2021 Buick Enclave Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2021 Buick Enclave has 24 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve service brakes and electrical system.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 24 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
SERVICE BRAKES
6 25%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 16.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 12.5%
ENGINE
2 8.3%
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 8.3%
Quick Insights
The top category is SERVICE BRAKES, accounting for 25% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 12 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.
Subscribe to Recall Alerts
Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2021 Buick Enclave.
Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.
What owners keep reporting on the 2021 Buick Enclave
The 2021 Buick Enclave has 24 owner complaints in this dataset. SERVICE BRAKES is the most common complaint category, representing about 25% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2021 Buick Enclave are SERVICE BRAKES (6), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 14 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 2021 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 12 of 12 systems
SERVICE BRAKES
6 Reports25% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHEN I DRIVE MY BUICK ENCLAVE AFTER IT SITS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, IF I APPLY THE BRAKES, I HAVE A LOUD GRINDING TYPE SOUND AND I NOTICE THE NOISE CONTINUES AS I DO MY SHOPPING AND IT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO AWAY. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY (GM) WERE TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE NOISE. ALSO, I WAS TOLD THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS IT WOULD POSE NO SAFETY ISSUES. I FIND IT UNNERVING TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH NOISY BRAKES AND I INQUIRED WHEN GM FINDS A FIX WILL I BE CONTACTED? I WAS TOLD TO CALL BACK PERIODICALLY TO SEE HOW GM HAS DECIDED TO CORRECT THE NOISE PROBLEM. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE ONLY 684 MILES ON THIS BUICK ENCLAVE. I DO FEEL THIS ISSUE IS WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION BY THE NHTSA 05/05/2021
5/5/2021
I have a 2021 Buick Enclave Premium purchased 01.03.2021from Alden Buick-GMC been having problems with my brakes when I apply my brakes I have a brake noise grinding growling noise coming from the brakes. Took vehicle to dealership today 06.01.2021. Was told cause is Composition of brake material, dealers informed by GM not to replace any parts or attempt any repairs at this time. Was informed vehicle is safe to drive and GM engineering is working on a solution to this concern. I am concerned should the brakes not work properly when applied causing an accident. Would like to know if NHTSA is aware of this problem on the 2021 Buick Enclaves and 2021 Cadillac XT5-XT6, 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2021 GMC Acadia? Would like to know if NHTSA feels it is safe to drive?
6/1/2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 Reports17% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The rear switch on our tailgate has failed and it allows the tailgate to open/close randomly on its own while the vehicle is locked even. I contacted Buick about the problem and they said didnât care, but this can happen while the vehicle is moving down the road as well as when parked. Itâs not necessarily a typical safety issue that are normally recalled for, but it does pose significant safety issues if you want your car to be locked and you come back from the store and itâs not and people are free to break it or if it were to happen while moving. We had this happen on our car at around 38,000 miles. From reading other Buick forums to try and figure out what the cause is, it sounds like itâs a somewhat common occurrence. Itâs alarming that it can open while the vehicle is locked.
2/24/2024
Power Liftgate was functioning erratically and now it won't open at all. Currently there is no way to manually open the liftgate or access the rear of the vehicle without climbing through the vehicle to get to the trunk area. Electrical switches on inside, exterior of vehicle nor the keyfob will open the liftgate. Previously the liftgate opened on its own at unintended times and now it has simply quit working. Safety issue was when it was opening while driving. It is not currently doing this since it won't work anymore. Complete Failure happened around 54K miles.
2/24/2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2021 BUICK ENCLAVE AND THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD OR THE WINDOW. SOUNDS LIKE MY WINDOW IS CRACKED. HOWEVER, WHEN I TRY TO LET UP THE WINDOW, THE WINDOW DOESN'T MOVE AND SOUND IS STILL THERE. THE NOISE IS THERE FROM ABOUT 45 MPG AND UP.
3/1/2021
This vehicle has an auto stop start feature that the dealer refuses to override. The problem is that if you are stopped to make a left turn, the engine stops. When you need to go when there is a break in traffic, there is a hesitation to get going just when you need instant power. Also at stop lights or signs you tend to keep tapping the brake to keep it running resulting in a dangerous situation. Also if you are stopped and forget and get out of the car, it can start up and run into something. I just want the ability to disable this dangerous feature.
6/22/2021
ENGINE
2 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
This vehicle has an auto stop start feature that the dealer refuses to override. The problem is that if you are stopped to make a left turn, the engine stops. When you need to go when there is a break in traffic, there is a hesitation to get going just when you need instant power. Also at stop lights or signs you tend to keep tapping the brake to keep it running resulting in a dangerous situation. Also if you are stopped and forget and get out of the car, it can start up and run into something. I just want the ability to disable this dangerous feature.
6/22/2021
When driving my car down the street today, it abruptly stopped in the middle of the street and and engine locked up. I could not shift gears. I could not put my car in neutral. I was literally stuck in the middle of the street with a vehicle that gave me no warning of malfunctioning. This is the 3rd transmission that I have had in this car. It is a 2021 Buick Enclave with just over 12,000 miles.
2/28/2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
The rear switch on our tailgate has failed and it allows the tailgate to open/close randomly on its own while the vehicle is locked even. I contacted Buick about the problem and they said didnât care, but this can happen while the vehicle is moving down the road as well as when parked. Itâs not necessarily a typical safety issue that are normally recalled for, but it does pose significant safety issues if you want your car to be locked and you come back from the store and itâs not and people are free to break it or if it were to happen while moving. We had this happen on our car at around 38,000 miles. From reading other Buick forums to try and figure out what the cause is, it sounds like itâs a somewhat common occurrence. Itâs alarming that it can open while the vehicle is locked.
2/24/2024
Power Liftgate was functioning erratically and now it won't open at all. Currently there is no way to manually open the liftgate or access the rear of the vehicle without climbing through the vehicle to get to the trunk area. Electrical switches on inside, exterior of vehicle nor the keyfob will open the liftgate. Previously the liftgate opened on its own at unintended times and now it has simply quit working. Safety issue was when it was opening while driving. It is not currently doing this since it won't work anymore. Complete Failure happened around 54K miles.
2/24/2025
STEERING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
This car crosses the line before the lane keep assist does anything. The car nearly hit an oncoming car. I asked the Koons Tysons Buick Service rep about it and he said he has heard this from a number of people but noting has been done. It seems like a software patch is necessary to make this safe.
8/28/2021
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
This car crosses the line before the lane keep assist does anything. The car nearly hit an oncoming car. I asked the Koons Tysons Buick Service rep about it and he said he has heard this from a number of people but noting has been done. It seems like a software patch is necessary to make this safe.
8/28/2021
POWER TRAIN
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
AWD has vibration at highway speeds when engaged
9/11/2022
SEAT BELTS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Passenger seat belt doesn't always work. Has to click several times
1/20/2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Catalytic converter was defective in October 2022. Had to wait to get part in. Vehicle taken to dealer for repair in December 2022/ Told that the second catalytic converter needed to be repaired. I stated that I was not aware that cars had two catalytic converters. Parts were ordered and replaced. Engine light came back on-again October 15, 2024. Portable CO detector in car was beeping when engine around time engine light came on. Not covered by warranty or insurance. A new car with 55, 000 miles to date should not have these issues.
10/24/2024
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the door locks intermittently failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the doors had failed to lock and unlock as needed. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred after it had rained. The contact related the failure to the Manufacturer's Communication Number: 10211091. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided a cost for the diagnostic test and repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 62,188.
3/17/2025
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate latch independently unlocked. The contact stated the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled for an inspection and diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 39,700.
5/7/2025
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 2021 Buick Enclave?
Are complaints about the 2021 Buick Enclave a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2021 Buick Enclave?
Are complaints about the 2021 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
- 24
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
We may earn a commission via links on this page.