Is the 2013 Buick ENCLAVE reliable?

The 2013 Buick ENCLAVE has 108 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Buick ENCLAVE?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (13 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (13 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (12 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Buick ENCLAVE?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Buick ENCLAVE?

The 2013 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 2013 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 2013 Buick ENCLAVE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 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.

2013 Buick ENCLAVE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Buick ENCLAVE has 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 108. The most common issue is transmission problems (12% of all complaints), specifically: 04/24/2014 3:56pm our 2013 enclave suddenly went into reduced engine power mode while traveling on the interstate at speeds of 65-70 when suddenly speed was reduced to 35-45mph. my wife almost got rear ended. she contact onstar for diagnostics but they could not see any issue with the vehicle. (not. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 4 crash reports 2 injuries

108

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

13 complaints

12%

• 04/24/2014 3:56PM OUR 2013 ENCLAVE SUDDENLY WENT INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 WHEN SUDDENLY SPEED WAS REDUCED TO 35-45MPH. MY WIFE ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. SHE CONTACT ONSTAR FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. (NOT
• THE CAR WAS AT A LOCAL (SUMMIT,NJ) HARQUILL BROS. FOR A STANDARD OIL CHANGE. WHEN THEY BACKED UP THE CAR TO BRING IT INTO A BAY THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF ITS YOKE TO THE GROUND. THE DAY BEFORE I FOUND A BRACKET AND BOLT IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME AND THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE LANDSCAPERS MOWER.
• THE CAR WAS AT A LOCAL (SUMMIT,NJ) HARQUILL BROS. FOR A STANDARD OIL CHANGE. WHEN THEY BACKED UP THE CAR TO BRING IT INTO A BAY THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF ITS YOKE TO THE GROUND. THE DAY BEFORE I FOUND A BRACKET AND BOLT IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME AND THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE LANDSCAPERS MOWER.

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

“04/24/2014 3:56PM OUR 2013 ENCLAVE SUDDENLY WENT INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 WHEN SUDDENLY SPEED WAS REDUCED TO 35-45MPH. MY WIFE ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. SHE CONTACT ONSTAR FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. (NOT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Buick ENCLAVE

Based on 81 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 63K 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+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 33K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 58K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Earlier than typicalmedian 50K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 43K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 68K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 73K mi · 9 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 (4)

SEAT BELTS20/05/2014

General 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, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Risk: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

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 2013 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 2013 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 2013 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

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 108 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 04/24/2014 3:56PM OUR 2013 ENCLAVE SUDDENLY WENT INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 WHEN SUDDENLY SPEED WAS REDUCED TO 35-45MPH. MY WIFE ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. SHE CONTACT ONSTAR FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. (NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE USED FROM HENNESSEY BUICK DEALERSHIP 9 MONTHS AGO AS CERTIFIED USED CAR. MAY 4 TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 75 NORTH, AT SIXTY FIVE MILES PER HOUR/THE TRANSMISSION GIVE A LOUD BAND SOUND AND THE CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. WITH TRAFFIC TRAVELING BOTH WAYS. THE DRIVE TRAIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WE LEASED A 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE IN DEC. 2012. EVER SINCE WE'VE HAD THE VEHICLE WE HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE ENTERTAINMENT/NAVIGATION CENTER. THE UNIT SHORTS OUT WHEN WE ARE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE, USUALLY WHEN WE ARE GOING BACK AND FORTH TO PARK IN OUR GARAGE. SOMETIMES IT SHUTS DOWN WITH A LOUD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION (AROUND 35-40 MPH) THE STABILITRAK, ABS, A/C, BLIND-SPOT MONITOR SHUTS OFF; SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, BATTERY GAUGE ON DASHBOARD ALL GO DOWN TO ZERO (EVEN WHEN CAR IS MOVING); ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING, BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATOR IS APPLIED. IF ENGINE IS TURNED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)