street, pottsville, pa 17901, 570-628-3610) was unable to duplicate the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Pottsville, PA, USA

problem #15

Jul 122017

Enclave

  • miles

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

Takata recall. The truck seems to be messing up I replaced battery and it worked fine for about 3 weeks and then it stopped working again, I can unplug my battery and plug it back in and it will work fine for a little.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #14

Aug 202017

Enclave

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. While driving 25 mph, the traction control off warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred once. The vehicle was towed to george gee Buick GMC (located at 21502 E george gee ave, Liberty lake, wa 99019, (509) 927-1000) where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #13

Aug 032017

Enclave

  • 68,000 miles
Sitting in car with engine running and in park the dashboard lights starts blinking and the auto door locks starts locking and unlocking by themselves. It doesn't happen all the time just once in a while.

- Largo, FL, USA

problem #12

Mar 312017

Enclave

  • 72,072 miles
On 3/31/17 returning from spring break and was going 70 mph in passing lane on interstate 65 near cullman, Alabama and my car shut down, the ECM shut down no warning lights came on, no warning from onstar that there was a problem, I cut into the right hand lane in front of my sister inlaw and nearly was side swiped, I had no breaks, no steering, everything shut down. Some kind of electrical short caused the ECM to fry. Throttle body also was replaced. Something was causing a dead short. Had my sister in law not been paying attention she surely would have side swiped me when I went down into the other lane, 5 people in my vehicle and 5 in hers and traffic was bumper to bumper. I also reported and filed a claim with GM worked with craig a senior adviser at GM. Case# 8-286830. I also field a complaint with onstar. Of course all say my car is past warranty but I feel this is an electrical problem that could certainly cause deaths. Perhaps a recall could or should be done. I think there might have been on newer models but not 2011. We did not have an accident but was 6 hours from home and stranded, having to find a rental car to get home. My car was towed to bill smith Buick GMC and it took them from Monday till Friday to figure out the problem. They ended up calling GM techs direct to try to detect the problem.

- Huntingburg, IN, USA

problem #11

Oct 102016

Enclave

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that at any given moment or speed, the daytime running lamps dimmed. The contact was not doing anything to trigger the failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Painsville, OH, USA

problem #10

Jun 122016

Enclave

  • 57,000 miles
Takata recall had stop at a store got back in car put car in drive pull out car made like a door bell sound padlel to floor no speed car was not moving traction light came on stablebilty tractionl light park unable iighton eneingel light on did not go outin the first time in motiom on city street second time on highway turning06 T ta T

- Hopkinsville, KY, USA

problem #9

Apr 012016

Enclave

  • 10,800 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the liftgate independently operated. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the liftgate switch was defective and needed to be replaced. Prior to the recall, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V415000 (structure). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,800.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #8

Mar 152016

Enclave

  • 17,058 miles
Another GM ignition switch issue. With key in ignition and vehicle not running, no chime when doors are opened. If key is removed from ignition and the driver door is opened, the radio will not turn off. Obviously, the car was parked and in park when this happened.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #7

Nov 052015

Enclave

  • 107,500 miles
My car would not start on it own. I got a boost and it started up. Went to auto store and turned the car off and removed the key but it kept running for a few minutes. The sales associated tested the battery and said it wasn't getting the proper crack amps. They did not have the battery that I needed in stock, I was able to make it home and turn off and restart the car until the next morning and the car would not start again and the key got stuck in the ignition. My husband purchased a battery from advance auto but he was still not sure that the battery was indeed the issue. Called and took the car superior motors dealership on November 5. we left the car for them to research the issue. We received a call notifying that there was a crack in the firewall that caused water to leak at the cowl area which shorted out the fuse block and corroded the connectors. My husband asked if we could get assistance with the repair because it was a defect in the product/workmanship and not something that we had control over. Superior motors informed us that we needed to reach out to General Motors directly in order to receive any type of assistance. We spoke to several customer service representative that took all of our information and assured us that the issue would be escalated and a call within 24 hours. In the meantime, we reached out to our auto insurance provider and they went out to the dealership. He notified my husband that a service bulletin has been issued in regards to the issue with our vehicle. I am disappointed because we were without transportation and had been promised several call backs. After numerous attempts of speaking with customer service agents we finally received a call back from a nicole on November 23, 2015 informing us that GM would not be assisting us. We were told by the dealership that we are lucky the car did not catch on fire.

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

problem #6

Dec 272014

Enclave

  • 36,762 miles
I walked out and tried to open my car with the remote and it did not work. So I used the key to get in it and tried to start it and nothing. Then I could not get the key out of it either. I was panicked I needed to get to work. My husband later jumped it and took the battery to get looked at. Nothing was wrong with the battery. I drove it a day later and my air conditioning was blowing heat on the drivers side and cold air on the passengers side. I just bought it in July with 28,999 miles on it. At 36,762 miles there should be no problems.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #5

Apr 292013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 24,194 miles
My vehicle struck the back of a stopped semi at 25 mph. Had sever damage to hood, driver side headlight, fender, door, window, driver side windshield, front frame, wiper motor and front bumper. Only had ignition shut off airbag and on star was not notified. After two recalls for airbags one in June or July of 2013. I took the vehicle for the second recall later that day I was hit while making a right turn by a vehicle that ran a red. I was turning from a stop. No notification again.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 232014

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
Similar to the recently announced recall on 2014 Buick Enclaves for a faulty gas gauge, the same problem occurs on the 2011 model that I just purchased as well. I have owned the vehicle for 6 weeks and 3 times have experienced the gas gauge indicate an inaccurate amount of fuel. Twice after the vehicle was turned off and turned back on, the gauge reset to an accurate ready. However one after turning the vehicle off twice, the gas gauge did not reset.....it was not until the following day that the gas gauge gave a accurate reading.

- Absecon, NJ, USA

problem #3

Mar 142014

Enclave

  • 32,000 miles
Upon ignition, the dash prompted "service air bags." After driving approximately a mile, it went off, then reappeared soon after. In light of reported fatalities due to airbag failure, General Motors must provide a manufacturer's recall.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #2

Jan 022013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
Our Buick Enclave 2011 had just started down the driveway when it got slightly stuck in a small amount of snow. The car was turned off and my husband went to get a shovel to release the snow by the wheel. When he turned around, black smoke was coming from the car! he immediately called the fire department. It only took a few seconds and flames burst from the car and it made popping noises. The engine of the car and the entire inside, (seats, steering wheel, glove compartment etc.) were completely destroyed. The fireman stated that it was an electrical fire. We purchased the car in October, 2010. We have now found similar fires on the internet but have not seen 2011. We feel this information should be made public and GMC must fix it before someone is seriously injured. My husband would have been driving down a steep hill and if the fire started there he would not have been able to get out!

- Brantingham, NY, USA

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