Is the 2021 Buick ENCLAVE reliable?

The 2021 Buick ENCLAVE has 30 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Buick ENCLAVE?

Top problems: BRAKES (6 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (6 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Buick ENCLAVE?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): AIR BAGS:SENSOR:FRONTAL IMPACT, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN. Contact any Buick dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Buick ENCLAVE?

The 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Buick ENCLAVE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Buick ENCLAVE is approximately $1,561/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.

2021 Buick ENCLAVE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Buick ENCLAVE has 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 108. The most common issue is brakes problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: when i drive my buick enclave after it sits for any length of time, if i apply the brakes, i have a loud grinding type sound and i notice the noise continues as i do my shopping and it does not always go away. i took this vehicle to the buick dealership and i was told that general motors is aware o. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

6 complaints

20%

• WHEN I DRIVE MY BUICK ENCLAVE AFTER IT SITS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, IF I APPLY THE BRAKES, I HAVE A LOUD GRINDING TYPE SOUND AND I NOTICE THE NOISE CONTINUES AS I DO MY SHOPPING AND IT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO AWAY. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE O
• I have a 2021 Buick Enclave Premium purchased 01.03.2021from Alden Buick-GMC been having problems with my brakes when I apply my brakes I have a brake noise grinding growling noise coming from the brakes. Took vehicle to dealership today 06.01.2021. Was told cause is Composition of brake material, d
• when applying the brakes it sounds lile metal on metal

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

“WHEN I DRIVE MY BUICK ENCLAVE AFTER IT SITS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, IF I APPLY THE BRAKES, I HAVE A LOUD GRINDING TYPE SOUND AND I NOTICE THE NOISE CONTINUES AS I DO MY SHOPPING AND IT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO AWAY. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE O”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:FRONTAL IMPACT24/06/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.

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 2021 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 2021 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

$1,561

Full coverage / month

$130

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-7%

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 age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1561

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 2021 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

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 30 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: WHEN I DRIVE MY BUICK ENCLAVE AFTER IT SITS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, IF I APPLY THE BRAKES, I HAVE A LOUD GRINDING TYPE SOUND AND I NOTICE THE NOISE CONTINUES AS I DO MY SHOPPING AND IT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO AWAY. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: The rear switch on our tailgate has failed and it allows the tailgate to open/close randomly on its own while the vehicle is locked even. I contacted Buick about the problem and they said didn’t care, but this can happen while the vehicle is moving down the road as well as when parked. It’s not nece
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2021 BUICK ENCLAVE AND THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD OR THE WINDOW. SOUNDS LIKE MY WINDOW IS CRACKED. HOWEVER, WHEN I TRY TO LET UP THE WINDOW, THE WINDOW DOESN'T MOVE AND SOUND IS STILL THERE. THE NOISE IS THERE FROM ABOUT 45 MPG AND UP.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: The rear switch on our tailgate has failed and it allows the tailgate to open/close randomly on its own while the vehicle is locked even. I contacted Buick about the problem and they said didn’t care, but this can happen while the vehicle is moving down the road as well as when parked. It’s not nece
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Buick dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)