Total Complaints
290 filings
BUICK ENCLAVE · model year
290 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009BUICKENCLAVE carries 290 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 8 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 ENCLAVE is steering with 107 filings, followed by engine (35) and power train (33). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2009 ENCLAVE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
290 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 107 |
| ENGINE | 35 |
| POWER TRAIN | 33 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 20 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 10 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 8 |
| AIR BAGS | 8 |
| SUSPENSION | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 5 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 3 |
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 2
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
GM IS RECALLING 16,667 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.' THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IN THE SECOND
SEAT BELTS
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 Satu
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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
SEAT BELTS
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED F
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUT
Every time I turn right my car turns off. I am able to restart after. Iâve taken it to several mechanic's and no one seems to know the issue. Iâve had my battery change circuits change a tune up and my gas filter changed and the car still doesnât work.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact purchased the vehicle from a local used car dealer in April 2025. The contact stated that the odometer and the bill of sales indicated that the mileage was 133,000. The contact stated that while registering the vehicle with Carshield, the contact was informed that the mileage was reported in January 2025 at 163,000. The dealer was made aware of the issue.
Mileage: 163,000
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear tailgate unintentionally opened. The contact stated that once the failure had occurred, the contact closed the rear tailgate, and the rear tailgate was inoperable and failed to open. No warning lights were illuminated; however, the message "Gate Lifted" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact researched and was made aware of an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while reversing at 5 MPH, the steering wheel seized and was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering wheel sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
Mileage: 179,000
The seat caught on fire. Origin of fire started in the seat according to fire officials.
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the rear driverâs side and center seat belt failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but no failure could be determined. could not be determined. The contact then stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter failed to operate in drive(D). The contact stated that the shifter was stuck in drive (Low). As a result, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, the contact stated that on multiple occasions, the instrument panel digital display failed to illuminate, and the contact was unable to state whether there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the instrument panel light bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. T
Mileage: 150,000
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the rear driverâs side and center seat belt failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but no failure could be determined. could not be determined. The contact then stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter failed to operate in drive(D). The contact stated that the shifter was stuck in drive (Low). As a result, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, the contact stated that on multiple occasions, the instrument panel digital display failed to illuminate, and the contact was unable to state whether there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the instrument panel light bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. T
Mileage: 150,000
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the rear driverâs side and center seat belt failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but no failure could be determined. could not be determined. The contact then stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter failed to operate in drive(D). The contact stated that the shifter was stuck in drive (Low). As a result, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, the contact stated that on multiple occasions, the instrument panel digital display failed to illuminate, and the contact was unable to state whether there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the instrument panel light bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. T
Mileage: 150,000
My 2009 Buick Enclave CXL, VIN 5GAEV23D79J118427: Engine caught on fire during the time i was driving it. The car hesitated as if it was going to shut off then i saw smoke coming from underneath the front hood, I pulled to the side of the road and stopped the car and open the front hood, my engine was on fire. The fire was located on the passenger side of the car or the left side of the car if you were facing the front of the car. I tried to put the fire out, but the fire got out of control. I called 911 and the fire Department and Police arrived. My car was being repair due to the fire.
While driving 65 mph on the hwy, in rush hour traffic my entire steering column came completely out and I lost control of my vehicle causing a 3 car wreck. The only indicator that something was wrong was that just prior to this happening the tilt on my steering wheel came undone 2 times and by the 3rd time when I pushed the wheel back up to lock it into place it came out entirely. There was no lights, no nothing. No tampering of any kind had ever been done to it whatsoever. And no one has looked at it since. It still falls randomly while driving. I have a picture taken about 5 minutes before this happened and one taken after the accident I will upload.
Having problems with the power steering, was a recall but was informed recall has expired. I didnât purchase the vehicle until 2016, steering wheel is really tight, and going to cost thousands to fix, If this is a problem GM knew about they should at least be willing in some type of assistance to correct it.
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated upon pressing the liftgate power button to open the liftgate, the liftgate partially opened and rapidly closed on her. The contact's husband who was standing nearby, held the liftgate manually until she was able to remove herself out of the path of the liftgate. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring and she had to manually open and hold the liftgate open. The contact stated that the software update for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit was previously completed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000 (Structure) which she associated to the failure. The local dealer was contacted and an appointment was scheduled for repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the recall had been closed. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Mileage: 42,000
I attempted to put my seatbelt on the cable that attaches the seatbelt to the vehicle broke. If this had failed during an accident, my seatbelt would have failed. I have contacted GMC regarding the issue. They advised me that there was an extended warranty for this item but it has since expired on my vehicle. They are not willing to fix even though it is a big safety concern.
MY WIFE TOOK A TRIP TO SPRINGFIELD ILL. FROM PARIS MO. ON 5/5/21 SHE DROVE APPOX 50 MILES TOWARD SPRINGFIELD ON I72 E.HER TACHOMETER STARTED SHOOTING UP ABOUT 5-6 THOUSAND RPM AT 70MPH .HOT TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON.I TOLD HER TO STOP AN LET IT COOL.THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND SHE PUT IT IN GEAR ONLY TO FIND SHE ONLY HAD LOW GEAR.WE TOOK IT TO S & K BUICK IN SPRINGFIELD ILL. WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED IT . THE WAVE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD EXPLODED.WHEN WE EXPLAINED THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES THEY OR GM WOULD DO NOTHING FOR US.WE FIND THAT RIDICULOUS.THEY ONLY USED THAT TRANSMISSION FOR 2 YEARS AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED USING IT.WE HAVE READ OF MANY OF THESE WITH THE SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET SITES. KNOW THEY WANT US TO PAY NEARLY $5000.00 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION.ONCE AGAIN THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 52,000 ORIGINAL MILES IS GARAGE KEPT AND IS PAMPERED .THIS IN OUR MIND SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THEY SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBITY IN THIS ISSUE AT GENERAL MOTORS.ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.A
Mileage: 52,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT THE RESIDENCE, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENS AUTO REPAIR (23 E ORVIS ST, MASSENA, NY 13662, (315) 514-1282) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE RESULT WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE REPAIR WAS STARTED BUT NOT YET COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,769. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 112,769
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED AT THE RESIDENCE, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENS AUTO REPAIR (23 E ORVIS ST, MASSENA, NY 13662, (315) 514-1282) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE RESULT WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE REPAIR WAS STARTED BUT NOT YET COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,769. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 112,769
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PLACING THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE REVERTED TO NEUTRAL WITH THE CIRCUIT RELAY WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V073000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE TIMING CHANGE IS LEAKING IT WAS FIXED BACK IN 2019 IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN A YEAR NOW SINCE I HAD IT AND IT'S LEAKING AGAIN I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I NOTICED A SMELL LIKE OIL BURNING AND WHEN I PARK THE VEHICLE IT STARTED LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE TIMEING CHANGE IS HOUSED
Mileage: 119,280
TRANSMISSION-PUSH ON GAS BUT WOULDN'T MOVE, JUST REVVED UP, WAS PARKED AND TRIED TO LEAVE AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE SO ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LESS THAN 75,000 MILE ON IT. POWER STEERING PUMP-WOULD GO TO TURN WHEEL AND WOULD TAKE BOTH HANDS TO TURN IT BECAUSE IT WAS THAT TIGHT. MOTOR MOUNT FOR STABILITRAK NEEDED REPLACED. WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND IT WOULD BE WOBBLY AND LIGHT WOULD COME ON THAT STABILITRAK/TRACTION CONTROL NEEDED FIXED. HAVE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND PUT LESS THAN 1,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY HAD 74,000 WHEN I GOT IT. REGRET PURCHASE AND NOW FEEL UNSAFE IN MY OWN CAR.
Mileage: 74,321
TRANSMISSION-PUSH ON GAS BUT WOULDN'T MOVE, JUST REVVED UP, WAS PARKED AND TRIED TO LEAVE AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE SO ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LESS THAN 75,000 MILE ON IT. POWER STEERING PUMP-WOULD GO TO TURN WHEEL AND WOULD TAKE BOTH HANDS TO TURN IT BECAUSE IT WAS THAT TIGHT. MOTOR MOUNT FOR STABILITRAK NEEDED REPLACED. WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND IT WOULD BE WOBBLY AND LIGHT WOULD COME ON THAT STABILITRAK/TRACTION CONTROL NEEDED FIXED. HAVE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND PUT LESS THAN 1,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY HAD 74,000 WHEN I GOT IT. REGRET PURCHASE AND NOW FEEL UNSAFE IN MY OWN CAR.
Mileage: 74,321
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.