Is the 2012 Buick ENCLAVE reliable?

The 2012 Buick ENCLAVE has 174 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: BODY/STRUCTURE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Buick ENCLAVE?

Top problems: BODY/STRUCTURE (24 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (24 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Buick ENCLAVE?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, SEAT BELTS, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Buick ENCLAVE?

The 2012 Buick ENCLAVE gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2012 Buick ENCLAVE often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Buick ENCLAVE: low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Buick ENCLAVE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Buick ENCLAVE is approximately $1,368/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Buick ENCLAVE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Buick ENCLAVE has 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 108. The most common issue is body/structure problems (14% of all complaints), specifically: when i exit the vehicle and close the door, the design of the door is so it cuts my leg. i have cut the leg three times in the one year i have owned the vehicle, each time drawing blood through material. the door is designed where the bottom corner protrudes about three inches from the straight e. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

9 crash reports 23 injuries

174

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BODY/STRUCTURE

24 complaints

14%

• WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE AND CLOSE THE DOOR, THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR IS SO IT CUTS MY LEG. I HAVE CUT THE LEG THREE TIMES IN THE ONE YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME DRAWING BLOOD THROUGH MATERIAL. THE DOOR IS DESIGNED WHERE THE BOTTOM CORNER PROTRUDES ABOUT THREE INCHES FROM THE STRAIGHT E
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE) 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 M
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE) 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 M

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE AND CLOSE THE DOOR, THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR IS SO IT CUTS MY LEG. I HAVE CUT THE LEG THREE TIMES IN THE ONE YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME DRAWING BLOOD THROUGH MATERIAL. THE DOOR IS DESIGNED WHERE THE BOTTOM CORNER PROTRUDES ABOUT THREE INCHES FROM THE STRAIGHT E”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Buick ENCLAVE

Based on 125 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 76K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 57K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 56K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 66K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 36K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 76K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 75K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL07/10/2021

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.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Buick ENCLAVE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Buick ENCLAVE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,368

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk0.90x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1368

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Buick New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Buick. If you're buying a used 2012 ENCLAVE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Buick dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 174 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE AND CLOSE THE DOOR, THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR IS SO IT CUTS MY LEG. I HAVE CUT THE LEG THREE TIMES IN THE ONE YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, EACH TIME DRAWING BLOOD THROUGH MATERIAL. THE DOOR IS DESIGNED WHERE THE BOTTOM CORNER PROTRUDES ABOUT THREE INCHES FROM THE STRAIGHT E
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY CAR HAS HAD TO BE TOWED TWICE DUE TO FAILURE TO START. IT WILL CRANK THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND WILL NOT CRANK ANYMORE. HAS BEEN AT SHOP TWO TIMES EACH TIME A WEEK WITH NO ANSWER TO WHY. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND ARM. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJUR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: GM HAD RECALL ON POWER LIFT GATE WERE STRUTS WERE FAILING AND FALLING DOWN ON PEOPLE DECEMBER 2015 THEY DIDN'T REPLACE STRUTS(SAID THEY WERE GOOD)AND JUST REPOSITIONED THEM(BAND AID FIX)MY WIFE WAS HIT WITH LIFT GATE IN THE BACK(LIFTGATE CAME CRASHING DOWN).I TOOK IT TO DEALER FOR THEM TO FIX.I WAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)