NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2011 Buick Enclave (Page 1 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 1 of 2)

problem #32

Mar 142024

Enclave

  • miles

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

I have had my car looked at and my camshaft reductor wheel/valve is broken. This happened very unexpectedly and almost caused a serious accident at highway speeds. I was able to drift the car to the shoulder from the middle lane, but almost was hit by a semi when my car randomly stalled out in the middle of I-5. This is a problem I have sense researched and has happened to many others with the same car and model year.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #31

Sep 272022

Enclave

  • miles
I was driving and the other person ran the stop light and hit my car making me go in and hit another car from the other side.

- Andrews , TX, USA

problem #30

Jul 042021

Enclave

  • miles
While driving at highway speeds, with cruise control set the vehicle started to violently shake almost causing me to lose control of the vehicle. After having the vehicle inspected I was informed that the transmission is known to have an issue with the 3rd and 5th clutch pack causing the vehicle to shake when they are trying to engage. This is no lights on the dash and no other warning signs of said issue. I have an appointment to have the issue resolved which entails to have the transmission either rebuild or replaced.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #29

Mar 012021

Enclave

  • 138,000 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 operating the vehicle on a slight incline with the transmission in drive, the vehicle would roll backwards down the hill. During the failure, the brakes and power steering also became inoperable. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer carl black Chevrolet Buick GMC (11500 East colonial dr, orlando, fl 32817) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 138,000. The VIN was not available.

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #28

Feb 142020

Enclave

  • 150,000 miles
Codes P0017 and P0008 camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position keeps coming on driving and parked running. Even after replacing the sensor.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

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problem #27

Sep 022020

Enclave

  • 150,000 miles
Transmission needed replaced at 160,000, issue been goin on for about 1 year or 10,000 miles has had oil leaks, have had to fill fuild up regularly, seems like all of these GM, Chevy, Buick and Saturn's all have had the same issue with transmissions

- Richland, MI, USA

problem #26

Aug 112020

Enclave

  • miles

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

In 2017 the timing belt failed with less than 100,000 miles on the vehicle. Timing belt replacement was over 2000 dollars. 2018 the check engine light came on india sting an issue with the caytalic converter. Have not repaired but vehicle will dye while driving. It quit working on interstate and I had to coast across five lanes to shoulder, where I was able to restart vehicle. This also happened on 2 lane highway. 2020 airbag light came on, stayed on for a few days and went out. Hit bump in road airbag light returns.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #25

Feb 162019

Enclave

  • 93,000 miles
Hello - I am writing as a concerned consumer. I currently own a 2011 Buick Enclave. Two weeks ago, while driving this vehicle it started making a very loud knocking noise. The car then completely shut off and became inoperable while driving down a hill. With loss of power steering and the inability to restart the engine it became a dangerous situation trying to get the vehicle stopped and safely off the road. The vehicle was taken to a garage and it was determined that the issue was a broken timing chain. This repair required the removal of the engine to replace the timing chain. Research into Buick has shown that there is a bulletin out for this very issue but only for the 2009 model year. My 2011 was manufactured in 2010. For this very issue, Buick has extended the manufactures warranty to 120K or 7yrs. Research shows that this timing chain issue is not exclusive to the 2009 as owners of other model years are expressing the same concerns. I am writing to file a formal complaint, as this is a safety issue that Buick refuses to acknowledge. The failure of this timing chain lead to a situation that could have caused a wreck and possible injury. I have contacted Buick several times and they refuse to provide financial compensation for the repairs and refuse to investigate this further. Their response is simply, there is no bulletin so there is nothing that can be done for me.

- Drums, PA, USA

problem #24

Dec 012018

Enclave

  • 139,000 miles
I was driving down the highway and all of sudden the vehicle jerk back hard and I loss power and stabilize system shut down and could drive no more than 20 mile an hour. It gotten worst that my truck is jerking and shaking.

- Sturgis, MI, USA

problem #23

Jan 012018

Enclave

  • 82,100 miles
Car RPM is increasing and lowering during driving like the tranmissio. Is preparing to change gears causing car to lose power in the middle of driving scaring me during driving. Car is in motion

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #22

Nov 182015

Enclave

  • 79,738 miles

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

2011 Buick Enclave "engine hot A/C off" and then "engine overheated idle engine" and then "engine power reduced" messages came on in quick succession (w/in less than 1.5 miles) at 10:00 P.M. I was driving on Suburban streets when this issue occurred. Took into dealer first thing the next morning and was told the water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. I mentioned April 2013 tsb #13079 related to leaking water pump shaft and was told that had expired. Water pump was subject of extended warranty coverage for 2008-2010 Enclaves (#13091). Water pump is covered under powertrain warranty (100,000 miles or 5 years -- my vehicle has 79,738 miles and warranty expired 10//15). Called Buick customer service to inquire about this issue. Was told dealership would have to determine any financial assistance. I believe the evidence suggests GM is aware there is a continuing issue with the water pumps on Buick Enclaves made after 2010 and there should be extended warranty coverage for the fix on these vehicles, as well.

- Wexford, PA, USA

problem #21

Jun 092011

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 500 miles
I own a 2011 Buick Enclave. The vehicle rolls backwards in drive on an incline when I take my foot of the accelerator and roles forward when on a decline when in reverse. The vehicle will continue to roll until I apply the brakes. I actually have to work the brake and accelerator just to control the vehicle. Especially difficult to handle when trying to park it in hilly situations. The hill does not have to be steep at all for this to happen. But, the steeper the hill the more dangerous this rolling can be. I almost rolled into a fence while trying to back out of a parking space on an decline. I've had numerous close calls when parking or someone behind me is close to my rear bumper on an incline. I taken the vehicle to the dealer ship and they say that just the way the vehicle. No recall on this. GM does not recognize the rolling issue as a hazard. Many complaints on the internet though. I just think this is a huge safety issue that GM is ignoring. This has been happening since I bought the vehicle new on 2011.....updated 11/02/15

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #20

Jun 032013

Enclave

  • 24,000 miles
Ever since I bought this vehicle it rolls backwards when in park.,I told the dealer about it and they say it's common. What ever that means. I put up with this until now that I am parking it in a small garage and when I park it it rolls back and the overhead door hits the bumper and flies back open. One time I parallel parked on a incline and it rolled back into the car parked behind me.luck for me no real damage. Glad I live in Florida where there are not to many hills to park on. But every time I go on vacation it gets more and more dangerous. There has to be something that can be adjusted or tightened up to stop this, please respond to my problem as to what can be done.

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #19

Apr 232012

Enclave

  • 12,000 miles
I am not sure where transmission falls in the above list. Ever since I purchased the vehicle it rolls backwards when stopped on a hill. I have to use both feet to keep it from rolling back and hitting the car behind me. I was trying to back up in a parking space that was up hill and it rolls forward also. I asked the dealership not long after I discovered this issue and their response was oh it is supposed to do that. I find that hard to believe, it is dangerous. It's not like this is a 5 speed with a clutch but that is how you have to treat it on hills.

- Martin , TN, USA

problem #18

Dec 302014

Enclave

  • 53,000 miles
[xxx]

- Woodstock, VT, USA

problem #17

Feb 072015

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 37,900 miles
While I was getting ready to merge onto a highway I heard a "pinging noise" then a "thud". I immediately pulled over to find the the drive train or drive shaft had just fallen out of my car onto the road.

- Royersford, PA, USA

problem #16

Jan 092015

Enclave

  • 67,267 miles
December 2014 lift gate was up and suddenly came down and hit my wife with great force. This happened twice but not consistently. Subsequently was taken to a Chevrolet/GM dealership, found both struts not holding pressure and were replaced at owner's expense. On the morning of January 9,2015 driving during a snow storm on an interstate suddenly vehicle lost stabiltrab, traction control and engine power was reduced to 15 mph. Due to the weather traffic was going slower than normal. Car driven to a Chevrolet/GM dealer where the throttle body was replaced at owner's expense. On January 14, 2015 owner brought car to have power steering pump replaced due to GM September 2014 notice and owner informed that power steering rack was leaking. Although not replacing the power steering rack would lead to failure of the new power steering pump, this component was not covered. Owner paid a portion to have the rack replace. This repair required a front end alignment for which the owner paid for.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #15

Aug 152013

Enclave

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that after stopping at a stop sign on a flat road and slowly disengaged the brake, the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact mentioned that a great amount of pressure had to be used in order for the vehicle to move forward. The problem persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

- Picayune, MS, USA

problem #14

Jul 242014

Enclave

  • 15,733 miles
Vehicle experience severe roll back when on an incline. It is very dangerous and that has happened to me multiple times and I am afraid that I will hit the car or structure behind me. Reading Buick forums it seems line many others are experiencing this problem as well.

- Pittsburgh , PA, USA

problem #13

Jun 022014

Enclave

  • 53,000 miles
When my Buick has been on incline in the drive or reverse gear, my Buick rolls backwards or forwards depending on the direction of the incline without stopping. It makes it necessary to hold the brake with one foot and accelerate with the other. The problem used to be a small roll back but has recently become to a point where the car doesn't stop rolling. This is extremely dangerous as it does not allow the driver to have control of the car. I'm extremely worried in residential areas with driveways on an incline as it will make it hard to stop the car if a kid is either in front or behind the car when this occurs.

- Springfield, VA, USA

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