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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,106 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Buick Enclave brakes problems

brakes problem

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2008 Buick Enclave Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Jul 072019

Enclave

  • 194,675 miles

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

2008 intermittently and unexpectedly shuts off while driving. No matter the speed. Sometimes 30mph on the street, sometimes 70mph on the expressway. Sometimes it starts right back up, sometimes it doesnt. No one seems to know why. Cars cost too much to be playing guess the problem!! take to dealer at $100. A visit for them to guess and ultimately not fix the problem. Because a week later the vehicle is doing the exact same thing you took it in for. I just wish someone new what the real problem was. Very disappointed in GM. This vehicle has had so many problems, but it's supposed to be low end luxury. It's dangerous and I guess people have to start dying and a class action lawsuit against GM will happen before anything is done.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #21

Aug 232019

Enclave

  • 170,000 miles
While driving 60 mph on the interstate in bumper to bumper traffic, my car went into limp mode. Rpms were high and I had to pull over from the fast lane with tractor-trailers driving around me after researching the issue, it seems this has been seen in alot of cars. This is a dangerous defect that needs to be resolved. I hope no one dies to make the manufacturer resolve this issue. The mechanic said this was a known issue with this vehicle. Recommended a transmission replacement. In fact, there were two other Buick/GM cars with the same issue waiting to be worked on. The codes were P0776, P0796 and P0700.

- Scott Depot, WV, USA

problem #20

Aug 012019

Enclave

  • 180,000 miles
I have had continuous problems over the last year with the stabilitrack system going off and it telling me to service stabilitrack. However, now my transmission is going out and I have a car that I owe way too much for and can't afford to get the transmission fixed. On top of the transmission my ignition only works part of the time. There is no point in replacing the ignition if the transmission is gone. I have already replaced the motor on the windshield wipers but apparently the previous owner had the motor replaced during the recall so I had to pay out of pocket for that. Not to mention spending over $200 just to get my headlight bulb replaced at a shop because its not simple enough to just take the cover off and replace the bulb. This car has been nothing but a money pit. The transmission has been acting a little strange like occasionally not wanting to shift one day and then being fine the next. The other day I was driving and it wouldn't shift, rev"D up to 4000 RPM and wouldn't go over 40 mph. I'm at the point where I can not afford to continue to pay full coverage insurance plus my car payment on a car I cannot drive.

- Red Lodge, MT, USA

problem #19

Jun 012019

Enclave

  • 220,000 miles

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

The car was spitting D sputter and overheating on the main hightway... engine light started flashing a D it showed misfires on cylinders 2,4,6.... the problem is on going and has had my 2 year old and myself sitting on the side of the road in 110 degree heat index waiting on a tow truck!. we were driving straight down the main highway. Then the accelerator would be floored but the vehicle wouldnt move at all. Thus I couldnt cross the last main highway to get home. It said service stabiltract/ traction control, with wngine light flashing... still isnt fixed

- Rockville, IN, USA

problem #18

May 142019

Enclave

  • 200,000 miles
We where driving the other day, lost all power to dash cluster. Found water in fuses under glove box on passenger side. Dried out and got power back; but not ABS light is on and if it goes off we lose all brakes. The traction control and stabilitrak say service and we lost our back up camera as well.

- Port Byron, NY, USA

problem #17

Mar 022019

Enclave

  • 165,000 miles
Light flash by them selves truck door lifts by it self serviceability track and traction control lights are on and now won't accelerate, and power steering pump is also a issue. When ever lights and hatch open alone the park is parked and cut off

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #16

Oct 062018

Enclave

  • 98,900 miles

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

Vehicle was purchased used in 2010. First had problem while sitting still at a red light. Alarm bell rings stating stabilitrak traction contorl service, power door locks and unlock, speedometer moves out of control. When we try to drive power is slow and engine pulls hard, check engine light comes on. We took it to dealer and they kept it for a couple of days but could find nothing wrong. This happens every 3 to 4 months sometimes longer. When vehicle is turned off it seems to reset itself. This seems to be a GM problem as I have looked online and found several other vehicles all having the same problem with there never being a fix for it. This always happens when sitting still with foot on break at redlights in the city. [xxx]. these are just a couple of sites where people have stated the same problem all GM vehicles. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #15

Sep 222018

Enclave

  • 173,000 miles
I bought this vehicle July of 2017 probably about 6 months driving my radio makes a loud static noise and then no sound not even blinker sounds. I get in it later that day crank it it's fine. Then begin to have intermittent cranking issues crank it nothing everything on the dash blacks out nothing nothing happens turn the key back turn it back over it cranks that still seems to be a problem it still does that. Then a few months later my liftgate just opens by itself that has happened on several occasions I just been wake up in the morning the and the liftgate is open. One morning my husband wakes up to go to work and goes outside my car has actually remote start itself I was just sitting in the yard running like somebody remote started it but no one was up to do that. At night when I go to bed I don't lock my vehicle because I'm afraid it may be auto started the next morning when I get up and now my check engine light is on with my service traction control and service stabilitrak light the engine is giving the code for injectors 2 4 and 6. P204 202 206. These lights will randomly come on and go off and when their own the vehicle won't start bog down and try to cut off or cut off it doesn't want to stay running came to a red light three days ago those lights come on in the middle of pulling off from a red light it was green so I was pulling away car just shuts off put it put it in park crank it up drives right off.

- Gaston, SC, USA

problem #14

Jul 132018

Enclave

  • miles
This car is a mess. It didn't pass the state emission test sticker. The traction control system in conjunction with the stability track control system. Are bringing up a check engine light with error code P0174 and P0171. Every time those system showed up in the instrument panel I got a follow up check engine light. I don't know what the problem is and two GMC Buick dealer have said different fix method. Very back for me. They want to fix different problems. They don't know what the real problem is. They are guessing.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #13

Aug 282018

Enclave

  • 114,000 miles
My service stabilty track keeps coming in and off and it's like the car just wants to stop as I'm driving on a major highway. Also, my check engine light is now on and staying on and seems to be with the transmission. The car will not go over 20/25 mph and the rpms are going up really high with out the car really accelerateing. It's even worse knowing my children where in the car and it to happen out of no where. I have been in motion with both issues from fine one minute and not the next. I have a pic of what happens with the stabilty track but didn't get one with power problem due to where and when I was on road to dangerous. Service stabilty track happened 08/28/2018 and the power trans problem happened 09/01/2018 and is still a problem not able to drive vehicle. Will try a pic and upload later if possible. Was driving on hwy 20 in Nebraska on both occurrences coming home from work on 08/28/2018 and headed down same hwy to go camping with my children on 09/01/2018 with power team problem that is still happening not driving vehicle now.

- Bassett, NE, USA

problem #12

Oct 262015

Enclave

  • 104,000 miles

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

Complete engine power reduction automatically casing car instantly to drop from 65 mph down to 25 mph in the middle of a 4 lane highway. Lost all power steering ability and not able to turn car and almost drove into trees before it came to a stop. I had to have aaa come and tow my car to walser Buick GMC in bloomington,

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

problem #11

Dec 012016

Enclave

  • 103,000 miles
"takata recall"my Buick Enclave is having problem after problem with this transmission had it serviced twice module replaced at the dealership it still drags speedometer get stuck and now reverse issues I don't no what to do im mentally and financial drain with this vehicle.

- East Chicago, IN, USA

problem #10

Aug 092016

Enclave

  • 102,000 miles
Service traction control and stabilizer. I believe this is a safety issue. And not covered by warranty.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

problem #9

Oct 262015

Enclave

  • 5 miles
The electronic stability control is malfunctioning. Every time I turn, the stability control displays different messages that brakes are no functioning, stability control, check engine, etc.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #8

May 092014

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 103,900 miles
We were driving our vehicle on the highway (route 1 near stafford, va) when it felt like it was suddenly not shifting gears correctly and quickly thereafter lost power beyond 30 miles per hour. We drove into a parking lot. We called the nearest Buick dealership/repair shop (route 1 Buick in woodbridge, va) and told them of issue. They said it sounds like transmission and the wave plate is a "known Enclave problem." They said to have it towed to them and they may be able to assist us with cost as it's close to within powertrain warranty. We had it towed there to route 1 Buick. They diagnosed and found all transmission codes a wave plate code. They said it was a "known problem" and so they called Buick GM service manager. Route 1 Buick called us back to say GM would not assist us as we were outside warranty and had no previous issues with transmission (I have found several other transmission and power loss complaints I and the previous owners have made on this exact vehicle in my research into this...I have kept all records!). route 1 said that our cost would start at $3,800 with no guarantee they wouldn't find other issues needing to be addressed. The also said lucky for us, our vehicle had an open recall on side air bag issue they could fix. As we realized we must pay out-of-pocket and could not afford $3,800, we paid them the $120 for diagnosis and towed it (at our expense) to dun-rite transmission in fredericksburg, va. Dun-rite found it had a broken wave plate. They rebuilt transmission for $2,800. Unfortunately, the stabilitrak, traction control, and air bag sensors are all also going off and car has had 2 other instances of losing power when going up hills. We purchased the certified GM car Nov 2012. My car payment is $462. Per mo. Since that time we have spent an additional $6,095 on repairs and maintenance. Our average month expenses are therefore $801! help!

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #7

Jul 102008

Enclave 6-cyl

  • miles
I purchased this car in January 20. 2008, went to get my first oil change, pick up the car start to drive off every light, can on the car including the button for the door locks, return to the to the dealers where I got the oil change and purchase the car. They keep this car for 4 weeks, took the whole engine down on a brand new car this was a brand new buck Enclave, that I purchase out of the stock room on display, was given a rental car for that period, pick up the car after four weeks, return back with the same problems and a leak in the roof also got that repair, back and forth to the dealers. Change dealers and took it to another dealers they did a good job but time after time I was still having problems at paying 47,000 for this car I was giving a bad deal, and they should have taken this car back because I am having problems to this day. I am smelling smoke like something is burning and a little afraid to drive this car in fair for my kid life.I had valve change, cylinder head change, seal, gasket, bolt, ignition coil replacement, liftgate strut replacement, master cylinder replacement, replace steering gear. This car has been nothing but problem to me, and its a very nice comfortable car, but I got a bad engine, and buck should have handle this different instead of fixing and fixing given me a different car. When I park this car in the parking lot and I come back this car front window has not visibility and windows be frosted like something is still running in the car. Since I purchase this car I have been in a rental more than this car. 3. personal information [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- West Park, FL, USA

problem #6

Apr 182014

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 50,625 miles
My husband, I, and our 3 young children were driving on I-94 at 70mph when our check engine light started flashing, the vehicle immediately starting shaking and riding extremely rough and the engine died. Fortunately we were in the right lane, and there was a wide shoulder for us to pull onto. We had the car towed to a GM dealership, who ran diagnostics and found that there were cylinder misfires on cylinders 1,3 &5. they ran further diagnostics and found that a valve spring broke & dropped into the cylinder. The piston hit the valve, knocked a hole in the piston, and pieces of the valve went through the engine. This vehicle was purchased 5 yrs and 9 months ago (9 months out of the warranty), but only halfway through the 100,000 mile warranty. We were given a GM customer service contact name ([xxx]) and number, but she will neither answer her phone, nor return our numerous messages! we purchased this vehicle brand new and have done all maintenance work on schedule, and have never had a problem with this "luxury" vehicle. We chose this vehicle for all of its safety features, as parents of 3 young children, safety is of our utmost concern. We certainly didn't feel safe 3 hours from home, traveling back from vacation, in the middle of wi completely stranded with a vehicle whose engine died within 5 seconds of the warning lights coming on. As inconvenient as it is that our vehicle is 3 hours from us, we are so thankful this didn't happen in downtown Chicago, where a dead vehicle on I-94 could have easily turned into a fatal collision. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #5

Jan 242013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
Transmission failed 3 weeks out of powertrain warranty and required a rebuild then failed again about a year later. Steering pump and cooling motor failed during warranty period and were replaced and then both failed 18 months later (out of warranty) stabilitrac and check engine lights keep turning on after the dealer has repaired it 3 times (turns on about 30 minutes away from dealer each time). NHTSA really needs to take action against Buick and GM regarding the 2008 Enclave, it is a lemon and people are being ripped off over it and put at serious risk because of its' short comings.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #4

Jul 022013

Enclave

  • 114,354 miles
I was driving and upon trying to press the brake the car jolted almost causing me to hit another car. The car said traction control off. I cautiously drove home with the same issue occurring but realize that the traction control kept going on and off constantly. When I read online about this issue I realized a lot of people with the same model and year are dealing with this issue no matter the mileage.

- Lauderdale Lakes, FL, USA

problem #3

Mar 302010

Enclave 6-cyl

  • miles
2008 Buick Enclave. Consumer states recurring warning that stabilitrack and ABS require service and recurring sunroof drain leak the consumer stated the sunroof leaked again for the second time. The dealer stated the sunroof drain was plugged, so they cleaned it, and the leaking stopped. The end of June 2010, the leak occurred again. The dealer was unable to diagnose a problem regarding the warning lights for the ABS and stabilitrack.

- West Monroe, NY, USA

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