2012 Buick Enclave Owner Complaints

While driving, the vehicle suddenly and without warning experienced a severe, dangerous loss of acceleration. The dashboard immediately displayed a "Reduced Engine Power" warning message along with a "Service StabiliTrak" light, forcing the vehicle into an immediate electronic fail-safe "limp mode." This sudden, drastic reduction in engine power severely restricts the vehicle's ability to maintain safe roadway speeds, accelerate from a stop, or merge safely into traffic, posing an immediate rear-end collision hazard to myself and other motorists. Furthermore, the defect simultaneously disables critical active safety systems by shutting down the StabiliTrak and Traction Control networks. A diagnostic scan revealed code P2138 (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensors 1-2 Correlation Not Plausible). Investigation reveals that this is a widespread, systemic safety defect caused by design flaws in the vehicle's body. Rainwater and moisture from clogged factory sunroof drains or cowl seams leak directly down into the interior cabin wall, pooling into the primary instrument panel-to-body wiring harness block (X218 connector) in the driver's side footwell. This water intrusion causes green corrosion on the delicate pins, short-circuiting the 5-volt reference sensor circuit for the throttle controls while the vehicle is in motion. General Motors is fully aware of this exact defect and has documented it internally via Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #10-00-89-017H (and related GM TSBs). Because this defect causes unexpected, immediate engine failure and disables traction safety networks while driving, it constitutes a severe safety hazard that should be escalated to a mandatory safety recall.

NHTSA ID

11738309

Incident

May 16, 2026

While sitting at a traffic light my engine runs rough, then it dies

NHTSA ID

11727724

Incident

Mar 11, 2026

Transmission needs replacing

NHTSA ID

11675512

Incident

May 27, 2025

Fuel pump, throttle body, and High pressure fuel pump. Car makes door lock noises and’s completely cuts off while driving over 20 times now on highway and all. Have gotten several things repaired in addition to these listed things and after repairing car works fine for a few months then needing to be replaced again. No codes are being given other then abs, traction control warning and stabilitrak

NHTSA ID

11657657

Incident

Feb 24, 2025

Steering wheel airbag warning. Seat belts fraying. The underneath welding for the support bar, potentially the rear axel, came unwelded.

NHTSA ID

11647163

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and hesitated while attempting to accelerate and depressing the accelerator pedal. During the failure, the check engine warning light momentarily illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally, while opening the rear liftgate door, there was a clicking sound coming from the driver's side rear liftgate door strut. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE). The failure mileage was 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11645043

Incident

Mar 2, 2023

Mileage

118,000 mi

The tailgate lifts up and then slams down violently

NHTSA ID

11636230

Incident

Dec 18, 2024

My car has shut off multiple times , electrical shorts, intermittent no start, intermittent misfires all the time but randomly , injector codes even when replaced and injectors are good , yes come check out my vehicle no shops can find out what's the problem practically the whole front end has been replaced and problems still happening it is congruent with a recall but shows nothing from vin

NHTSA ID

11633316

Incident

Oct 31, 2024

When pulling onto a county road with traffic the transmission kept slipping and the engine would rev higher. It took a lot longer to get up to speed and the cars behind me had to brake quickly.

NHTSA ID

11614684

Incident

Sep 15, 2022

Driving along and engine power reduced causing car to slow significantly - like downshifting two gears. Lights / traction control lights came on dash. Errors flashed - "Traction Control Off", "Service Stabilitrak", "Engine Power Reduced" All of this not only caused a slight bit of confusion, but placed us in danger with the flow of traffic. A repair shop replaced the gas pedal, however issue persists. Research indicates the throttle body sensor might be at fault - so we replaced this. Issue persisted, so I spent time online and found a GM TSB indicating a known issue and extending the warranty 10 years or 120K miles for P2138 Code. At this point, this issue persists intermittently, so we do not consider the vehicle safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11600412

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lunged forward while accelerating. The failure was more persistent at speeds of 40 MPH and lower. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right there was a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle had been taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.

NHTSA ID

11584396

Incident

Mar 22, 2024

Mileage

83,000 mi

What does it mean when my car says service StabiliTrak and service traction control? Its main function is indicating that the traction system has been turned off manually to remind you to turn it back on when necessary. However, the StabiliTrak warning light may also signal potential damage to vehicle components that allow the system to work effectively. Loss of Power to Engine, Can't stear, feels like its about to blow up. It seems very usual for the Enclaves, Traverses and Acadias. And I had the same problem out of my 2014 Traverse LTZ

NHTSA ID

11570693

Incident

Feb 7, 2024

If any warning light comes on such as my add air to a tire (it always tells me the wrong tire), all of the warning lights start flashing. Things shut off (radio, dash lights, backup camera) and sometimes the car will shut completely down and come back on. I am afraid to drive very far.

NHTSA ID

11565700

Incident

Jan 16, 2024

I purchased this vehicle (used)on 01/12/2021. 5 weeks later the brakes pedal went to the floor. It has done this randomly several times. Usually I can get the car stopped, put it in park and pump the brake pedal a few times and the pedal will be back to normal.When this happens it's usually at a low speed and I can get the car stopped but it takes a while. I have attempted to talk to Gen. Motors at Detroit seeking information as to how can I repair this problem. I got no help from Detroit. My local Buick shop manager tells me it could be any number of things. Maybe a sensor or something in the brake system or a vaccuum problem. I need to know what to do to fix this problem before I get into a wreck.

NHTSA ID

11563044

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

PURCHASED CAR USED FROM CAR DEALER. DEALER STATES HIS MECHANIC INSPECTED VEHICLE. I DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH NO ISSUES. LESS THAN 48 HRS LATER, SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IGNITION TURNED ON WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. LIGHT COMES ON, GOES OFF AND REPEATS THIS...

NHTSA ID

11554703

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

The hatch door slam down by its self and it hit my daughter and my husband two different times because it slam down with no warning .

NHTSA ID

11543617

Incident

Jul 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that after pressing the liftgate button to the open the rear liftgate, the liftgate door opened before suddenly falling downward and closing. During the incident the liftgate door had made contact with the owners head. The contact sustained bruised head which did not require medical treatment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000(Structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 105,000.

NHTSA ID

11526006

Incident

Jun 7, 2023

Mileage

105,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving uphill and while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle was jerking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired after the dealer made a contract for the repair; however, the failure recurred, and the contact stated that the vehicle was jerking while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was then taken to two independent mechanics, who retrieved failure codes from the wheel speed sensor. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. After filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, the contact was advised to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

NHTSA ID

11495371

Incident

Feb 23, 2022

Mileage

128,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while placing groceries into his vehicle, an abnormal noise began to emit from the rear liftgate. As the contact moved out of the way, the liftgate slammed down independently without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000 (Structure) which he linked to the failure. The contact called the manufacturer and he was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was then referred to a dealer for assistance. The dealer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11468393

Incident

Jun 3, 2022

Mileage

100,000 mi

I was in a accident and the air bag hurt me very bad driver side tooth gone tissue want go down what can I do

NHTSA ID

11458778

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving in a parking lot at approximately 5 mph and making a right turn, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle revved up and accelerated to about 20 mph while the brake pedal as depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle ran into a building wall as the engine continued revving. The contact shut the engine down and put the vehicle into park. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact was injured with a slight cut on the ring finger on his left hand. The contact did not seek medical attention for the cut on his finger. The police were called and wrote an accident report. The contact had the vehicle towed to a tow lot first and then to a body shop. The contact did not have the local dealer diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11452819

Incident

Feb 14, 2022

Mileage

160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side causing severe damage to the vehicle. During the crash, the passenger-side curtain air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained neck, back, and shoulder inquiries. The front passenger sustained head neck and back injuries. The second-row driver-side passenger suffered a head injury. The second-row passenger-side occupant suffered a head and neck and arm injury. The service dog located in the 3rd row was also injured during the crash. Medical attention was sought a couple of days after the incident. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was not towed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000

NHTSA ID

11440500

Incident

Apr 4, 2021

Mileage

132,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he would hear loud abnormal rattling and ticking sounds coming from the corner between the front passenger’s side and the windshield. There were no warnings lights were illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

NHTSA ID

11439890

Incident

Nov 3, 2021

Mileage

129,000 mi

Loss of power steering when brakes applied. This is dangerous to make turns and park the vehicle. Buick has already issued at least one NHTSA service bulletin regarding this issue, in which the power steering pump failure causes intermittent drops of hydraulic pressure that will cause reduced or loss of steering assist

NHTSA ID

11433949

Incident

Jun 2, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact managed to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway and attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston rods failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic for a second diagnostic test which confirmed the result from the dealer. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 140,000

NHTSA ID

11429565

Incident

Aug 3, 2021

Mileage

140,000 mi