1.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,470 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.

2009 Buick Enclave drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2009 Buick Enclave Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Mar 102023

Enclave

  • 150,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the rear driver-??s side and center seat belt failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed but no failure could be determined. could not be determined. The contact then stated that on another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter failed to operate in drive(D). The contact stated that the shifter was stuck in drive (Low). As a result, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. Additionally, the contact stated that on multiple occasions, the instrument panel digital display failed to illuminate, and the contact was unable to state whether there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the instrument panel light bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #32

May 052021

Enclave

  • 52,000 miles
My wife took a trip to springfield ill. From paris mo. On 5/5/21 she drove appox 50 miles toward springfield on I72 E.her tachometer started shooting up about 5-6 thousand RPM at 70mph.hot transmission light came on.I told her to stop an let it cool.the light went off and she put it in gear only to find she only had low gear.we took it to S & K Buick in springfield ill. Where they diagnosed it. The wave plate in the transmission had exploded.when we explained this vehicle only has 52,000 miles they or GM would do nothing for us.we find that ridiculous.they only used that transmission for 2 years and abruptly stopped using it.we have read of many of these with the same issue on the internet sites. Know they want us to pay nearly $5000 to replace transmission.once again this vehicle only has 52,000 original miles is garage kept and is pampered.this in our mind should be a recall and they should have some responsibity in this issue at General Motors.any help would be appreciated.also Wednesday 5/19/2021 the dealer will have had this vehicle 2 weeks.another joke.

- Paris, MO, USA

problem #31

Sep 222020

Enclave

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that upon placing the gear shifter into park, the vehicle reverted to neutral with the circuit relay warning message displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition and was unable to restart the vehicle. She also mentioned that the vehicle began to roll away as the failure occurred. The contact applied the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 09V073000 (power train) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Missoula, MT, USA

problem #30

Oct 022019

Enclave 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle started to jerk, the gears slipped, the rpms increased, the vehicle failed to accelerate, and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed after having the vehicle for 9 months and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #29

Mar 162019

Enclave

  • 150,458 miles
We purchased a 2009 GMC Buick Enclave from gillie hyde used cars in glasgow, ky on 3-15-19. Immediately upon driving the vehicle home, we noted that the vehicle shook when accelerating. We immediately took to our mechanic who noted the transmission issue and we researched the vehicle and found that there was a recall on the vehicle with an extended warranty to the transmission as well as the timing as well as the rear tailgate falling after automatically opening. None of these items were listed. Https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/Buick/Enclave/2009/reliability#recalls the recalls were not noted on the carfax provided by the dealership. We feel as though we have been mislead and completely lied to about this vehicle. The vehicle shakes bad. We had transmission fluid changed, oil changed and still shakes. GM knew of the shaking resulting from the timing chain stretching and our dealer did not inform us of this (even when they had another Enclave on the lot with this issue and told us not to buy it). GM continued to manufacture this engine and finally issued an extended warranty: In November 2012, GM released a special coverage adjustment (#11340C) for timing chain wear in 2.8L and 3.6L V6 engines (LP1/LY7/llt).

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

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problem #28

Aug 252018

Enclave

  • 103,926 miles
Was driving on ramp to enter highway, with my three 6 and younger children, and also 7 months pregnant! the Enclave just stalled and still can not start but one time it did, but it sounded like it was going to blow up making weird noises so I shut it off right away. I have been researching this and I see it is very common with 2009 & 2010 Enclaves. I don't understand why nothing has been done? if this happened shortly later I would have been on the highway and several people could be involved getting hurt or killed. I have had it less than a year, with less than 104,000 miles on it. Also has wheel bearing issues which I replaced front now the rear ones need to be done. What is up with this neglect and no one to assist us consumers until someone gets seriously hurt or killed! now the vehicle is sitting at a garage where towed waiting for report and I have no vehicle so lost my job I have four kids to support. Figured I buy a newer decent vehicle to be dependable & reliable only to find out it's neither only unsafe for my family.

- Cicero, NY, USA

problem #27

Feb 172018

Enclave

  • 92,000 miles

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

Driving on the highway the rpms started racing and it felt like the transmission was slipping. We started losing power and eventually the car would not shift out of first gear. Carmax had a dealership repair the transmission. We don't use this vehicle often so when we drive it several months later it seemed fine initially then after driving it a little more we started having the engine light come on and getting several fault codes and very rough shifting at lower speeds 30-35 mph. In the process of trying to get the issue fixed again.

- Sierra Vista, AZ, USA

problem #26

Mar 152018

Enclave

  • 83,500 miles
When driving on highway between 70 and 75 mph the transmission starts slipping and RPM jumps up to 4500. Also encounter the same problem on local street driving between 30 and 40 mph, transmission starts slipping and RPM races from about 1500 to 2800. Took the vehicle to local Buick dealer. They stated there is recall on the transmission for that year but not this particular VIN. This is dangerous as the loss in power almost resulted in me being rear ended a couple of times.

- Ocoee, FL, USA

problem #25

Dec 152017

Enclave

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. After the vehicle was placed in park, the contact exited the vehicle and heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle rolled back towards the woods. The contact called southtowne Chevrolet (695 bullsboro dr, newnan, ga 30265) and was informed of a recall. The vehicle was towed to southtowne Chevrolet where it was diagnosed that the gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #24

Sep 012016

Enclave

  • 135,000 miles
Car shudders and has problems accelerating when gears shifts. Diagnosis=replace bank 1 camshaft actuator worn timing chains, replace all spark plugs and 3 ignition coils again. (performed pfi system dia test. Codes fired P0017 and P0300 stored. Correlation and misfire coes).

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #23

Mar 012017

Enclave

  • 104,000 miles

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

Hard shifting noted in gears. Car acts like it's in neutral when in reverse. Buick dealership says the wave plate is defect. Other 09 Buick Enclaves are covered by specialty policy. 14404 a. but not my VIN VIN. Same make model and transmission. I was told by GMC customer service to complain here.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #22

Aug 062017

Enclave

  • 138,000 miles
Driving on a freeway speed posted 80mph, 2009 Buick Enclave RPM's began to shoot from 2000 RPM to 5000rpm when pushing on accelerator. Forward movement continued for short distance at 2000 RPM. Traffic was merging to one left lane for construction on a bridge. Pulled off to the right and stopped. Before entering one lane of traffic over bridge. After putting car in park, I tried to move forward in drive and then reverse. The transmission was completely gone. If I had entered that bridge with traffic pushed into one lane it could have been a disaster. Cars were entering that bridge at at least 70 mph. I feel this is a very dangerous situation and see that GM has extended the warranty on these vehicle transmissions to 120,000 miles. I have owned the car since 30,000 miles and have been the only driver. I am 68 years old and have never towed anything with it. I baby a car. This part failure is very dangerous. If I had not pulled off, I would have put myself and many other motorists in danger.

- Providence, UT, USA

problem #21

Dec 152016

Enclave

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle hesitated, jerked, and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the #1 cylinder misfired and the plugs and PCV valves were replaced. The mechanic then took the vehicle for a test drive and diagnosed that the transmission failed and the vehicle could no longer be shifted into reserve, third gear, or sixth gear. It was diagnosed that the transmission wave plate failed and needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that there were no open recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Mattawan, MI, USA

problem #20

Nov 302016

Enclave

  • 99,000 miles
When in reverse, the vehicle will still roll forward on a decline and when drive, it rolls backwards when on an incline. It acts as a stick shift. I was going up an incline coming out of a parking lot and stopped. When I took my foot off of the brake to go, the car rolled backwards and almost hit the car behind me. I pulled into my driveway and took my foot off of the brake and it rolled two lengths before I put on the brake to stop it from going in the street. While reversing into my inclined driveway, if I don't keep my foot on the gas to control momentum or it will roll forward.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #19

Jul 012016

Enclave

  • 110,000 miles
Have issues with vehicle idling and the car jumps at the point of switching gears. When driving on the expressway the car goes above 50 hesitantly.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #18

Apr 182016

Enclave

  • 90,595 miles
Car lost power steering at low speed when making turns.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #17

Jan 062016

Enclave

  • 116,210 miles
Car spuddering on acceleration and inclines. Check engine light on. Needs all spark plugs and coils replaced again. Codes P0300, P0302, P0303 stored. Miss fire on 2 and 3 cyclinders. Also, needs replace line and recharge system as ac discharge line is leaking.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #16

Dec 162015

Enclave

  • 115,699 miles
Check engine light on with reduced engine power message. Also display ac off message and overheat message. Vehicle towed. Pressure tested system found water pump leaking. Removed and replaced water pump. Front timing cover leaking. Removed front engine cover and resealed. Found both front struts leaking. Removed and replaced front struts.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #15

Jan 212015

Enclave

  • 96,207 miles
Stabilitrac light on. Found the master cylinder leaking into brake booster and replaced. The front motor mount was also broken.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #14

Jul 132015

Enclave

  • 72,000 miles
Driving on interstate 75 North of cincinnati oh in bumper to bumper traffic on 7-13-15 in left lane when buzzer sounded, traction control light came on and engine lost power. Trying to get to shoulder was a bad experience as traffic was having one hell of a time trying to cope with a car that suddenly wasn't moving. How a bad accident didn't happen, I just say it was good luck! we really like our Buick Enclave and would like to keep it. I have a code reader and no code was revealed. I pushed the traction control button several times and reentered traffic and the car ran fine for the next two hours to home......

- Corydon, IN, USA

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