2012 Buick ENCLAVE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Buick ENCLAVE has 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.2x the segment average of 80. 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.

9 crash reports 23 injuries

174

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

ENGINE

24 complaints

14%

• 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
• FRONT SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. AIR CONDITIONER, EVAPORATOR COMPONENT HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE DIFFERENT OCASIONS..REAR GATE RECALL ,REPLACED LIFT GATES SHOCKS.. MODE VALVE ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT.
• THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED ON MY BUICK ENCLAVE. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM UNDER A RECALL. IT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY TO OTHER OWNERS AS WELL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF IT FAILS WHILE DRIVING IT CAN RESULT IN ACCIDENTS OR INJURY. THE ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE MOVING AND IM

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

21 complaints

12%

• 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
• I HAVE BOUGHT A BUICK ENCLAVE 2012 THE FIX AIR BAG SIGN IS ON ALL THE TIME I WENT TO FIX IT TO THE DEALER BUT STILL IT'S NOT FIXED. *TR
• HELLO, PROBLEM: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ALARMS WITH LESS THAN 5 POUNDS OF WEIGHT ON THE SEAT. FACTS: I OWN A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. I HAD A SERVICE CLINIC APPOINTMENT WITH STERLING MCCALL BUICK AT THE SW FREEWAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT THE SEAT BELT ALARM

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 6 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

20 complaints

11%

• 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
• POWER LIFT GATE STRUTS FAILED. THIS WAS A RECALL ON OTHER 2012 MODELS. I HAD TO PAY $1113.21 FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS LIFTGATE FELL ON MY DAUGHTER. WE CAUGHT IT BUT SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT.
• AIR CONDITION DIRVER SIDE COOL PASSENGER AND BACK WARM. TOOK CAR TO INTEGRITY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP THEY SAID A/C CONDENSER LEAKING FOUND LEAK FROM REAR AUX. CONDENSER.FOLLOWED PIP16_NA-046. REMOVED AND REPLACED REAR A/C CONDENSER AND BLOWER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. CLEANED CASE AS NEEDED,EVAC & RECHARGED SYSTEM

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

19 complaints

11%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO EMIT A CLICKING NOISE WHEN ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE WHERE THE RADIO AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE REP
• HELLO, PROBLEM: FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ALARMS WITH LESS THAN 5 POUNDS OF WEIGHT ON THE SEAT. FACTS: I OWN A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. I HAD A SERVICE CLINIC APPOINTMENT WITH STERLING MCCALL BUICK AT THE SW FREEWAY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT THE SEAT BELT ALARM
• 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

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO EMIT A CLICKING NOISE WHEN ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE WHERE THE RADIO AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE REP”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)