Is the 2018 Buick ENCLAVE reliable?

The 2018 Buick ENCLAVE has 92 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Buick ENCLAVE?

Top problems: BRAKES (21 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (15 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (15 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Buick ENCLAVE?

No recalls have been issued for the 2018 Buick ENCLAVE.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Buick ENCLAVE?

The 2018 Buick ENCLAVE gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2018 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 2018 Buick ENCLAVE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Buick ENCLAVE is approximately $1,487/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.

2018 Buick ENCLAVE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Buick ENCLAVE has 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 108. The most common issue is brakes problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: on only the third day after purchasing a buick enclave avenir 2018 i had a safety issue involving the brakes. when applying the brakes a grinding noise with an inability to properly brake and a red service brake assist message appeared on my dash. this has happened from a cold start as well as afte.

5 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

21 complaints

23%

• ON ONLY THE THIRD DAY AFTER PURCHASING A BUICK ENCLAVE AVENIR 2018 I HAD A SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVING THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A GRINDING NOISE WITH AN INABILITY TO PROPERLY BRAKE AND A RED SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED FROM A COLD START AS WELL AS AFTE
• I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED WITH A "BRAKE ASSIST: ALERT AND I COULD FEEL THE ABS BRAKES ENGAGE. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. ONLY HAD 1,200 MILES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. CHECK ENGINE
• I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT & WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I TURNED LEFT & I'M UNCERTAIN IF MY EMERGENCY BRAKES KICKED ON OR IF MY CAR SIMPLY STALLED OUT, BUT MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT MOVE. MY PURSE, IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FLEW FORWARD & HIT THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR

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

“ON ONLY THE THIRD DAY AFTER PURCHASING A BUICK ENCLAVE AVENIR 2018 I HAD A SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVING THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A GRINDING NOISE WITH AN INABILITY TO PROPERLY BRAKE AND A RED SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED FROM A COLD START AS WELL AS AFTE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Buick ENCLAVE

Based on 40 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 24K 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+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 23K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 49K mi · 6 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.

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 2018 Buick ENCLAVE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/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 2018 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

$1,487

Full coverage / month

$124

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-11%

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 age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1487

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 2018 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

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 92 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: ON ONLY THE THIRD DAY AFTER PURCHASING A BUICK ENCLAVE AVENIR 2018 I HAD A SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVING THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A GRINDING NOISE WITH AN INABILITY TO PROPERLY BRAKE AND A RED SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED FROM A COLD START AS WELL AS AFTE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SUSS BUICK GMC DEALER (866-608-5251, 1301 S HAVANA ST, AURORA, CO 80012) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND STATED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, IT STALLED AND HESITATED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC STOP FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CANNON CHEVROLET BUICK CADILLAC (100 N THACKER LOOP, OXFORD, MS 38655, (662) 55
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT & WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I TURNED LEFT & I'M UNCERTAIN IF MY EMERGENCY BRAKES KICKED ON OR IF MY CAR SIMPLY STALLED OUT, BUT MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT MOVE. MY PURSE, IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FLEW FORWARD & HIT THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)