2013 Buick Enclave

Routine

Owners filed 69 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
54,000 milesMedian miles at failure

50 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System11
011
Power Train10
000
Air Bags9
302
Electronic Stability Control (esc)8
000
Unknown or Other5
000
Steering5
000
Engine5
000
Exterior Lighting4
000
Seat Belts3
000
Wheels2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module21V782000
Filed Oct 7, 2021555 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

Air Bags › Critical Fasteners21V246000
Filed Apr 8, 2021108 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Risk. Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

Seat Belts14V266000
Filed May 20, 20141,339,355 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Risk. If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy. General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

Air Bags › Side/Window14V118000
Filed Mar 17, 20141,176,407 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Risk. Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 27, 20262,000 milesAL

The contact owned a 2013 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and attempting to make a right turn around a curve, the driver-side curtain airbag deployed unexpectedly and struck the contact's left temple, causing the contact to lose consciousness. While unconscious, the contact's foot remained depressed on the accelerator pedal, causing the vehicle to crash into a ditch, at which point the front passenger-side and rear driver-side and passenger-side airbags also deployed. Medical attention was required. The contact sustained an injury to the left temple, head pain, and pain extending from the left side of the neck into the shoulder blade. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to Burleson Towing Service and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 16, 2026NC

No first gear. Engine stalls if car is brought to a halt. On take off, car will stall if given too much throttle. If able to roll from dead stop, it will jerk and hesitate as if in too high of gear or dragging clutch.

Steering
Filed Feb 9, 2026IL

Steering wheel is so stiff it over works my arms and shoulder muscles burn it hard to turn literally feels as if the wheels is kind of bumping the frame 5 days steering wheel started to make a weird noise that is now persistent and sounds like a rubbing rubber sound and I have been getting electric shock every time I’m getting out the car and go to close the door since this started making a static like electric sound in the dash over my steering wheel they all at the same time on the same day February 4,2026 scared my car might catch fire

Air Bags
Filed Aug 21, 2024109,000 milesTX

The contact owns a 2013 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2024VA

Check engine light illuminated due to transmission clutch not being adequate in manufacturing. Transmission causes motor to shudder due to clutches slipping. Whether in automatic or manual, when accelerating in low RPM, the entire car begins to shudder instead of downshifting. Transmission has been replaced twice, with no corrections. Happens every time the car is driven.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 10, 2024AR

You will just be driving down the road and then get the check engine light, engine power reduced, traction control off, and service stabilitrak warning on the dash board. You can be going 60 and it will just shut down with no warning. It's been to the shop 3 times and the issue is still unresolved. This is highly dangerous and could cause an accident

Power Train
Filed Nov 27, 2023LA

This vehicle should have a recall on the transmission upon review the recall numbers NHTSA Recall ID: 14V092000 and NHTSA Recall ID: 09V073000 are not showing up in the system as recalls on the 2013 model. I purchased this vehicle used from a private owner. In April of 2023 the transmission went out without any warning a major expense not to mention the trauma from being stranded on the highway. The repair at that time was not under a recall even though several other Buick Enclaves failed at the same time. Present November 2023 upon returning home from a road trip the vehicle showed the inability to shirt failed to shift into the proper gear NHTSA Recall ID: 14V092000 . Vehicle was towed to a local shop for diagnosis this is very irritating and upon calling was told that recall did not apply to my vehicle. PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY NOT !

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 24, 202363,000 milesIN

I originally did front end collision repairs on this GM vehicle and I had to originally replace the front passenger seatbelt. I went through 3 apparent good used ones for replacement and all of them have had their fair share of difference from acting up. One of them seemed to work but every now and then the airbag light would come on due to seatbelt. Replaced it with another and frequently the airbag light would come off and on than the last one installed. The 3rd replacement seems to work but airbag light would come on again, not as frequent and would only shut off if seatbelt is pulled and retracted purposely by hand. I am not seeing a short or a wire problem but the seatbelt is not working properly and I believe GM has failed to produce quality front passenger seatbelts. Even all three of the seatbelt would not fully retract on their own without pushing it in by hand.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 3, 2023LA

Ac issue causing it hot to be in vehicle in this hot drought we are in. Ac blows hot indicating that there is a leak in the system of Freon. This needs to be fixed as I was researching I found many others complaint of the same year 2013 Buick enclave having the same issue. In the south it is too hot and not safe for anyone to be in a vehicle with out a working ac and costly to find issues to fix the entirety of the ac in a vehicle to fix. Please help!

Power Train
Filed Nov 7, 2022MI

My 2013 Buick Enclave transmission needed to be rebuilt after only 140,000 miles. While my cars transmission was being repaired there were 5 other Buick Enclaves being rebuilt as well. The internet shows that it is the number 1 car issue in Buick Enclaves. There needs to be some kind of recall for this issue. There is no reason that a transmission should be rebuilt on so many Enclaves.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 7, 2022IN

Engine stalled multiple times while driving. Fuse box under hood loose and threw a code P1682. Only threw code once. No other warnings. Engine just cuts off with power til to dash and other dash components.

Engine
Filed May 26, 2022KY

Vehicle has been to GM dealership many times for problems related to reduced engine power, stabilitrack, and traction control issues. Dealer replaced relay switches, problem appeared to be fixed. While driving on a busy road, engine power reduced, stabilitrack, and traction control warnings illuminated. Car reduced speed nearly causing an accident while driving and power steering failed. Police needed to help remove car from roadway. ECM replaced, appeared fixed for awhile. While driving on Highway 54, same warnings illuminated and car slowed itself from 60mph to under 30mph. Numerous complaints can be found about the 2013 Buick Enclave and other years and this problem. I believe it will cause an accident and kill someone one day, if it hasn't already. Class action suit was even filed, and unfortunately dismissed. I'm afraid to drive my car. It is at the dealership AGAIN and we've only owned it since February 2022.

Steering
Filed May 26, 2022PA

Hard to turn steering wheel when braking, parking, and completely stopped. No leaks and fluid is full.

Steering
Filed Oct 19, 2021IN

Brake seemed as if it had a sound when purchased but dealership said it was inspected. I now find that it leaks fluid and I spent over $600 to replace the pump. Now as the dealership was diagnosing and repairing a separate issue they've notified me that there is a failed steering rack. The power steering rack repair is estimated to be $2,000. As this is a definite safety issue I am reporting in hopes of Buick assisting with this known failure. Invoice to be uploaded when repair is completed.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 27, 2021167,000 milesOH

AFTER ANY AMOUNT OF RAIN, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT OFF AFTER TURNING THE KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVING THE KEYS. THE VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS ALL GO OFF WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT". THE VEHICLE REMAINS RUNNING. I HAVE TO PULL A FUSE TO GET IT TO SHUT OFF. THEN, THE NEXT MORNING I HAVE TO JUMP IT TO GET IT TO START.

Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2021CA

TRANSMISSION SHUDDER 2 ND GEAR MAYBE BAD WAVE PLATE DUV IS IN MOTION TO NOTICE SHUDDER AT 20 TO 30 MPH CAR IS 94.000 MILES

Engine
Filed Jan 27, 2021126,700 milesFL

AT 77,136 MILES, ENGINE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. CAR TOWED, RADIATOR REPLACED. AT 126,700 MILES, WHILE IDLING, CAR OVERHEATED. DRIVER PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF ENGINE X 30 MINUTES. DROVE 1.5 MI WHEN CAR BEGAN SPUTTERING, BEEPING, AND SMOKING. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. REQUIRED NEW RADIATOR, WATER PUMP AND ENGINE BLOCK.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 13, 2021OH

AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE LIFTS UP JUST FINE AND AS YOUR PUTTING STUFF IN THE HATCH IT COLLAPSES ON TOP OF YOU

Air Bags
Filed May 18, 2020MO

IT KEEPS HAPPENING. THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE YEAR. NO SERVICE CODE TO REPAIR!!! TO FIX WE KEEP DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND RECONNECTING WHY IS THIS A RECALL ON SOME MODELS AND NOT ON OTHERS. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 22, 202029,515 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ALPINE BUICK GMC 8120 W TUFTS AVE, DENVER, CO 80123 TO HAVE THE LIGHT TURNED OFF HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ONE DAY WHILE REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THERE WAS NOT A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AT THE SAME DEALER BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT WAS HEARD EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,515.

20 of 69 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2008
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20262100Routine
202537000Routine
20247000Routine
202320000Routine
202213100Routine
202125200Routine
202057600Routine
201942110Routine
201864000Routine
2017179300Routine
2016141400Routine
2015171500Routine
2014292730Above average
2013 — this page69410Routine
2012132600Routine
2011212630Above average
2010275610Above average
2009220860Above average
20085366100Above average

Compare every Enclave year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 7, 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.