Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Buick Enclave submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 36 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 36, in the owner's own words
While driving at 60 mph around a curve with an incoming semi, the car suddenly lost power and the steering locked up. By the grace of God, we were able to avoid the semi and get it off the road. Had it towed to mechanic who said the engine was blown. Regular maintenance always kept. Just had oil changed two weeks ago. This could have been deadly!!!
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 $125.00 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 $125.00. 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.
The check engine light comes on and off. The dealer pulled code P0008. Engine position system performance bank. There is a bulletin out for this code, indicating the crankshaft moves and gets out of time. They said the only fix is to replace the crankshaft. The dealer advised replacing the engine, since the cost is about the same, $9,864.21. I have kept up the maintenance on the vehicle, and it has only 132,820 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,825.
CODES P0017 AND P0008 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CRANKSHAFT POSITION KEEPS COMING ON DRIVING AND PARKED RUNNING. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 65 MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN L LOSS ALL ENGINE POWER. I COULD BARELY STEER THE SUV OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALMOST GOT HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER DRIVER. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE MOTOR SEIZED UP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. JOHNNY LONDOFF CHEVROLET (1375 DUNN RD, FLORISSANT, MO 63031, (314) 227-1437) WAS CONTACTED AND SCHEDULED A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT FOR DECEMBER 5, 2019. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,054.
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.
MY REGULARLY SERVICED 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE WITH APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES ON IT BEGAN OVERHEATING LAST SUMMER TO THE POINT WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE THE RADIATOR FAN KEPT RUNNING. MY SERVICING BUSINESS WAS CONTINUALLY ADDING THE RECOMMENDED RADIATOR COOLANT IN AMOUNTS THAT TOTALED 3.7 GAL. BETWEEN MID JUNE, '18 TO SEPT '19. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THE RADIATOR HOLDS 14.2 QTS OF COOLANT WHICH IS 3.5 GAL. SO IT LOST OVER ITS TOTAL CAPACITY. IT DID THE SAME OVERHEATING WITH THE RADIATOR FAN RUNNING AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THIS PAST SUMMER. THERE IS A RECALL 13091 ON THIS ISSUE OF A LEAKY WATER PUMP FOR 2008-2010 BUICK ENCLAVES AS WELL AS SIMILAR YEARS FOR TRAVERSES, ACADIAS, AND OUTLOOK ON HFV6 ENGINES (LY7,LLT) I WAS TOLD THAT GM DID NOT CHANGE THE FAULTY WATER PUMP UNTIL 2013 ON THE BUICK ENCLAVES. THE CAR SHOWED NO ERROR MESSAGE OF OVERHEATING OR LOW COOLANT ON THE DISPLAY PANEL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE WATER PUMPS GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING IT COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO BLOW WITH A POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE, UNSAFE FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCGUIRE BUICK GMC (1625 US-46, LITTLE FALLS, NJ 07424, (973) 200-6609) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAS ROUGH ACCELERATION AND DEACCELERATION, WHEN IDEALING SOMETIMES WILL RATTLE, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, INCREASED GAS USE
DRIVING ON HWY AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AND SUDDEN ENGINE REDUCE POWER AND STABILITY TRACK LIGHT ARE ON. CAN DRIVE CAR MORE THAN 30 MILES PER HOUR NOW. AND OCCASIONALLY A BACK FIRE.
HELLO - I AM WRITING AS A CONCERNED CONSUMER. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. TWO WEEKS AGO, WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE CAR THEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL. WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE INABILITY TO RESTART THE ENGINE IT BECAME A DANGEROUS SITUATION TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE WAS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THIS REPAIR REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. RESEARCH INTO BUICK HAS SHOWN THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS VERY ISSUE BUT ONLY FOR THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. MY 2011 WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2010. FOR THIS VERY ISSUE, BUICK HAS EXTENDED THE MANUFACTURES WARRANTY TO 120K OR 7YRS. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS TIMING CHAIN ISSUE IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THE 2009 AS OWNERS OF OTHER MODEL YEARS ARE EXPRESSING THE SAME CONCERNS. I AM WRITING TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT, AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT BUICK REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE FAILURE OF THIS TIMING CHAIN LEAD TO A SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A WRECK AND POSSIBLE INJURY. I HAVE CONTACTED BUICK SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR THE REPAIRS AND REFUSE TO INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER. THEIR RESPONSE IS SIMPLY, THERE IS NO BULLETIN SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR ME.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE VEHICLE JERK BACK HARD AND I LOSS POWER AND STABILIZE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AND COULD DRIVE NO MORE THAN 20 MILE AN HOUR. IT GOTTEN WORST THAT MY TRUCK IS JERKING AND SHAKING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOTSPEICH AUTOMOTIVE (150 NW US 50 WEST, WARRENSBURG, MO 64093, (660) 747-9165) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS METAL INSIDE THE OIL, AND THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUGHT FIRE, OVERCHARGED BATTERY, EXPLODED BATTERY
CYLINDER MISFIRING FOR MOST ENCLAVES 2, 5 6 . I HAVE AN 09 AND 2011 AND THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME MISFIRING ISSUES AND L SEE IT WAS ONCE FIXED IN 08 BUT NOW ITS THE SAME ISSUE 2018
CAR RPM IS INCREASING AND LOWERING DURING DRIVING LIKE THE TRANMISSIO. IS PREPARING TO CHANGE GEARS CAUSING CAR TO LOSE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING SCARING ME DURING DRIVING. CAR IS IN MOTION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE SPEED DECREASED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE BLOCK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (PALMEN BUICK IN KENOSHA, WI) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT. THE VIN WAS CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. *TT *TR
VEHICLE AT 108,000, GM DEALER STATES NEEDS NEW ENGINE FOR $6,800. STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE ON ACCELERATION AND WOULD DISAPPEAR ONCE SPEED LEVELED OFF. ONLY OCCURRED 1-2 DAYS PRIOR TO HAVING IT LOOKED AT WITH MINIMAL DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHANGE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT TIMING CHAIN WAS REPAIRED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. REAR LIFTGATE FAILED. AFTER NEGOTIATIONS WITH GM LIFTGATE WAS REPAIRED AS PER PRIOR RECALL. THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. UPDATED 9/7/18*JB
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
CAR SPUTTERED WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED OR PULLING OFF FROM STANDING STILL AND LOST POWER AND THEN STOPPED COMPLETELY. COULD NOT TURN WHEEL. TRACTION OFF - STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON. TOWED TO DEALER - DEALER THOUGHT THEY REPAIRED. NEXT DAY SAME THING HAPPENED BUT NO DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. TOWED AGAIN TO DEALER - NOW IT NEEDS ENGINE HARNESS AND GM PART IS ON BACK ORDER WITH NO DATE FOR RELEASE IN FUTURE. CANNOT GET PART ANYWHERE. CANNOT DRIVE CAR.
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 70 MPH, VEHICLE RPMS JUMPED UPWARD THEN ENGINE SHUTDOWN, HAVING TO DRIFT OUT OF 70 MPH TRAFFIC ONTO SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY. REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM TOWING COMPANY, COULD NOT JUMP VEHICLE TO START. DEALER STATED THAT TIMING CHAINS HAD JUMP OR HAS SLACK AND SET OFF SEVERAL DTC'S PREVENTING A NO START!
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN THE PAST MONTH MY CAR LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ON CITY STREETS WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE ENGINE. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO MY BUICK DEALER AFTER THE 2ND OCCURRENCE AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN LAST WEEK I NOTICED THAT RIGHT BEFORE I LOST POWER THE SMALL WALLET THAT IS PART OF MY KEY CHAIN HAD FALLEN FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL (WHERE I KEEP IT SO IT DOESN'T HIT MY LEG). THINKING IT MAY HAVE JERKED THE IGNITION SLIGHTLY AND THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PART OF THE POWER ISSUE, I GOOGLED "BUICK ENCLAVE IGNITION ISSUES" WHEN I RETURNED HOME. IMMEDIATELY ALL OF THE GM IGNITION PROBLEMS OF THE PAST FEW YEARS CAME UP; INCLUDING THE FRIGHTENING NEWS THAT MY CAR HAD THE EXACT SAME IGNITION AS THE RECALLED CARS BUT THAT GM BELIEVED SOMETHING ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE ENCLAVE (AND OTHER SUVS IN ITS CLASS) MEANT THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS, INDEED, A PROBLEM. I BROUGHT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY AND THEY AGAIN CAN "FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT." I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND LET THEM KNOW I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE IGNITION IS REPLACED. NO ONE SHOULD BE DRIVING THIS CAR. I SHUDDER TO THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY USUAL CARPOOL OF 5 12-YEAR-OLD BOYS. INDEED, TWICE WHEN I LOST POWER I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY CHILD. I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THAT EVERYONE WHO OWNS ONE OF THESE CARS MUST BE ALERTED TO THE POSSIBILTIY OF POWER LOSS.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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