2010 Buick Enclave Engine Problems

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

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

Timing belt chain

NHTSA ID

11540938

Incident

Aug 26, 2023

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 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

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

NHTSA ID

11389729

Incident

Jan 23, 2021

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

THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT, I WAS STARTING TO GO FROM SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT JUST SHUT ITSELF OFF! I'VE JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND ALREADY IT'S A HUNK OF JUNK. ALSO THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WATER ENTERING THE MOTOR COMPARTMENT IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT'S JUST A BAD DESIGN. THE AC FAN MOTOR LOCATED ABOVE THE PASSENGER FLOOR FILLS WITH WATER AND RUINS THE MOTOR. THE CAR SHUT OFF TODAY BECAUSE OF SHODDY SOLDERING.

NHTSA ID

11339181

Incident

Jul 13, 2020

Mileage

138,462 mi

2010 BUICK ENCLAVE WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH, ENGINE STUTTERED, LOST POWER, AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. PULLED OVER AND ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. TOWED TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN, GEARS BLEW APART, TIMING CHAIN SHOT. FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT COSTING ALMOST $7,000. MILEAGE WAS 178,222. ADDITIONAL ISSUES TO INCLUDE REAR SUSPENSION PARTS, BRAKES, ROTORS, WHEEL BEARINGS (TWICE) DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. REAR LATERAL LINKS BOTH UPPER AND LOWER (TWICE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS). CAR STILL DOES NOT RIDE PROPERLY AFTER SECOND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS AND 4 ALL WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. CAR SWAYS TERRIBLY AND ROCKS ESPECIALLY DURING HIGHER WINDS. VERY HARD TO KEEP ON THE ROAD AND DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11326788

Incident

Jan 24, 2020

Mileage

178,222 mi

I AM WRITING BECAUSE WE PURCHASED A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE IN 2018. IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING I NOTICED ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD TO BE SERVICED TWICE WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS OF HAVING IT. AT THE TIME THE SERVICE DEPT. COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND BLAMED IT ON MY ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHING THE MANUAL SHIFT ON THE SHAFT. I KNEW I WAS NOT DOING THIS. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE CAR DOING THIS WEIRD ACCELERATION AND ALL DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BUT [XXX] KEPT SAYING THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. WELL, I WAS STRANDED BECAUSE IT JUST STOPPED A FEW DAYS AGO AND HAD TO TAKE A 50.00 UBER HOME. I HAVE HAD TO UBER 3 TIMES NOW AND PURCHASED A CODE READER. THE CODE COMES BACK AS A TIMING CHAIN STRETCHED. IT SEEMS WHAT I WAS FEELING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WAS IN FACT THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. I HAVE HAD TO RENT VEHICLES FOR THE LAST 3 DAYS AND WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO MY HOME TOMORROW. SINCE THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION FROM DAY ONE I EXPECT IT TO BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME AND SOME OF THE CHARGES I HAVE ACCUMULATED BE REIMBURSED. THIS IS NOT JUST! I WILL BE LOOKING INTO THE LEMON LAW AND IF IT APPLIES TO ME. I AM HOPING YOUR COMPANY TAKES RESPONSIBILITY. HAD THEY PAID ATTENTION TO WHAT I WAS SAYING AND ALL THEN THIS WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED,. THE STRESS AND ISSUES THIS HAS CAUSED GOES SO MUCH DEEPER THAN THIS THE CODE THAT COMES BACK IS P0008. THE CRANK SHAFT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REVIEWS ON THIS AND WILL CONTINUE TO CARRY THIS ON. FURTHERMORE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE RECENT ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING AS WELL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11326086

Incident

May 24, 2020

Mileage

147,000 mi

WELL WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE VEHICLE DEAD STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS MAY NOT SEEM UNUSUAL, BUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR THE SAME ISSUE, P0008 WHICH IS A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH THE 3.6L VVT ENGINE THAT IS SHARED ACROSS ALL MODELS. MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME AND WERE ABOUT TO BE HIT BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, THE VEHICLE COMING TOWARD THEM WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. THE VEHICLE BLOCKED TRAFFIC FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE DESCRIBED PROBLEM IS A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN, BUT MY RESEARCH HAS ELUDED THAT GM HAS HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE MODELS OVER MULTITUDES OF MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE OFTEN LEADS TO A HEFTY REPAIR BILL UPWARDS OF $3500 OR EVEN MORE. IN MY OPINION WITH MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS VEHICLE OR MODELS THAT SHARE THE SAME ENGINE, THE PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERNS FOR A DEAD STOP WHILE DRIVING. A VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY BE ON ICY, WET, ROAD CONDITIONS AND COULD CAUSE A GREAT DEAL OF MORE INJURIES. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FOR MODEL YEARS FROM 2008 - 2020. THE ENGINE HAS NOT CHANGED. THIS ENGINE IS NOT ONLY SHARED WITH THE BUICK ENCLAVE, BUT THE CHEVY TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, BUICK LACROSSE, AND THE LIST GOES ON. DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE DESIGN ISSUE. I'M GLAD THAT MY FAMILY IS OK. NOW, I HAVE A HEFTY $3500 REPAIR THAT I NEED TO TAKE CARE OF FOR A CAR THAT I STILL OWE MONEY ON. GM NEEDS TO GET IN FRONT OF THIS AND PROVIDE SOME TYPE OF RELIEF FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE. IN 2011 GM RELEASED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 10287 WHICH DIDN'T WORK THEN IN 2012 GM RELEASED A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT (#11340C) EVEN WHEN PROPER OIL CHANGES ARE DONE. PLEASE LOOK INTO

NHTSA ID

11311894

Incident

Dec 18, 2019

Mileage

141,000 mi

TIMING CHAIN FAILED IN AUGUST 2017 AT 87K MILES. OVER $4,000. FAILED AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2020 AT 120K MILES. DEALER ONLY CHARGING $400-500 DUE TO MY INSISTENCE AND MY DESIRE TO GIVE THEM A POOR REVIEW IF THEY DID NOT HONOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11301220

Incident

Jan 17, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. JOHN PAUL'S BUICK GMC (3615 S 108TH ST, GREENFIELD, WI 53228, (414) 482-6246) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5585597823. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,753.

NHTSA ID

11269013

Incident

Aug 20, 2019

Mileage

114,753 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED. STUDEBAKER BUICK GMC (3200 E MAIN ST, RICHMOND, IN 47374, (765) 962-0505) DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BEING STRETCHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2,000 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL BACK WITH THE FINAL ESTIMATE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,800.

NHTSA ID

11245175

Incident

Aug 18, 2019

Mileage

90,800 mi

THE AIR CONDITIONER HOSE WAS MELTED WHERE IT TOUCHES ANOTHER HOSE, THERE WAS AN ACADIA AND A TRAVERSE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED BUICK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, I WAS TOLD ONLY YUKON HAD THE RECALL. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS, THEY ARE BASICALLY THE SAME. THEY KNOW THESE HOSES RUN TOO HOT NOT TO BE SEPARATED OR AT LEAST INSULATED. THE PART COSTS AN INSANE $861 DOLLARS. ALL OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED OR CORRECTED.

NHTSA ID

11223081

Incident

Jun 27, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

TODAY I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, AS I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF WORK TICKING NOISE STARTED AND THEN CAR DIED RIGHT ON A HILL BLOCKING TRAVEL, IT WOULD NOT RESTART, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ENGINE BLOWN DO TO TIMING BELT WEAR...ALL MY OIL WAS SUCKED INTO ENGINE (JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE 2 MTHS AGO) AND BLEW THE MOTOR! THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, MODEL OF BUICK, WHY IS NO ONE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL! I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ENGINE, NOR A NEW CAR, I JUST PURCHASED THIS USED AT HURD BUICK IN RHODE ISLAND 5/2017 EXPLAINED NEEDED DEPENDABLE CAR, I'M A SINGLE PARENT WORKING FULL TIME AND THEY GAVE ME A LEMON KNOWING FULL WELL THE ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MIDEL! NHTSA NEEDS TO MAKE GM ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CONSUMER OF 2010 MODELS LIKE THEY DID WITH THE 2008-2009 MODELS THIS IS SO UNFAIR. I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK...I DON'T KNOW WHAT OR HOW I'M GETTING AROUND NEXT WEEK!

NHTSA ID

11204790

Incident

Apr 30, 2019

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE INITIAL COMPLAINT WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A REPAIR WAS MADE THAT DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WHILE DRIVING AND IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 47,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11183194

Incident

Nov 14, 2018

Mileage

47,190 mi

WHEN DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON THEN I GET A SIGNAL THAT MY ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. THE SPEED DROPS DRASTICALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. INDICATORS SAY SYSTEM STABILIZATION.

NHTSA ID

11172005

Incident

Jan 20, 2019

Mileage

183,671 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ORIGINALLY READ THE CODES AS CYLINDER MISFIRE 1,3,5. TIMING CHAIN INSIDE THE ENGINE IS STRETCHED AND MEANS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AT 145K MILES. VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE.

NHTSA ID

11165741

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

GETS THE ABOUT TIMING CHAIN. A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKS ABOUT HOW TIMING CHAIN GOES OUT. . THINK IF GM HAD A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT THIS ENGINE THEY NEED TO FIX. IF I KNEW THIS I WOULD HAVE NOT BUY IT

NHTSA ID

11145088

Incident

Feb 12, 2017

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON 2010 ENCLAVE WITH 56,601 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11142249

Incident

Oct 22, 2018

Mileage

56,601 mi