SUV · Gas
Buick Enclave 2008–2017 (1st gen)
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- Take the quiz
- Price
- $39,100–$53,000
- MPG
- 19
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong passenger space
- Strength: Strong capability
- Watch-out: Poor running costs
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
How it scores for you10 scores
A plush, spacious 7-seater with top crash scores, but thirsty running costs, recurring airbag complaints, and aging tech temper the appeal.
Recalled about as often as cars of the same model years; 4 of its 7 recalls were serious. About 2% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -4 points for its wider reputation.
5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 4).
About $3,550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 12% of cars we track.
18.8 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 28% of other SUVs we track.
Large 7-seat 3-row crossover with generous room and 115 cu ft cargo with seats folded. Genuinely roomy interior, a segment strength.
288 hp V6 provides adequate but unremarkable acceleration in a heavy 3-row SUV. Soft suspension tuned for cruising, vague steering, body roll. Comfort-oriented, not engaging.
First-gen Enclave (2008-2017) predates modern infotainment; base models had dated screens, limited driver aids compared to newer rivals. Older platform overall.
Buick's hallmark is a quiet, smooth ride with plush seating. The Enclave is well-known for cushioned comfort and hushed cabin, above segment norms.
Luxury brands like Buick tend to lose value faster than average.
Rated to tow 4,500 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls12 recalls
12 recalls · 6 common complaint areas across 2015–2017
- Airbags — 145 complaints (2017)
- Recall — Airbags: critical fasteners (2017)
- Airbags — 109 complaints (2016)
2017
- RecallAirbags: critical fasteners21V246000
General 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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal; air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module21V782000
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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal: driver side: inflator module23V334000
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.
- Complaint clusterAirbags145 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
We keep getting notifications that our 16 yr/old daughters car has an airbag safety recall with communication on it about how "quick" and "easy" it is to have the airbag recall repaired but it is ALL LIES! We have been waiting almost 1 year and the dealerships still can't get a replacement airbag fr
- Complaint clusterElectrical8 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The door locks independently latched and unlatched. In addition, the traction control error message was di
2016
- RecallVisibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor15V609000
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.
- RecallSeats15V833000
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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal; air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module21V782000
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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal: driver side: inflator module23V334000
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.
- Complaint clusterAirbags109 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
I am seeing that these have been repaired, when in fact it has not been repaired.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain10 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
I purchased this used 2016 Buick Enclave in July 2026. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began repeatedly jerking and hesitating while driving. During occurrences, Traction Control/StabiliTrak warnings appeared and the vehicle experienced loss of power and difficulty accelerating normally. I repo
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We have had spark plugs fixed twice in the past 4 months and they keep faltering. Both mechanics changed them
2015
- RecallTires15V044000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 14, 2015, 2015 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 20, 2015, and 2015 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 16, 2015
- RecallAirbags: critical fasteners21V246000
General 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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal; air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module21V782000
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.
- RecallAirbags: frontal: driver side: inflator module22V246000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- RecallAirbags: frontal: driver side: inflator module23V334000
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.
- Complaint clusterAirbags102 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side air bag unintendedly deployed. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer wa
- Complaint clusterElectrical13 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The entire audio system went out, including the radio, blinkers, lane detection, crash detection, back up indicators, OnStar, anything related to any kind of sound whatsoever to the vehicle does not work. The issue that we have discovered is the wiring harnesses in the doors are filling with water a
- Complaint clusterSteering12 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
While @ highway speed, steering wheel shudders & takes over driving, (@ random times).
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other7 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AIR CONDITIONING JUST STOPPED WORKING. MY 2015 BUICK ENCLAVE JUST TURNED 30,000 MILES. IMAGINE MY SHOCK WHEN I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $1,530.83 TO REPAIR. WARRANTY APPEARS TO BE 3 YEARS -30,000 MILES. I'VE NOTICED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON LINE REGARDING AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS IN THIS MAK
- Complaint clusterCruise control6 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I started my car at a CVS parking lot. When I made a turn, the car was out of control and I couldn't stop or turn the car. My car hit other three cars in the parking lot and finally stopped. The OBD-II code check later indicated a "Engine misfire detected". I once got a recall letter from GM for the
Cost to own$30,000 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$39,100–$53,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$3,550/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
17
Highway MPG
24
Combined MPG
19
Horsepower
288 hp
Doors
4
Length
202.0 in
Width
79.1 in
Height
71.7 in
Wheelbase
118.9 in
Curb weight
4,923 lb
Cargo volume
18.8 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
115.2 cu ft
Towing capacity
4,500 lbs
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