NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2011 Buick Enclave (Page 2 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,469 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.

2011 Buick Enclave drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Buick Enclave Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Apr 012014

Enclave

  • 53,000 miles

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

Regarding 2011 Buick Enclave: Power steering rack is leaking and pump faulty requiring replacement. Only 53K on car; bought it brand new in 2011. Luckily I have extended warranty although dealer trying to argue their responsibility. This is very upsetting for several reasons: This a $45,000 car, I pointed this issue out 2 weeks prior during my regular oil change visit and was blown off until I pressed the matter, and I have seen several posts recently regarding this exact issue with this type vehicle. Additionally there is admitted fault by GMC regarding several mechanical issues related to power steering and as evidenced by multitude of recent recalls. I hate to say it but this is my first american car and likely my last. My 2004 Nissan with 180K miles runs great!!

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #11

Nov 092013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 55,378 miles
Driving off of a highway. Sudden engine seize steering lock and zero power. Car rolled to a complete stop. Luckily we were in a turning lane and were able to roll into a safe waiting area. No one in the vehicle were injured bodily yet the mental anguish and fear was unbearable. Had this happened on the highway five minutes earlier, with the heavy traffic, I am sure there would have been much more serious outcome. The car has since been serviced. Replaced were a broken engine belt., and bad tensioner. What I don't understand is how a 3 year old car could fail so terribly. I am now petrified to drive my Enclave for fear of other faulty parts. Service was performed at ferman GMC on November 11, 2013 in lutz Florida. This was their first encounter with such a problem. Very scary experience for all involved. Every time I see a buck I recall that night in my mind. I still have not driven the car since it has been repaired and home. Not sure I can ever trust this brand again. I was told a faulty tensioner caused the engine belt to snap. Horrible.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 272013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 40,500 miles
When car is on a incline when you take your foot of brake it rolls backward, just purchase the car on 8/8/2013 took it back to dealer they say that's how it is, nothing wrong.(safety hazard??)

- Parma Hts, OH, USA

problem #9

Mar 182013

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 0 miles

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

Vehicle rolls backwards when I let off brake on slight grade at stop.

- Plymouth, IN, USA

problem #8

Aug 062011

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
Transmission does not hold at all - will move forward while in reverse at the slightest incline - also does not shift down to pass other vehicles - very sloppy sluggish transmission.

- Mokena, IL, USA

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problem #7

Aug 022010

Enclave

  • 10 miles
While stopped at stop sign; vehicle rolls. While taking off, you must keep your foot on the brake to prevent vehicle from rolling backward into vehicle behind while accelerating too. This vehicle is like driving a manual vehicle.

- Gladstone, IL, USA

problem #6

Sep 282011

Enclave

  • 400 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while in reverse with the brakes depressed, the vehicle rolled forward. Also, when the gear was in drive the vehicle would roll backward. The accelerator pedal had to be depressed with force in order for the vehicle not to roll away when gear was in drive. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic, but the dealer was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was also test driven but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 400 and the current mileage was 6100.

- Crystal , MN, USA

problem #5

Dec 122011

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 5,400 miles
2011 Buick Enclave rolls unabated on hills while in gear - drive or reverse. Very hard to control. Requires very quick move from brake to accelerator and "2-foot" driving which is dangerous and wears brakes and transmission. There is no "hill hold" feature and drivetrain provides no resistance.

- Hopewell Junction, NY, USA

problem #4

Nov 052011

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 26,990 miles
2011 Buick Enclave rolls uncontrollable on hills while in gear - drive or reverse. Very hard to manage. Requires very quick move from brake to accelerator and "2-foot" driving which is dangerous and wears brakes and transmission. There is no "hill hold" feature and drivetrain provides no resistance. This is a serious safety concern as the rollback is not restricted and can reach dangerous speeds depending on the level of decline. This requires the driver to keep firm and consistent pressure on the brake when on an incline to avoid rolling into other vehicles and also, go heavy on gas to overpower the roll when taking off. This is even worse than a manual transmission vehicle as at least they will stop if they snub out.

- La Grange, TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 122011

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
On incline when in drive -- rolls backward, indefinitely. On decline when in reverse -- rolls forward, indefinitely. This makes the vehicle extremely dangerous to parallel park on an incline/decline, as at some point you will need to take your foot off the brake to get going and when you do, the vehicle will roll forward (hopefully not hitting the car in front of you) and the accelerator will need to be applied enough to move the heavy vehicle against the grade (hopefully not so forcefully that you will risk hitting the car behind you). Service department at local dealership pointed me to owner's manual (9-25): "if the vehicle is stopped on a hill, with your foot off the brake pedal, the vehicle may roll. This is normal and is due to the torque converter designed to improve fuel economy and performance. Use the brake to hold the vehicle on a hill. Do not use the accelerator pedal." However, this owner's manual entry is in the "drive" section, and similar statements are not mentioned within the section about "reverse."

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #2

Apr 072011

Enclave

  • 1 miles
Buick Enclave 2011: The car rolls down uncontrollably on hills while in gear whether in drive or reverse, and is very hard to control. This also requires very quick movement from brake to accelerator. There is no "hill hold" feature and drivetrain provides no resistance. We deal with this problem every day while driving our driveway and into our garage. The minute we attempt to pull up to the garage, the car/SUV starts rolling backwards and you have to conduct a couple of quick steps to stop it. I imagine this causes wear and tear on the brakes and other parts of the vehicle. A service rep at the dealership said this was normal and told me about other manufacturers that have the same problem from GMC. I drive a second car and it never does this. I believe this is a Buick Enclave problem.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #1

Oct 292010

Enclave

  • 100 miles
The vehicle rolls back on any incline. There is no hand brake in the center console, and according to dot safety this is not legal. Most crossovers and or SUVS of this size roll back a few inches before the transmission pins engage and stop the roll back. I was told from GMC that the component was remove so that the transmission doesn't have to be serviced for 100000 miles. GMC told us the only thing they are willing to do is install and after-market hand control and will pay a percentage toward the cost. To me this sounds like a band-aid fix to a bigger problem.

- Hudson, MA, USA

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