BUICK ENCLAVE · model year

2016 BUICK ENCLAVE

151 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016BUICKENCLAVE carries 151 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 ENCLAVE is air bags with 109 filings, followed by engine (7) and power train (7). 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 4 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 2016 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.

151
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
2016 BUICK ENCLAVE — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

151 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS109
ENGINE7
POWER TRAIN7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
STEERING3
SEAT BELTS3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
WHEELS1
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER1

Recalls (4)

15V60900029/09/2015

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

15V83300011/12/2015

SEATS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

23V33400010/05/2023

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

21V78200007/10/2021

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.

Recent Complaints

20251201ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

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.

Mileage: 193,000

20250822UNKNOWN OR OTHER

We have had spark plugs fixed twice in the past 4 months and they keep faltering. Both mechanics changed them

20250821AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20250813AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20250714AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact called several dealers and was informed that the part was on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20250407AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20250216UNKNOWN OR OTHER

During a rainstorm water is entering the fuse box under the glove box and the carpet and padding underneath is soaking wet on the right front floor.When the fuse case was opened water started to drip out.The engine continues to run with the key off and the only way to stop it is to pull the ignition fuse under the hood. Unfortunately the battery died by morning and I could not get it charged for a few days. Now I have learned how to take the battery cover off which is located in the back of the car and remove the plastic covers under the mat so I can disconnect the battery so it doesn't run down. The rear wiper will not shut off now since this started.I am a 75 yr old widow and wonder how this problem has not been on a recall. It causes a very dangerous situation.I will try to see if I can get it into a Buick dealer this week and pray God it doesn't cost me an arm and leg to repair it. There are service bulletins on this problem and seems to be quite freqent yet I have not received any

20250216ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

During a rainstorm water is entering the fuse box under the glove box and the carpet and padding underneath is soaking wet on the right front floor.When the fuse case was opened water started to drip out.The engine continues to run with the key off and the only way to stop it is to pull the ignition fuse under the hood. Unfortunately the battery died by morning and I could not get it charged for a few days. Now I have learned how to take the battery cover off which is located in the back of the car and remove the plastic covers under the mat so I can disconnect the battery so it doesn't run down. The rear wiper will not shut off now since this started.I am a 75 yr old widow and wonder how this problem has not been on a recall. It causes a very dangerous situation.I will try to see if I can get it into a Buick dealer this week and pray God it doesn't cost me an arm and leg to repair it. There are service bulletins on this problem and seems to be quite freqent yet I have not received any

20250216ENGINE

During a rainstorm water is entering the fuse box under the glove box and the carpet and padding underneath is soaking wet on the right front floor.When the fuse case was opened water started to drip out.The engine continues to run with the key off and the only way to stop it is to pull the ignition fuse under the hood. Unfortunately the battery died by morning and I could not get it charged for a few days. Now I have learned how to take the battery cover off which is located in the back of the car and remove the plastic covers under the mat so I can disconnect the battery so it doesn't run down. The rear wiper will not shut off now since this started.I am a 75 yr old widow and wonder how this problem has not been on a recall. It causes a very dangerous situation.I will try to see if I can get it into a Buick dealer this week and pray God it doesn't cost me an arm and leg to repair it. There are service bulletins on this problem and seems to be quite freqent yet I have not received any

20250212AIR BAGS

My airbags were recalled May 10, 2023 and I have been trying to get them replaced under recall # 23V334 for over a year now and am continously told that the part is on backorder.

20250118AIR BAGS

I am writing to bring to your attention a serious concern regarding General Motors (GM) and the incomplete recall of certain vehicles that pose significant safety risks to consumers. Specifically, I am referring to the recall announced on May 10, 2023, under Manufacturer Recall Number N232404980 and NHTSA Recall Number 23V334, affecting the 2014-2017 model year Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia. According to the recall notice, a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in these vehicles due to a potential manufacturing defect in the front-driver airbag inflator. This defect may lead to inflator rupture during deployment, allowing metal fragments to enter the vehicle interior, which could result in severe injury or death to occupants. The safety risks associated with this defect are alarming, and it is unacceptable that GM has failed to provide a timely remedy for affected consumers. The recall status remains incomplete, leaving many vehicle owners, including myself

20250113AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20241226AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20241223AIR BAGS

Everytime I call the dealership they say there is no fix to this recall that could potentially injure or kill me while driving.

20241107AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20241103AIR BAGS

This recall has been open for over a year with no indication of when the repair will be made. For something like an airbag, this extended time seems unreasonable. Please "encourage" GM to make the repair parts available to its dealerships ASAP.

20241004AIR BAGS

See attached document for complaint.

20240820AIR BAGS

See attached document for complaint.

20240819AIR BAGS

See attached document for complaint.

20240816AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Compare 2016BUICKENCLAVE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE have?
The 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE has 151 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE?
The 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE?
Yes, the 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE?
The most-complained component for the 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE is AIR BAGS with 109 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.