"Transmission Hot Idle Engine" Warning

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: Buying the first model year of any vehicle is rarely a good idea. You become a guinea pig for the automaker and they are really not nice to guinea pigs.

The 2008 Enclave has a wide enough range of problems to issue a warning. There's transmission failure under 90k miles, new power steering units costing over $1,300, and enough engine complaints to NHTSA to scare anyone away.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
157,400 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
2008 Buick Enclave accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2008 Buick Enclave Owner Comments

problem #2

Aug 022016

Enclave CXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Welcome me to the club, I started with the transmission warning to idle the engine. I took it to a local Buick dealership to have it checked. They could not find the problem. I called Buick/GM to check on my warranty. Well big shocker no warranty. I since have taken my vehicle to another dealership and they did find a problem. Well they need authorization (another word for $$) so they can open up the trans and find the problem. I called Buick again to see if they would provide some sort of assistance since they know about the problem. Of course they could not help. I spoke to 2 "senior service advisors" with no results. I asked to speak to someone higher; they said they were the highest. As of today, my vehicle sits at the dealership awaiting $$$. I am angry with Buick because they refuse to help their customers-by the way, I was offered a discount on an new Buick as an option-really??? It doesn't end there, I received a follow-up call from Buick...Why??? they refused to help with an issue that they know exists. Buick/GM recall it or get sued!!!

- Michael R., Laredo, TX, US

problem #1

Jun 232016

Enclave CLX 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,758 miles

Hello, I just bought my Buick Enclave last week. I had a Chevy HHR which averaged 28 mpg, and the Enclave said it would get 24 mpg, so I thought it was a good trade with minimal sacrifice on mpg.. When I traded in the HHR I had 277,000 miles on it. I bought it in 2012 with 200,000 miles on it. My Enclave has 179,000 miles on it and I am hoping to drive it for a long time. Today after a short trip to the store, I was in there for about 45 minutes, luckily only a mile from home. I started up the car and it says "Transmission Hot Idle Engine". I had only just started the car! I had a history report done and it says there is a Special Coverage (#14404) for transmission problems. I am contacting the dealer to see if they can help and if it is a complimentary fix with a free loaner. ...Crossing my fingers... But I see entries here where other Enclave owner had to pay $4,000 for the repair. Yikes!

- jleonardmi, Holly, MI, US

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