2010 Buick Enclave Owner Complaints

I am filing this safety complaint regarding a sudden and dangerous engine failure in a 2010 Buick Enclave CXL purchased from Frankfort Car Outlet on 8/25/2025. On 10/25/2025, while driving on the expressway, the engine suddenly began knocking, lost power, and stalled. This created a serious safety risk to myself and other drivers. The failure occurred only 60 days after purchase and approximately 2,000 miles later, suggesting a pre-existing internal defect that the dealership did not disclose. The dealership has refused to inspect the vehicle, acknowledge the safety risk, or assist in any way. This type of sudden engine failure could pose a serious hazard if similar vehicles have the same issue, and I believe NHTSA should be aware of the potential risk.

NHTSA ID

11701258

Incident

Oct 25, 2025

The engine and fuel pump system failed while driving the vehicle. It is available upon request to inspect. I just towed it to the shop today on 10/22/25 to get a full inspection. My sister and I were put at risk while driving towards a hill in San Francisco. It was on a busy main road when suddenly the vehicle began to jerk and thud back and forth. While I pushed the gas pedal, I began to question why the vehicle was suddenly reacting this way. In efforts to pull over to the side, a huge smoke fog began to come out of the exhaust pipe. As I tried to reach the curb the car didn’t want to move any further as I pushed on the gas. I put it in park and called the tow truck (receipts below) while there were cars passing me by almost causing an accident. I have looked online to see if there was a problem or recall with this vehicle having the same issue I was having. Come to find out there was a recall issued for certain vehicles only, with the same issue as my vehicle. The vehicle was taken into a local auto shop, where they diagnosed it and inspected it. The reports show it has the same exact issues with the car as those that were recalled. No there were not any warning signs nor failure signals. Due to this reason, I was completely caught off guard.

NHTSA ID

11695070

Incident

Jun 14, 2024

I purchased a 2010 Buick Enclave from a dealer who did not disclose any major issues with the vehicle. After purchase, I began experiencing significant problems while driving, including difficulty shifting, loss of power, and unstable handling. Concerned for my safety, I took the Buick to a mechanic for inspection. The mechanic verified that: •The wrong transmission had been installed in the vehicle, causing unsafe shifting and performance issues. •The driveshaft was malfunctioning, which affects the stability and control of the SUV. •No warning or check engine lights were on •CV axel bolts were zip tied closed Because of these defects, the mechanic told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. These problems were never disclosed to me at the time of sale, and I would not have purchased the vehicle had I known.

NHTSA ID

11684851

Incident

Mar 18, 2025

The timing chain broke and my transmission needs to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11679800

Incident

May 25, 2020

Bad timing chain at 141,000 miles

NHTSA ID

11623077

Incident

Oct 30, 2024

The engine was built with the same components as the 2008/2009 models and they have been recalled, the oil drains out of the engine rapidly and causes engine to seize and had to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11603092

Incident

May 20, 2019

Car was running just fine had its oil changed new tires added and it just stopped running. Got it checked with a car technician and he stated it’s the engine.

NHTSA ID

11580856

Incident

Mar 31, 2024

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS WILL SUDDENLY LOCK, UNLOCK, LOCK AND UNLOCK. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE SLOWS WAY DOWN LOSING POWER, THEN IT WILL BE OKAY TO GIVE IT MORE GAS AND IT SPEEDS UP. THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND STAHLED.

NHTSA ID

11571321

Incident

Dec 30, 2023

When the driver seat is moved the service air bag light comes on. When you move the seat again the light goes off.

NHTSA ID

11565483

Incident

Jan 13, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The contact stated that the ECM warning light had remained illuminated. Additionally, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who discovered water and mold under the carpet and electrical components submerged in the water. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.

NHTSA ID

11552833

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

Mileage

144,000 mi

Timing belt chain

NHTSA ID

11540938

Incident

Aug 26, 2023

Purchased new, dealer twice during warranty kept vehicle for 6 weeks to do recall notice repairs. Now this 2010 has 42,000 miles and the steering is going bad. SB10056459-3388 describes the exact problem. During these two periods that recall repairs were done that should have addressed the problem even though the problem had not surfaced yet. This was a wear condition i was never informed of. It is getting worse now.

NHTSA ID

11528361

Incident

Jun 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed again that the timing chain had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the issue would be escalated. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11502627

Incident

Nov 19, 2022

Mileage

78,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the power steering failed at speeds of 15 mph or less. In addition, the failure occurred while making a turn. The contact stated the vehicle would have to use manual steering in order to operate the vehicle. There were no warning lights. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11479499

Incident

Feb 16, 2022

Mileage

135,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, there was a knocking noise coming from the vehicle prior to starting the engine. After starting the vehicle, the noise became louder. While operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated and a humming noise was present. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who indicated that the transmission gear was faulty. The vehicle was serviced however, the failure persisted. No further information was available. In addition, after refueling the vehicle would not immediately startup. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11465389

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

120,000 mi

I have 2 of these booster seats and both of them the back is no longer locking into the base. It folds as the child is getting into the Seat. It doesn't stay in place even if the child has their car seatbelt on making it dangerous while riding in it as it may fold. I have not had it inspected. I am just wanting to know what you can do to help me. Also, thus won't let me put the correct Manufacturer date of 09/21/2019 in.

NHTSA ID

11440875

Incident

Nov 18, 2021

The power steering has issues when turning it seems to not work. Been have this problem for about a year. I’ve talked to other Buick owners and they have the same problem. I also have electrical issues on the drivers side door panel, where none of the switches work. Just all of a sudden quit.

NHTSA ID

11421755

Incident

May 1, 2020

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT START, I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED IT NEEDED AN ENGINE, THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2008, 2009, 2010 BUICK ENCLAVES, BECAUSE OF THE OIL PUMP DRAINING THE ENGINE OF OIL IT SEIZED THE ENGINE. I CALLED GM AND ASKED WHY THEY HAVEN'T RECALLED THE 2010 ALONG WITH 2008, AND 2009 MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND ISSUE. THEY SAID ITS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BUT THERE IS NO FUTURE DATE IF OR WHEN THE 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE WOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ENGINE- OIL FAILURE! THIS COST OVER $4800 DOLLARS TO GET FIXED, I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP LESS THAN A YEAR PRIOR, VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH DEALER FOR NOT MAKING ME AWARE TO CHECK OIL EVERY FEW DAYS SO THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN. I ALSO JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGE DONE A MONTH BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED!

NHTSA ID

11404466

Incident

May 20, 2019

Mileage

125,000 mi

THE 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE HAS BEEN WELL KEPT. I HAD JUST PURCHASED IT AND ONLY DROVE IT FOR 2 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MILES PER HOUR THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST POWER DOWN TO 40MILES I HAD TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY. ALMOST HIT. THE HOLE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN JUMMPED AND LOCKED UP YOUR MOTOR IT WILL BE 10 THOUSAND TO FIX I DONT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY SO NOW I M PAYING A LOAN ON A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID

11397471

Incident

May 10, 2020

Mileage

135,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN SINGLE DIGIT TEMPS IN ICY ROAD CONDITIONS IN TRAFFIC USING THE BRAKES A LOT MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME IN AND I GOT A SERVICE YOUR TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED CAUSING ME TO NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND DANGEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS. TRACTION CONTROL WILL NOT COME BACK ON AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SO BAD TRAFFIC WAS MOVING 5-10MPH ON HIGHWAY. THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER HAPPENED AS SOON AS I STARTED TURNING RIGHT ON ANOTHER ROAD DUE TO HOW SLICK THE HIGHWAY WAS.

NHTSA ID

11395303

Incident

Feb 8, 2021

Mileage

144,095 mi

THE THROTTLE - POSITION SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND ENGINE STARTED ACTING UP WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11389729

Incident

Jan 23, 2021

JAN. 10 AT 8 AM MY DAUGHTER AND I LEFT SALT LAKE CITY TO DRIVE HOME TO LAS VEGAS. AT 8 AM, EVERYTHING WAS FINE, NO NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE NO CLANKING, NO SMELL. I COULD DO U TURNS AND SHARP TURNS TO PARK THE VEHICLE BEFORE STOPPING TO GET A BAGEL. WE ENTERED THE 15 SOUTH TO HEAD HOME, WE ARE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70-80MPH. AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00AM WE ARE REACHING THE TOWN OF BEAVER, UTAH. I NEEDED TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY TO GAS UP AND WANTED AN ESPRESSO. WE EXIT THE FREEWAY AND AS I START SLOWING I CAN TELL MY POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT, I ALMOST HIT ON COMING TRAFFIC WHILE TURNING TO THE RIGHT WHEN COMING OFF THE EXIT BECAUSE IT WAS SO EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE OTHER DRIVER HAD TO SWERVE IN TO THE DIRT AREA TO AVOID HITTING MY DAUGHTER AND I, FOLLOWED US TO THE GAS STATION AND YELLED AT ME UNTIL HE REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY STEERING.. WE HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ST GEORGE UTAH TO RONS SHELL MECHANIC STATION. RON THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS A BAD PUMP OR RACK (EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF IT GOING BAD). WE PAID OVER 2 GRAND TRYING TO GET IT FIXED AND THERE ARE INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING ISSUES, FINALLY RON GAVE UP AND SAID THATS THE BEST HE CAN DO. AFTER INVESTIGATING I SEE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH 2010 GMC BUICK ENCLAVES. GMC NEEDS TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ALMOST HIT HEAD ON! BECAUSE OF INSTANT POWER STEERING FAILURE WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER!! THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ASAP!!

NHTSA ID

11388601

Incident

Jan 10, 2021

Mileage

110,000 mi

2010 BUICK ENCLAVE WITH 116,164 MILES, JUST OVER 10,00 PER YEAR, ENGINE DEVELOPED A SPUN ROD BEARING AND QUIT WHILE DRIVING. STEERING LOST POWER AND ENGINE STOPPED. I HAD TO PUSH IT BACKWARDS TO GET OUT OF AN INTERSECTION. I HAD JUST STARTED A RIGHT TURN. 22 MONTH EARLIER THE TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED ON THE VEHICLE COSTING $2000 IN REPAIRS. OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 5000 OR LESS MILES AND USED MOBILE 1 SYNTHETIC OIL THE ENTIRE TIME. THIS AND OWNERS OF EARLIER MODEL YEARS REPORT THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM THIS VEHICLE. A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE TWO PROBLEMS WHICH POINTS TO SOME FAILURE IN DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE. VEHICLE IS NOW JUNK.

NHTSA ID

11383198

Incident

Dec 6, 2020

Mileage

116,164 mi

ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON DUE TO ISSUE WITH TIMING CHAIN. MY MECHANIC SAID GM ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND GM OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR MODEL YEAR 2009 BUT NOT 2010 (WHICH IS MY MODEL YEAR). IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR OF THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID

11372985

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

105,000 mi

WHEN SLOWING DOWN, STEERING GETS HARD TO TURN

NHTSA ID

11352348

Incident

Jun 16, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi