RoadVitals

2019 Buick Enclave

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
45
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Oct 29, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Buick Enclave, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 770 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Oct 29, 2020
194,105 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number N202313440View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 30, 2026

While operating the vehicle under normal driving conditions and without any collision, accident, or road hazard impact, a catastrophic structural failure occurred in the front left suspension assembly. Upon accelerating from a complete stop at a traffic light, the front left suspension suffered a catastrophic structural collapse. The left front tire violently jammed backward into the wheel well, instantly slamming the vehicle to a violent, immediate stop and leaving it entirely immobilized in the roadway. This occurred without warning and presented a severe safety hazard. The vehicle had to be flatbed-towed. It is at an authorized GM dealership, where a technician confirmed a completely snapped tie rods inner and outer, along with a broken axle, control arm, stabilizer links, and bushings. The vehicle is scheduled to be inspected by insurance company. I have filed a case with GM/Buick Corporate as well. This vehicle model year is subject to separate GM safety recalls for lower control arm weld separation (Recall 19V312) and unseated ball joints (N192211320) that cause identical structural separation. While this specific VIN is currently tracked just outside those active batches, the component failed identically to the manufacturing defects described.

NHTSA ID
11774771
Incident
Oct 25, 2026
Filed Oct 12, 2026

The front sunroof shattered spontaneously while I was driving down a 4-lane highway at about 63 MPH. It sounded like an explosion or loud gunshot. I was not near any other vehicles or under any trees. Temperature outside was about 75 and I did not have on the AC at the time. Fortunately the shade was drawn so I was not showered in glass.

NHTSA ID
11770505
Incident
Oct 11, 2026
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 11, 2026

alternator failed approximately 2½ years earlier, and the alternator and battery were replaced. another alternator and battery installed the following year. * A pulley bolt broke while I was driving and was replaced. * I subsequently had problems with the serpentine belt squealing and producing a burning-rubber smell, and the belt was replaced. (Or so I thought.) The burning didnt go away, neither did the belt squealing. After the belt installation, the battery light came on. correcting the belt restored charging to approximately 13.9 volts. Despite that, an intermittent squeak or squeal when taking off continued. Next, A static-like sound from the radio with the Dashboard lights becoming extremely bright. And car stopping in the middle of the road. A really horrible burning-rubber smell. I turned the car off and then tried to start it again, and the symptoms then returning to normal. But the battery was running very low voltage. 11-12v. Everything went back to normal the next day. No check engine light had come on. A check-engine light and intermittent codes did appeare and disappear every so often. codes P0113, P00F4, P2229, and P0430 , and an EVAP-line issue at another time. All would cut back off. Then came the final issue. The transmission “banging into gear” or making a hard thunk when engaging.Also transmission-fluid leakage and occasional shuddering. The check-engine light was off during these later symptoms. Through my research, all of these issues were related to a particular transmission issue through the electrical system. The faulty electrical has caused many issues leading to this transmission issue. That have put me and my children in dangerous situations in the middle of the road multiple times.

NHTSA ID
11770409
Incident
Sep 21, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 9, 2026

The problematic 9 speed transmission failed at 72,000 miles on [XXX]. GM required a flush due to the significant shudder problems in the transmissions. This was performed on this vehicle at 32,000 miles. GM knows the is issues. The car brought to Gerald Jones GM in Graniteville, SC and GM/Buick customer service was contacted 5/22/26 and after. The transmission failed when traveling on busy highway in Aiken, SC on [XXX]. The money spent for these cars with failed transmission design/construction and the safety risk to all traffic must be addressed by NHTSA. GM customer is horrific in there determination to cover up this colossal issue and safety risk. No one holds them accountable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11755753
Incident
Jun 27, 2026
Filed Jul 23, 2026

Formal Complaint – 2019 Buick Enclave Rear A/C Evaporator Failure I am filing a safety complaint regarding repeated refrigerant leaks and rear A/C evaporator failure on my 2019 Buick Enclave. My vehicle has 72,000 miles and has experienced two A/C system failures within 60 days. The first Freon leak was repaired under a GM special warranty. Only two months later, the system failed again, and the dealership diagnosed a rear evaporator core leak requiring a $3,000 repair. This is not normal wear. GM has documented this defect in bulletins PIT5335, PIT5335A, and 16‑NA‑046, which describe rear evaporator corrosion caused by blower‑motor copper brush dust contaminating the evaporator. My vehicle is experiencing the same failure pattern. This defect presents safety concerns including: • Loss of cooling in high‑heat conditions, affecting driver alertness • Moisture or fogging that can impair windshield visibility • Air‑quality risks from refrigerant leaks and potential mold • System failure during highway travel, impacting driver comfort and concentration The rapid recurrence of the failure after a GM‑covered repair indicates a systemic defect, not a maintenance issue. GM refuses to cover the second repair despite acknowledging the defect in its own bulletins. I have owned four new GM vehicles since 1998, including two I kept for ten years each, with no A/C failures. This repeated defect is financially burdensome and potentially hazardous. I request NHTSA investigate rear A/C evaporator failures in Buick Enclave models, determine whether a safety recall is warranted, and review whether GM’s special warranty coverage should be expanded to address repeat failures.

NHTSA ID
11752440
Incident
May 7, 2026
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 20, 2026

2019 Buick Enclave (GM) w/ 29481 miles, consistently serviced and in excellent working order. In city traffic about 45-50MPH, no warning lights until total electrical/power failure - no power, no steering, no electrical/lights. Car is owned by [XXX] mother-in-law ([XXX]). Her daughter ([XXX]) was driving. Had [XXX] been driving, there would have been a wreck. [XXX] was able to coast into a corner gas station/garage. Buy next day mechanic was able to isolate failure to alternator. Since we performed the repair at the closest mechanic, I do not know what GM knows. I see on internet a high volume of alternator failures in Enclaves. It doesn't seem an alternator failure should be so abrupt, without warning and with such dire immediate impact. GM has said they 'may' have been able to help with the cost of the repair if we had had it done at an authorized service center. Frankly, this feels like a trap (and Nissan did exactly this to me 2 years ago - asking me to tow into their service center and then saying 'oops, sorry, no warranty ... ). GM should buy their failed alternator back and study why it failed and why that failure had this impact to the vehicle. The repair was made with a GM part - honestly, not sure if that's good or bad, but there is no excuse for GM to not own their part failure. No one other than the mechanic has inspected the car. He would probably be glad to speak to NHTSA. No prior warning lights, messages, symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11751653
Incident
Jun 30, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 4, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at 30 to 40 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was hard to shift. The TPMS was illuminated. The contact indicated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (Power Train). The local dealer was contacted, who informed about the diagnostic fees. The contact called another local dealer, Starling Buick GMC Stuart Parts, and Starling Buick GMC Stuart Service, at 2445 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL 34994, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center, which confirmed the failure was due to the torque converter. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there was no recall or warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID
11742026
Incident
Jun 4, 2025
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Apr 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving in traffic at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The horn and wipers turned on unexpectedly. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was inoperable and the vehicle jerked. The doors failed to unlock, and the air conditioner was inoperable on a hot day, and the contact had symptoms of hyperventilation. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll up or down. Eventually, the vehicle failed to turn off, and the owner disconnected the battery. A towing company was called to tow the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ID
11730218
Incident
Apr 9, 2026
Mileage
72,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIC5650N

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3

PIT5698F

This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.

PIP4902W

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP4902V

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Enclave by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026311—
2025390148.6
2024701—
2023220043.1
2022141051.3
2021262047.9
2020616062.6
2019Viewing451047.7
2018660047.0
20171793052.0
20161424052.0
20151715049.8
20142927261.0
2013714262.9
20121336263.2
20112136262.1
20102756254.7
20092208358.3
20085366154.4

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.