NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,405 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.

2012 Buick Enclave electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Buick Enclave Owner Comments

problem #17

Jan 162024

Enclave

  • miles

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

If any warning light comes on such as my add air to a tire (it always tells me the wrong tire), all of the warning lights start flashing. Things shut off (radio, dash lights, backup camera) and sometimes the car will shut completely down and come back on. I am afraid to drive very far.

- Silverhill, AL, USA

problem #16

Dec 042019

Enclave

  • 158,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the engine started shaking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated when he disengaged the accelerator pedal and depressed it again, the engine stopped shaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure however, the check engine light was reset. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring from the original date of purchase. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times. The contact stated that the catalytic converter, alternator, battery, fuel pump and fuel pressure sensors were replaced however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #15

Apr 152021

Enclave

  • miles
My truck started to jerking while I was driving.when I went in the dealership to get a piece for my inter rim was missing.started the truck.went into reverse.when I started in drive wouldn't move forward.haven't had any problems until today.I had to leave it at the dealership for a diagnostic..

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #14

Feb 072020

Enclave

  • 69,796 miles

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

I had the recall done on my vehicle as part of the 2015/2016 liftgate recall. I have had no problems since. This morning when getting into the back of my car, the liftgate started to close on it's own with no warning (beeping or lights) and hit me on the head. Even though it is supposed to open again when it detects an object in the way, it continued to push close on me. I had to force the liftgate up while it was pushing down. I tried turning the power off and the liftgate won't stay open at all. I tried propping something under it to keep it open, but due to the weight of the liftgate, I cannot keep it open. I effectively can no longer safely use the back of my vehicle for storage, as I am afraid the door will try to close on me every time. I have read that it is an electrical/software issue, as well as an issue with the struts on the door. I had the software upgraded, but the struts were not replaced as part of the original recall. The only electrical issues I've had are that the actuators for my heating & A/C are not switching over. Because of this my defrost and front vents don't work. I live in an area where it is below freezing in the winter. The defrost not working has caused safety issues because the windows will fog up suddenly while I'm driving. I have to pull over often to squeegee the fog off the inside of the windows so I can see while driving. Tried replacing the parts ourselves, and it still doesn't work. I have also had issues with the radio/entertainment system. It randomly changes between band, cd, aux input, satellite radio and usb with no input from me. Although this is more of a nuisance than a safety issue, I fear it points to a larger electrical problem. I have taken my vehicle to a dealership for the actuator and entertainment system problems and was told they can't replicate the issue, so they can't fix it. Does it every time I drive.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

problem #13

Jan 022019

Enclave

  • 102,103 miles
Power liftgate is not working. It collapsed on my wifes back after she had opened it to get groceries.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #12

Dec 182018

Enclave

  • 131,442 miles
Power liftgate motor is not working. When the liftgate was opened manually after the power lift did not work a loud clanking ensued.

- Muskogee, OK, USA

problem #11

Dec 012017

Enclave

  • 80,000 miles

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

When filling up the vehicle with gas, it is flooding the engine... there is also another issue that when you turn off your vehicle and the key is out of the ignition, the car and radio still runs...apparently, there is a fuse box that is causing this problem.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #10

Jun 112018

Enclave

  • 99,650 miles
My 2012 Buick Enclave started having problems on Feb. 14th. I was driving my daughter to school and all of the sudden the car chimed about 3 times (almost like the seatbelt sound) ' then all the sudden the dashboard read the following: 1.engine power is reduced 2.service traction control 3.service stabilitrak 4.the engine light comes on at the same time, the engine power is so low that I had to literally floor it, it wasn't even going 5 miles an hour, it was hard to steer and the brakes were hard to operate --- all power functions greatly reduced. Then the engine idles hard. This video is exactly what my car does: [xxx] there is no rhyme or reason when this happens---- very random. After a few minutes, I was able to restart the car and drive it to the dealership (the engine light was still on). Since the dealership can't duplicate the problem, they were unable to determine the cause for the problem. Since then, this has happened 10+ times. Recently I was going about 75 miles an hour, on the interstate, the car chimed, all the same things on the dash board, I went from 75 to 20 in seconds. Yesterday (6/11/18) was the last straw. I was going 45/50 on a major roadway when my car stopped working again. There was no shoulder to get to - an 18-wheeler carrying a large tractor had to swing into the next lane to avoid hitting me. It is only by god's grace that no one was hurt yesterday. Once the chime sounds, the car literally stops working. This is a very dangerous problem and in looking on the internet it is not uncommon to GMC vehicles. I have children and do not feel safe driving this car. I don't understand why GMC has not identified the problem. I found this video on-line that seems to identify the problem. [xxx] 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).

- Flowery Branch, GA, USA

problem #9

Jul 062016

Enclave

  • 210,000 miles
The switch that turns off the radio. When you open the drivers door does not work. Most of the time; without a lot jiggling.

- Pounx, WI, USA

problem #8

Jul 052016

Enclave

  • 66,000 miles
After a battery was replaced 15 sensor circuit alarms appear, all due to loss of voltage, upon driving all but 2 resolved. The 2 remaining are the issue. They were the HVAC door actuator & heater/ac door motor. Both need to be replaced. Dealer would not reimburse me,

- St Charles, MO, USA

problem #7

Jul 042015

Enclave

  • 46,815 miles

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

6/30-GM sam swope tim calls and said car making loud noise and they don't know why? 7/2 Thursday night pickup car after they replaced timing chain and water pump. 7/4-Saturday arrive in Florida, car won't start. 7/6-Monday car towed to sam taylor dealership in ft. Walton. They found starter engaging while car was running making loud noise. 7/10-Friday night and car still not ready after a week. Starter and ECM replaced and all wires on engine harness spliced(73 per work receipt). 7/27-viewed car with trace starr, sam swope service mgr, and showed him where all wires spliced and mentioned starter engaging and I'm concerned about possible flywheel damage, he said his transmission guy could not hear anything wrong so it's okay and splicing all the wires is considered okay repair. During this time I approached a GM service mgr in a city an hour away and he said absolutely not on the splicing and harness should be replaced. Had not choice but to drive it and it was running okay with an occasional odd occurrence like ac whistling(videotaped). 12/29-brought in for recall, back left window not working, and stabilitrac and traction control warning with check engine light. Sam swope reflashed the ECM. 1/6/16-car stalled and quit with "service engine soon" check engine light. Took to sam swope(now courtesy Buick) and they replaced fuel pump. 3/12/16-my wife was driving straight on dry pavement at 20mph and car stalled hard but did not quit and the traction control check engine light came on. 3/17/16-courtesy Buick "replaced cylinder 4 coil and plug coil failed". I was told coil replaced, car has not acted up again. 3/23-GM called me today asking if I was satisfied and I repeated that the repair was incorrect in Florida, they asked for the GM service mgr nearby that told me it was not correct and I would not give them his name.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Jan 062015

Enclave

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.

- Milford, MI, USA

problem #5

Jul 162014

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 12,000 miles
The dashboard lights failed to come on or just go off while the vehicle is in motion. This has happened numerous times. This makes it impossible to see speedometer, etc. After a period of time, they come on. It may happen at any time from the time the car is started to driving speeds.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #4

Mar 262014

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 36,900 miles
Twice in the last 30 days our Enclave was showing low on gas (usually not an issue) but both times the car sputtered to a stop. Once it quit I lost all power steering and braking. Even after I put gas in the car, the key would not move so I was unable to start the car without a jump. Car was towed to dealership. They were unable to recreate the issue although they were unable to explain why the key would lock up in the ignition. According to Buick everything checked out fine. Based on what we are hearing on the news, this issue seems very similar to the cobalt issue. Thank you.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #3

Mar 192014

Enclave

  • 33,098 miles
My car has had to be towed twice due to failure to start. It will crank then the engine light will come on and will not crank anymore. Has been at shop two times each time a week with no answer to why.

- Belington, WV, USA

problem #2

Mar 112014

Enclave 6-cyl

  • 23,083 miles
Hello, problem: Front passenger side seat belt alarms with less than 5 pounds of weight on the seat. Facts: I own a 2012 Buick Enclave. I had a service clinic appointment with sterling mccall Buick at the sw freeway in houston, Texas. A few days before the appointment the seat belt alarm would ding when my purse and ipad was on the seat. I weighed the items they weigh 4.8 pounds. This is the second time I have had this issue. They replaced the module about 45 days ago. Outcome: I was forwarded GM service notice document id 31202743/#08-09-41-0071. I could not believe this notice. I am not to put any electronic devices or large drinks in the front of the car. Really? there is a usb in the dash compartment of the SUV (without a notch for the cord - rolling my eyes) and GM thinks there will not be an electronic device in the front seat" and a large drink? I really don't get the large drink thing. That is hilarious. My dealership gave me a seat belt extender to keep the thing from dinging constantly. Opinion: I think the module under seat is so frequently defective that GM has written this notice to unburdened the corporation of further warranty work. They can't put a piece of aluminum foil under the seat to shield this module from interference? of course I don't know how you could shield it from the large drink threat, bounty paper towels? my concern is if there is an electronic device in the pocket or lap or at the feet of a passenger will the air bags deploy"

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #1

Jan 022013

Enclave

  • 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the turn signals failed to emit a clicking noise when engaged. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice where the radio and instrument panel were replaced at different times. The failure persisted after each repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

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