2012 Buick Enclave problems and recalls

Owners have filed 132 complaints on the 2012 Buick Enclave, and NHTSA has issued 6 recalls. The most cited component is the Engine (24 complaints).

132
Complaints
6
Recalls
9
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
25
Injuries
128.0
Severity index

Severity index 128.0 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 128.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 5 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 96% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 24 complaints (18.2%)24 18%StructureStructure: 24 complaints (18.2%)24 18%Air BagsAir Bags: 21 complaints (15.9%)21 16%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 19 complaints (14.4%)19 14%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 19 complaints (14.4%)19 14%SteeringSteering: 17 complaints (12.9%)17 13%Power TrainPower Train: 13 complaints (9.8%)13 10%Service BrakesService Brakes: 7 complaints (5.3%)7 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE2418.2%
STRUCTURE2418.2%
AIR BAGS2115.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1914.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1914.4%
STEERING1712.9%
POWER TRAIN139.8%
SERVICE BRAKES75.3%

Complaints filed per year

010192012: 22013: 42014: 102015: 172016: 142017: 72018: 172019: 192020: 102021: 112022: 42023: 32024: 72025: 52026: 2 (partial year)12131415161718191920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20122
20134
201410
201517
201614
20177
201817
201919
202010
202111
20224
20233
20247
20255
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (15 against 25).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V78200007/10/2021AIR BAGS:FRONTALGeneral 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.
21V24600008/04/2021AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERSGeneral 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.
14V26600020/05/2014SEAT BELTSGeneral 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
15V41500030/06/2015STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATEGeneral 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,
14V11800017/03/2014AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWGeneral 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 (SIA
12V15100009/04/2012VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGESGENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA,

Other Buick Enclave model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.