CSR

Buick · NHTSA safety record

2010 Buick Enclave

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

275

Complaints

5

Crashes

1

Fires

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 Buick Enclave have filed 275 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2009 and November 2025. The most complained-about system is the steering, named in 126 of them (46%). The typical failure was reported at 72,500 miles, the median across the 230 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

21V782000 · October 7, 2021

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

General Motors, LLC · up to 555 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

21V246000 · April 8, 2021

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
The risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

General Motors, LLC · up to 108 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

15V415000 · June 30, 2015

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
The risk
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

General Motors LLC · up to 691,144 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

14V266000 · May 20, 2014

The defect
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
The risk
If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
The remedy
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,339,355 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

14V118000 · March 17, 2014

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
The risk
Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

General Motors LLC · up to 1,176,407 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

10V375000 · August 12, 2010

The defect
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.
The risk
THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · up to 207,210 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

EA20002

Closed engineering analysis · opened August 31, 2020 · closed August 30, 2024 · led to recall 21V245

the seat belts

On August 31, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) EA20002, as an upgrade of Recall Query (RQ) RQ19003. This investigation, related to recall 14V-266, was opened to investigate instances of detachment of the flexible steel seat belt anchor cable attached to the outboard side of the front seats in vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The subject vehicles included model year (MY) 2009 through 2014 GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Chevrolet Traverse SUVs as well as MY 2009 through 2010 Saturn Outlook SUVs. These vehicles were previously repaired for this defect under recall 14V-266. The subject vehicle population is approximately 1.3 million vehicles. Special Coverage N192219480, issued in June 2019, addressed the subject defect in vehicles that previously received the recall remedy repair for subject recall 14V-266. The Special Coverage allows for component replacement for 12 years or 180,000 miles from the initial sale date, whichever comes first. Special Coverage N192219480 instructed service technicians to inspect the driver’s seat belt anchor cable for any damage to the protective sleeve and if damage was observed, the cable was replaced with a new sleeve as well as a new closeout piece that relocated the cable to mitigate the subject condition. In view of the Special Coverage conducted by General Motors, the high detectability of the subject failure, and the low rate of occurrence, this Engineering Analysis is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov. Please see the attached document “EA20-002 Detailed Closing Summary” for more a detailed closing resume summary.

Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure

RQ19003

Closed recall query · opened May 28, 2019 · closed August 31, 2020

the seat belts

On May 19, 2014, General Motors LLC (GM) notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it would conduct Safety Recall 14V266 to address fatigue and separation of the flexible steel cable that connects the front outboard seat belts to the seat-mounted belt pre-tensioner in 1.4 million model year (MY) 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse (Lambda Platform) vehicles.The remedy was to inspect for signs of damage and replace pre-tensioner anchor cables as needed. Re-work was conducted to relocate the pre-tensioner anchor cable out of the occupant entry path. ODI has subsequently received four (4) Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQ) reporting anchor cable separations with no apparent warning in covered vehicles after the Recall 14V266 remedy had been applied.ODI opened RQ19-003 to assess the effectiveness of the actions GM took in Recall 14V266 and review the full warranty and complaint data related to seat belt anchor cable separations and replacements. ODI continues to receive occasional cable failure complaints both for the subject vehicles and other GM models and model years that have also been previously recalled addressing this condition.Although the cable separation complaint rate is very low, over the past three years ODI has received two (2) additional VOQ?s citing belt cable separations for Lambda platform vehicles outside the scope of recall 14V266, (11217092, 11118075) and complaints for other GM models covered in a number of similar Safety Recalls:* 15V269, 2011-12 Chevrolet Malibu (11181115, 11288168); * 16V209, 2014-15 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500 (11254364, 10935183, 10953851, 11025376, 11282043, 11288701, 11309884); and * 16V518 2014-16 Caprice Police Pursuit, SS (10905644, 10990669, 11340893).ODI's review of GM's data confirms the low potential failure rate for the vehicles covered by recall 14V266. However, ODI believes that complainants may not recognize accumulating cable fatigue damage from the visual cues available in routine vehicle use.ODI is upgrading RQ19-003 to an Engineering Analysis to more closely assess seat belt conditions and strength levels in the field. This work will include the collection of seat belt samples from a wider range of recalled and peer vehicles for detailed analysis and testing.The ODI reports (VOQs) associated with this RQ19-003 can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following reference numbers: 11144704, 11076704, 11185619, 11151922, 11164011, 10967518, 11113486, 11115648

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 275.

STEERING 126 46%
ENGINE 72 26%
POWER TRAIN 34 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 18 7%
STRUCTURE 12 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 8 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8 3%
SUSPENSION 7 3%
AIR BAGS 6 2%
SERVICE BRAKES 6 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 57.

2009 2014 2025
2009 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 injured · crash · 66,000 miles

I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE ON A FOUR LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DRIVING OVER AN OVERPASS NEAR ROCKPORT, MO. MY SPEED/CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET ON 70 MPH.THERE WERE ONE OR MORE CARS AHEAD OF ME IN THE PASSING LANE AND I WAS PASSING A SEMI-TRUCK IN THE RIGHT LANE. MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SPEED UP, WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES UNSUCCESSFULLY TO BRAKE AND COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. I CHANGED LANES IN ORDER TO NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WE WERE ALMOST UPON. IN DOING SO, THE SEMI-TRUCK CLIPPED THE CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS SPUN ON TO THE SHOULDER AND THEN ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES DOWN THE 65 FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND

NHTSA complaint 10715574, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured · crash · 61,000 miles

ON JULY 28, 2014, TRAFFIC LIGHTS WERE OUT DUE TO A STORM AT A BUSY INTERSECTION MAKING IT A 4-WAY STOP. WHEN MY TURN TO PROCEED I STARTED OUT GOING NORTH AND A VEHICLE HEADING WEST DIDN'T REALIZE THE LIGHTS WERE OUT RAN THRU INTERSECTION HITTING ME ON RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE PUSHING MY VEHICLE OVER 2 LANES. I WOULD ESTIMATED SHE WAS DOING AT LEAST 45 MILES PER HOUR. SHE DIDN'T SEE ME AND I DIDN'T SEE HER BECAUSE A TRUCK WAS STOPPED BLOCKING BOTH OF OUR VIEWS. I BOUNCED OFF DRIVERS DOOR AND ENDED UP LAYING IN PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE AND WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER HELPED ME UP I NOTICED MY SEAT BELT HAD COME UNDONE AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WAS INJURED ON MY LEFT SIDE AND

NHTSA complaint 10621786, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY

1 injured · 2,500 miles

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT ROLLED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOWN WHICH SUCKED HER CHILD'S FINGERS DOWN INTO THE WINDOW SEAL. SHE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP TO GET HIS FINGERS OUT. THE FINGERS SUFFERED MINOR BRUISES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,725.

NHTSA complaint 10365090. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

1 injured · 83,200 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR LIFTGATE TO PLACE SOMETHING IN THE VEHICLE. THE LIFTGATE DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN MADE THE CONTACT AWARE THAT THE SOFTWARE UPDATE LISTED ON THE NOTIFICATION WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,200. UPDATED 11/19/15*LJ

NHTSA complaint 10778550. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I am filing this safety complaint regarding a sudden and dangerous engine failure in a 2010 Buick Enclave CXL purchased from Frankfort Car Outlet on 8/25/2025. On 10/25/2025, while driving on the expressway, the engine suddenly began knocking, lost power, and stalled. This created a serious safety risk to myself and other drivers. The failure occurred only 60 days after purchase and approximately 2,000 miles later, suggesting a pre-existing internal defect that the dealership did not disclose. The dealership has refused to inspect the vehicle, acknowledge the safety risk, or assist in any way. This type of sudden engine failure could pose a serious hazard if similar vehicles have the same

NHTSA complaint 11701258, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The engine and fuel pump system failed while driving the vehicle. It is available upon request to inspect. I just towed it to the shop today on 10/22/25 to get a full inspection. My sister and I were put at risk while driving towards a hill in San Francisco. It was on a busy main road when suddenly the vehicle began to jerk and thud back and forth. While I pushed the gas pedal, I began to question why the vehicle was suddenly reacting this way. In efforts to pull over to the side, a huge smoke fog began to come out of the exhaust pipe. As I tried to reach the curb the car didn’t want to move any further as I pushed on the gas. I put it in park and called the tow truck (receipts below) while

NHTSA complaint 11695070, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
I purchased a 2010 Buick Enclave from a dealer who did not disclose any major issues with the vehicle. After purchase, I began experiencing significant problems while driving, including difficulty shifting, loss of power, and unstable handling. Concerned for my safety, I took the Buick to a mechanic for inspection. The mechanic verified that: •The wrong transmission had been installed in the vehicle, causing unsafe shifting and performance issues. •The driveshaft was malfunctioning, which affects the stability and control of the SUV. •No warning or check engine lights were on •CV axel bolts were zip tied closed Because of these defects, the mechanic told me the vehicle is not safe to drive.

NHTSA complaint 11684851, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The timing chain broke and my transmission needs to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint 11679800. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Bad timing chain at 141,000 miles

NHTSA complaint 11623077. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The engine was built with the same components as the 2008/2009 models and they have been recalled, the oil drains out of the engine rapidly and causes engine to seize and had to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint 11603092. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Buick Enclave

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 36 0
2022 13 1
2021 25 2
2020 56 6
2019 42 1
2018 64 0
2017 179 3
2016 140 4
2015 171 5
2014 292 7
2013 68 4
2012 132 6
2011 211 6

Other 2010 Buick models

Every Buick on this site — 60 vehicles, 172 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst