RoadVitals

2016 Buick Enclave Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jul 8, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 140 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Buick Enclave submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 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.

Owner reports naming powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 8, 2026

Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves

NHTSA ID
11749129
Incident
Jun 18, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2022

When stopped on a incline and you step on brake the transmission will go out of gear ,then when you start off you have to hold brake till transmission engages, it is really scary , I have almost rolled back into another car several times . Went back to place we bought the car new , they said it must be a safety feature, it is not ! My wife is scared to even drive , love the car except for this !

NHTSA ID
11482861
Incident
Jul 16, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 2, 2022

My car shutters and shakes when switching gear. My mechanic believes it’s transmission and or torque. My mechanic said he has fixed at least 6 of them recently as well and is very surprised there is no recall

NHTSA ID
11449923
Incident
Feb 2, 2022
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 20, 2020

MY CAR ISN'T LEAKING ANY OIL SO IT IS BURNING IT AND ITS IT'S UNDER WARRANTY STILL BUT THEY WON'T FIX ANYTHING ON IT AND OTHER YEAR AND MAKE MODELS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11321672
Incident
Apr 1, 2020
Mileage
65,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 21, 2018

DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. DECIDE TO GET VEHICLE HOME SO I TURNED AROUND AND FOUND THAT I DID NOT HAVE RESERVE ALSO. ON WAY BACK HOME TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND PARK THE CAR. CALLED TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO THE DEALERS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 23,773 MILES ON IT. DEALER HAD TO OVERHAUL 3-5-R CLUTCH HOUSING.

NHTSA ID
11141649
Incident
Oct 12, 2018
Mileage
23,773 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 15, 2017

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 27,125 MILES. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, WENT TO PROCEED AND HAD NO POWER TO MOVE. ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE. GOT VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND 3-5 REVERSE SNAP RING GROOVE HAD SHEARED OFF AND METAL WENT THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THEY HAD FOUR SIMILAR ISSUES IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

NHTSA ID
11054874
Incident
Dec 11, 2017
Mileage
27,125 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 8, 2016

TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE GEAR DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID
10914858
Incident
Oct 4, 2016
Mileage
8,700 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 12, 2016

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN OUR NEW 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE WHEN I WENT TO PASS SOMEONE ON A CITY STREET AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO FULL ACCELERATION. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD BUT IT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKLY THERE WEREN'T MANY CARS AROUND ME AT THE TIME. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT AWAY AND I NOTIFIED ON STAR SOS AND THEY NOTIFIED THE POLICE. IT WAS TOWED TO A BUICK DEALER WHERE THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT NOW. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ID
10905913
Incident
Sep 11, 2016
Mileage
644 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .