2012 Buick Enclave Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Enclave, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure2415.5%
- Engine2415.5%
- Airbags2113.5%
- Electrical1912.3%
- Steering1711.0%
- Powertrain (other)138.4%
- Fuel system85.2%
- Brakes74.5%
- Driver assistance53.2%
- Visibility42.6%
- Seat belts31.9%
- Suspension31.9%
- Interior & seats21.3%
- Tires & wheels21.3%
- Exterior lighting10.6%
- Heating & air conditioning10.6%
- Other / unspecified10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
While sitting at a traffic light my engine runs rough, then it dies
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Steering wheel airbag warning. Seat belts fraying. The underneath welding for the support bar, potentially the rear axel, came unwelded.
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...
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Transmission needs replacing
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
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND PARK; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE KEPT ROLLING FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BALLAS BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 5715 CENTRAL AVE, TOLEDO, OH 43615, (419) 464-7699) TO BE DIAGNOSED, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *TP *PM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Transmission needs replacing
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
High speed wiper function does not work.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE HEATER HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO HEAT COMING OUT OF THEIR VENTS. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME FROSTED AND FOGGY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS GREATLY DIMINISHED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOUCHER BUICK GMC OF WAUKESHA (1907 E MORELAND BLVD, WAUKESHA, WI 53186) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HVAC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE PART WAS DISCONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Steering wheel airbag warning. Seat belts fraying. The underneath welding for the support bar, potentially the rear axel, came unwelded.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE DRIVER WHO, AS A RESULT, SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT PASSENGER RECLINED ALL THE WAY BACK, PINNING THE REAR PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ *CN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE THE POWER LIFTGATE WAS REACHING ITS FULL POSITION, IT INDEPENDENTLY SLAMMED SHUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RK CHEVROLET (502 N DELSEA DR, VINELAND, NJ 08360, (856) 696-8400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
FRONT SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. AIR CONDITIONER, EVAPORATOR COMPONENT HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE DIFFERENT OCASIONS..REAR GATE RECALL ,REPLACED LIFT GATES SHOCKS.. MODE VALVE ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT 'TRIM' IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART. WE PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT WILL NOT COVER THE FRONT SEAT TRIM BECAUSE ITHEY WON'T. THEY AGREE THAT IT'S NOT A WEAR ITEM LIKE OIL, GAS, BRAKES, OR WIPERS BUT STILL WON'T REPLACE THEM. THE ODD PART IS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE IS WORSE THAN THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUT IT IS USUALLY EMPTY MONDAY-FRIDAY. IF BOTH OF OUR SEAT TRIM ARE DEMOLISHED AND WE GIVE IT NORMAL WEAR, WE CAN'T THE ONLY ONES OUT THERE WITH THIS RIDICULOUS PROBLEM. THEY JUST STARTED FALLING APART ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I PUT A DATE BECAUSE IT WAS REQUIRED FOR SUBMITTING THIS FORM BUT IT WAS MORE OF A PROGRESSIVE BREAKING APART.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS OBSTRUCTED THE VIEW OF THE ROAD FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEAD RESTRAINTS OBSTRUCTED THE VIEW OF THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 350 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MICHELIN TIRES F61010 HAVE SLOW LEAK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR FORTERA HL TIRES, SIZE P255/65R18/109S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FOUR TIRES DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE CHANNEL AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRES AND THE OUTER TREAD. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15T002000 (TIRES); HOWEVER, THE TIRES EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED TO COME ON OR JUST GO OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE SPEEDOMETER, ETC. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, THEY COME ON. IT MAY HAPPEN AT ANY TIME FROM THE TIME THE CAR IS STARTED TO DRIVING SPEEDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT TO FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER STATED AIR CONDITION LINE HAD A SMALL HOLE CAUSED BY IMPROPER INSTALLATION. THE LINE RUBBED AGAINST THE ADJACENT TUBE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE BOUGHT A BUICK ENCLAVE 2012 THE FIX AIR BAG SIGN IS ON ALL THE TIME I WENT TO FIX IT TO THE DEALER BUT STILL IT'S NOT FIXED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .