Is the 2016 Buick ENCLAVE reliable?

The 2016 Buick ENCLAVE has 152 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Buick ENCLAVE?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (110 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (8 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Buick ENCLAVE?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEATS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Buick ENCLAVE?

The 2016 Buick ENCLAVE gets 17 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2824. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2016 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 2016 Buick ENCLAVE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 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.

2016 Buick ENCLAVE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Buick ENCLAVE has 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 108. The most common issue is air bags problems (72% of all complaints), specifically: we were involved in a motor vehicle accident on i-79 in pennsylvania where we were struck from the rear we were stopped in traffic the impact was severe it knocked the rear tire completely off. there was smoke coming in the vents of the front of the car and the air bags did not deploy. the front pas. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 8 injuries

152

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

110 complaints

72%

• WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON I-79 IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE WE WERE STRUCK FROM THE REAR WE WERE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE IT KNOCKED THE REAR TIRE COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING IN THE VENTS OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PAS
• WE HAVE A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT OUR VEHICLE. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2018. A CAR RAN RIGHT INTO OUR REAR WITHOUT STOPPING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. WE WERE VERY SURPRISED OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. WE SMELLED THE SMOKE USUALLY INVOLVED WITH THE AIRBAGS BEING D
• 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE HAD A SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT/MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD CONTINUOUSLY. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST & THE ISSUE IS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN MOVES THE WIRING HARNESS THE LIGHT COMES & GOES. ADDITIONA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON I-79 IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE WE WERE STRUCK FROM THE REAR WE WERE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE IT KNOCKED THE REAR TIRE COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING IN THE VENTS OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PAS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Buick ENCLAVE

Based on 36 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 48K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 58K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 51K mi · 5 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)

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 2016 Buick ENCLAVE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,824

Per month

$235

Per mile

23.5¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/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 2016 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 2016 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~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 152 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: WE WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON I-79 IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE WE WERE STRUCK FROM THE REAR WE WERE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE IT KNOCKED THE REAR TIRE COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING IN THE VENTS OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY IN OUR NEW 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE WHEN I WENT TO PASS SOMEONE ON A CITY STREET AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO FULL ACCELERATION. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD BUT IT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND COAST TO THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: BROUGHT THE CAR IN EARLIER THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STALLING. THEY TOLD ME IT MAY HAVE BEEN A LOSE CABLE, BUT LIKELY WAS NOTHING. IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS THE CAR HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN 3 DAYS AGO AND THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE F
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)