2016 Buick Enclave Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2016 Buick Enclave has 151 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve air bags and engine.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 151 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
AIR BAGS
109 72.2%
ENGINE
7 4.6%
POWER TRAIN
7 4.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7 4.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 3.3%
Quick Insights
The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 72.2% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 15 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Buick Enclave
The 2016 Buick Enclave has 151 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 72% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2016 Buick Enclave are AIR BAGS (109), ENGINE (7), POWER TRAIN (7).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 128 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2016 Buick Enclave?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 15 of 15 systems
AIR BAGS
109 Reports72% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON I-79 IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE WE WERE STRUCK FROM THE REAR WE WERE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE IT KNOCKED THE REAR TIRE COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING IN THE VENTS OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS TIGHTEN UP SO MUCH THAT IT CAUSED BRUISING ON MY CHEST AND RIBS. MY CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BEYOND REPAIR. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UPON OUR RETURN HOME I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM DIAGNOSTIC INDICATING THERE WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS. I AM BEING TOLD THERE IS NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THIS IS CONCERNING TO ME WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE IS REAR ENDED AND THE AIR BAGS FAIL CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
7/28/2018
WE HAVE A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT OUR VEHICLE. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2018. A CAR RAN RIGHT INTO OUR REAR WITHOUT STOPPING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. WE WERE VERY SURPRISED OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. WE SMELLED THE SMOKE USUALLY INVOLVED WITH THE AIRBAGS BEING DEPLOYED BUT NOTHING HAPPENED OTHER THAN A NOTIFICATION TO SERVICE THE AIRBAGS WHICH DID NOT EXIST PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. LUCKILY, WE HAD OUR SEATBELTS ON BUT STILL SUFFERED NECK AND BACK PAIN WHICH WILL BE FURTHER EVALUATED BY A DOCTOR. WE BELIEVE OUR AIRBAGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND ARE GRAVELY UPSET AT THIS OCCURRENCE.
7/28/2018
ENGINE
7 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
1/19/2016
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.
9/12/2016
POWER TRAIN
7 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
9/12/2016
TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE GEAR DOES NOT WORK.
10/8/2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
BROUGHT THE CAR IN EARLIER THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STALLING. THEY TOLD ME IT MAY HAVE BEEN A LOSE CABLE, BUT LIKELY WAS NOTHING. IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN 3 DAYS AGO AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. YESTERDAY IT STALLED AGAIN AND MY WIFE CAME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR. THIS IS A CAR THAT IS 1 YEAR OLD WITH 5.500 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND THE CAR COMPANY IS NOT HELPING ME WITH THIS. HELP!
9/26/2016
COLLISION ALERT SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. MORE TIME NOT THE ALERT WILL NOT GO OFF, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS. APPROACHING A SLOWING VEHICLE IN FRONT AT A MORE RAPID SPEED THE ALERT WILL NOT SIGNAL BEING TO CLOSE.
11/29/2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 Reports3% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
9/12/2016
BROUGHT THE CAR IN EARLIER THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STALLING. THEY TOLD ME IT MAY HAVE BEEN A LOSE CABLE, BUT LIKELY WAS NOTHING. IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN 3 DAYS AGO AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. YESTERDAY IT STALLED AGAIN AND MY WIFE CAME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR. THIS IS A CAR THAT IS 1 YEAR OLD WITH 5.500 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND THE CAR COMPANY IS NOT HELPING ME WITH THIS. HELP!
9/26/2016
STEERING
3 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE - THE HAVE EXCEEDED MY WARRANTY BY APPROXIMATELY BY APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEGUN MAKING SQUEALING SOUND MAINLY WHEN TURNING. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CONFIRMED A LEAK FROM THE POWER STEERING HOSE. HE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PUBLISHED SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE ISSUE. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY OR A RECALL.
5/29/2018
POWER STEERING HAS STARTED FAILING WHEN TURNING, MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. SEEMS WORSE AT SLOW SPEED. HAPPENS WHENEVER AND WHEREVER I TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. WILL DRIVE OKAY WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. MADE APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE. I SUSPECT POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS REPLACED, BUT JUST GUESSING.
10/23/2019
SEAT BELTS
3 Reports2% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON I-79 IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE WE WERE STRUCK FROM THE REAR WE WERE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE IT KNOCKED THE REAR TIRE COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING IN THE VENTS OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS TIGHTEN UP SO MUCH THAT IT CAUSED BRUISING ON MY CHEST AND RIBS. MY CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BEYOND REPAIR. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UPON OUR RETURN HOME I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM DIAGNOSTIC INDICATING THERE WAS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS. I AM BEING TOLD THERE IS NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THIS IS CONCERNING TO ME WHAT IF SOMEONE ELSE IS REAR ENDED AND THE AIR BAGS FAIL CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
7/28/2018
Child became entrapped in 3rd row seatbelt, seatbelt was unable to be released from locked position and it wrapped so tight around the child his airway was cut off, it wouldnât come from around him, and had to be cut off.
9/26/2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
BROUGHT THE CAR IN EARLIER THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STALLING. THEY TOLD ME IT MAY HAVE BEEN A LOSE CABLE, BUT LIKELY WAS NOTHING. IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN 3 DAYS AGO AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. YESTERDAY IT STALLED AGAIN AND MY WIFE CAME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING REAR-ENDED WITH THE KIDS IN THE CAR. THIS IS A CAR THAT IS 1 YEAR OLD WITH 5.500 MILES ON IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AND THE CAR COMPANY IS NOT HELPING ME WITH THIS. HELP!
9/26/2016
MY CAR WAS REPAIRED BY A DEALERSHIP IN TEXAS. FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS A FUEL INJECTOR. THEY REPLACED THAT. THEN THEY SAID THAT THAT DIDN'T WORK SO THEY SAID I HAD A CRACKED HEAD. THEY REPLACED THAT. I BROUGHT IT HOME TO SHREVEPORT, LA. AND IT HAD GAS FUMES COMING OF OF THE A/C VENTS. THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN BOSSIER CITY THAT THEY PUT IN A BROKEN PART. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. I PICKED THE CAR UP AND IT STILL HAD GAS FUMES. I TOOK IT BACK. THEY SMELLED IT. KEPT IT FOR 2 DAYS. THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM SO THE KEPT DRIVING IT AND RUNNING IT UNTIL THEY COULDN'T SMELL IT ANY LONGER. I PICKED IT UP AGAIN AND I STILL SMELL IT. I BROUGHT IT BACK BUT THEY ARE DENYING THAT THEY DO. EVEN LIED TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THEY RODE AROUND WITH ME. I HAD A HORRIBLE HEADACHE WHEN I RETURNED HOME WITH THE CAR. IT'S BEEN PARKED FOR OVER A WEEK. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT SCARED IT WILL CATCH ON FIRE OR MY CHILDREN AND I WILL GET SICK. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE TRIED WORKING WITH GM BUT THEY ARE NO HELP. THEY GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND. THE MECHANICS HAVE ALSO LIED SO MANY TIMES REGARDING MY CAR TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. I NEED SOMEONE IN MY CORNER. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE THE DRIVE MY CAR SINE 5/16/2019. IT WENT TO THE 1ST DEALERSHIP ON 5/18/2019. I DROVE ABOUT A TOTAL OF 1.5 SINCE.
7/4/2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 Reports1% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE LOWEST PART OF THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER DOORS COME TO A VERY SHARP POINT AT THE REAR OF THE DOOR. ON NOV. 11,2017 IN A COSTCO PARKING LOT A GUST OF WIND BLEW THE DOOR CLOSED ON MY LEG CAUSING A DEEP WOUND FROM THE SHARP PENETRATING EDGE OF THE DOOR. COSTCO EMPLOYEES PERFORMED EMERGENCY MEDICAL HELP TO STOP THE MASSIVE BLEEDING. AS OF THIS DATE THE WOUND IS STILL BEING TREATED. (HOSPITAL HAS PICTURES) UPON ASKING THE DOCTOR AND WOUND NURSE IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE THEY HAD SEEN WITH THIS TYPE OF WOUND , I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THEM REPLY THAT I WAS AMONG THOUSANDS. THE CURE FOR PREVENTING THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT IN THE DESIGN OF ANY VEHICLES FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS IS SIMPLE. TWO DOOR CARS AND TRUCKS ARE ROUNDED AT THE LOW TRAILING EDGE POINT. REAR DOORS ON FOUR DOOR CARS AND TRUCKS ARE ROUNDED. IT SHOULD NOT BE A BIG DESIGN OR ENGINEERING PROBLEM TO CURE. I DO NOT HAVE PICS OF MY LEG , THE HOSPITAL DOES. THEY CAN BE GOTTEN IF NEEDED. THE MAIN ISSUE TO ME IS TO ELIMINATE THE RAZOR SHARP LOWER TRAILING EDGE OF THE DOORS ON ALL MODELS AND MAKES OF AUTOS AND TRUCKS. MY VEHICLE STATIONARY IN PARKING LOT . WIND PROVIDED THE ENERGY TO CLOSE THE DOOR ON MY LEG. I WILL ALSO CONTACT MY LEGISLATURE REPRESENTATIVES. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
1/10/2018
CAR IS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE DASH (BY YOUR FEET) AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE DASH (BY YOUR FEET) I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT OFTEN RAINS. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD AND RUST OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN GM VEHICLES. (GOOGLE SEARCH) SO WHY ISN'T GM RECALLING IT? *TR
6/19/2020
WHEELS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH IN OUR NEW 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE WITH ABOUT 319 ODOMETER MILES THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SENSOR CAME ON INDICATING TO ADD AIR. WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS THE TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTER I WAS ABLE TO CROSS LANES TO STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER AAA WAS ABLE TO COME CHANGE THE TIRE WITH THE SMALL SPARE. WE THEN PROCEEDED TO THE BUICK DEALER AND HAD THE TIRE AND WHEEL INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US THE THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR HAD COME OFF THE VALVE STEM CAUSING THE STEM TO COME OUT WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE RAPID TIRE DEFLATION. THIS EVENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES OR DEATH. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY VALVE STEM TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR ISSUES LIKE THIS HAPPENING BEFORE. HOWEVER, IN MY RESEARCH SOME CHRYSLER MODELS APPEAR TO HAVE A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.
4/18/2016
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE GETTING CARGO OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE TAILGATE CLOSED AND LOCKED AND FAILED TO RETRACT AND REOPEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR HAND INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
6/20/2016
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
2016 BUICK ENCLAVE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BASIC ONSTAR SERVICE AND ONSTAR CHANGING THEIR BASIC PLAN. *AS *TR
2/27/2019
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WINDSHIELD CLEANER SWITCH WORKS AT TIMES THEN STOPS. THE OTHER DAY IT STARTED TO RAIN WHEN GOING HOME FROM MY WIFES DOCTOR APPOINTMENT. WE LUCKLY WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER. WIPER SWITCH WORKED 1 TIME SENCE THEN FUSES AND RELAYS GOOD
3/19/2021
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while accelerating, the fourth gear jumped to the fifth gear and was stuck. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission specialist test-drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gear was burnt, and the transmission needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the air bag warning lights, charging system, and radio system malfunctioned. The contact stated that he suspects that the electrical system had malfunctioned however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
10/13/2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
1 Report1% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Buick Enclave on November 25, 2025 from an independent dealer. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the Odometer reading was 102,068. After contacting Endurance Warranty Company, the contact was informed that the Odometer mileage was 193,000. No other agency was contacted regarding the mileage discrepancy.
12/1/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Enclave?
Are complaints about the 2016 Buick Enclave a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Buick Enclave?
Are complaints about the 2016 Buick Enclave severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Buick Enclave: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 151
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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