The Buick Enclave is a midsize SUV with seven seats and a sleek design. It’s a great model for family road trips or the daily commute. However, just like any other vehicle on the market, this versatile SUV does have its weak points. Based on reports from consumers, here are the most common Buick Enclave problems that you should be aware of.

What is the most common problem with Buick Enclave?

The top complaint among Buick Enclave owners is transmission problems. It’s usually noticed when the car begins to shake or clunk while increasing speed or switching gears. According to Car Complaints, Enclave owners report this issue around 91,000 miles.

In 2008 models, most complaints regarding transmission problems occur. After that year, Buick made some changes. It became less of an issue in 2009 and newer models, though it is still reported as an occasional problem. 

Repairs to the transmission can be serious and expensive, so it’s essential to have the vehicle checked at the first sign of an issue. Some transmission problems can be fixed with a simple repair, but other issues will need to have the whole transmission replaced, which can be rather expensive. According to Car Complaints, the average transmission problem with the BuickEnclave costs the owner $3,500. 

What years did the Buick Enclave have timing chain issues?

Another common problem with the Enclave is a stretched timing chain. An essential part of every internal combustion engine, the timing chain is stretched around the camshaft and the crankshaft and regulates the turning. This ensures that the engine’s valves open and close at the appropriate time. When the timing chain becomes stretched, it can no longer perform this function successfully, which can lead to costly repairs. 

All timing chains will eventually wear and need replacing, typically between 150,000 and 200,000 miles. However, consumers have reported a stretched timing chain as early as 40,000 miles with the Enclave. When the timing becomes thrown off because of a stretched timing chain, a check engine light should appear on the dash once the sensors realize the problem. Other signs to watch out for include a rattling or vibration sound when the engine is running, the engine misfiring, or metal shavings found in the oil.

According to Repair Pal, the average price to repair a stretched timing chain is between $1,703 and $2,051. Although it may just need a new chain slipped into place, the repair cost can be rather expensive because of the serious labor required to reach the chain, including taking out the engine or transmission. If a stretched timing chain caused further damage to the engine, this could substantially increase the repair cost as well. 

Is the Buick Enclave a reliable car?

Intermittent power steering failure is another common problem with the Buick Enclave. Luckily, this one is easy to notice and diagnose because the steering wheel will become hard to turn while driving. Earlier Enclave models seem to have the most power steering problems, with the 2009 through 2011 models having the highest number of reported complaints. The average repair cost for power steering problems with the Enclave is $1,700, and it occurs about 79,000 miles into the car’s lifespan. 

The Enclave’s most common and serious problems seem to occur mainly with the older models. 2008 was the first year Buick made the Enclave, so it makes sense that it is the model with the most reported problems. As Buick learned what to improve, the later models became better-quality vehicles. If you’re in the market for an Enclave, 2012 and newer, seem to be the best bet for the most reliable models.