NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Buick Enclave. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
There has been a considerable dimming of car’s headlights over the past 6 months. Visibility at night is very low, and I usually have to use my high beams to see while driving at night. The cost to replace headlights is astronomical and requires mechanic to fix (very complicated process that requires significant amount of dismantling of the vehicle). Concerned this is a recipe for disaster as many people affected by similar issue will be unable to afford the cost of changing headlights that really shouldn’t be this dim to start with.
The contact owned a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH and then making a turn, a deer jumped out onto the road and after it was hit, the vehicle was sent into a marsh wetland. The contact stated that all the air bags failed to deploy and that the passenger side hit a tree and the driver side of the vehicle was partially in the pond. No warning lights had illuminated. There were no police on the scene, however, the fire department arrived and the contact was unsure if there was a report filed. There was no injury therefore no medical attention was required. After contacting the insurance company, the vehicle was towed and later deemed destroyed once an inspector was sent out. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
I took my Buick enclave into the gmc dealership two years ago for an service airbag light that kept coming on. They sent me home twice saying it was just a computer issue. Now this recall is out and I asked for my car to be serviced as I’m a mother of 4 and can’t stop driving my vehicle. They said that the part isnt out yet and nothing they can do. I’m having to drive a dangerous vehicle around with no help from gmc.
I had to have the power steering unit replaced under warranty and now it needs to be replaced again at less than 80000 miles.
The engine light has come on and a diagnostic check has been made and I was told it needed the transmission replaced. This car has only 112,000 miles on it and has been maintained. Why would there be transmission issues with low mileage?
Rear vision camera or monitor does not provide adequate view of objects directly behind the vehicle, especially during daylight hours. Even moderate sunlight causes severe fading of what the driver should see on the monitor. The problem is exacerbated by inability to make any significant adjustments of contrast. One day at about noon, while moving my Buick from the driveway to an on-street parking space, I very nearly ran over a toddler who was on a walk with his granddad. The toddler momentarily escaped the supervision of his granddad who was several yards behind him. The toddler was not within my sight when I walked behind my vehicle to reach the driver's door. He apparently ran ahead of his granddad, turned a corner and was waiting behind my vehicle for his grandfather to catch up. I now had a toddler standing right behind my vehicle, who was nowhere in sight when I approached the car. Nevertheless, these things happen. I put the Buick in "Reverse", activating the back-up camera. I checked the monitor which should have given me a view of the toddler, but it did not. Fortunately, I did not rush to back into the street. Instead, I paused to carefully establish that no traffic was passing behind me. As I looked to my left, the granddad was waving his arms, indicating that I should not back up. As I put the Buick back into "Park" I realized that a neighbor working in his yard across the street, ran up to the rear of my vehicle & picked up the toddler to bring him to safety. Fortunately, the neighbor's efforts were unnecessary, as the vehicle remained motionless until the toddler was safely out of danger. Despite my best efforts to maintain safety, this incident could have ended in tragedy. I am angered that a device installed for the purpose of preventing exactly this incident, failed to perform in the manner in which it was intended. An internet search found other complaints regarding the picture quality of the back-up camera on this 2017 Buick Enclave. Thanks
Received safety recall last year 2021 and made arrangements with John Holt Auto Sales in Chickasha, OK. They took all the information and said we would be notified when the air bag replacement had arrived. It's been over a year now and this problem still exists. Not sure how much longer I should wait while driving this hazardous vehicle on the highway.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed that she would receive a call once parts were available. The contact received a letter stating that parts were now available; however, several dealers informed the contact that parts were still unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
POWER STEERING STOPS FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, RESULTING IN A LIKELY CAR ACCIDENT. DRIVING IN CITY MAKING ANY KING OF TURN EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE ALREADY. ROUGH IDLE WHEN ENGINE IS COLD.
THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED WHILE PARKED. THE CAR IS TOTALED. THE CAR MOVED UP SEVERAL FEET UPON IMPACT IN PARK AND HIT THE TRAILER THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SCREEN SHOWED AN ERROR MESSAGE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THAT SAID "SERVICE AIRBAGS". THERE WAS NO PRIOR NOTIFICATION OF THIS SORT PREVIOUS TO THE ACCIDENT. THIS AIRBAG ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALERTED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE.
ENGINE LIGHT WITH ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED, TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE CAME OUT SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO SNOW ICE OR RAIN.VERY SCARY MOMENTS, NEED TO CHECK OUT.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer-scheduled an appointment but informed the contact that the part was rejected. The contact called Stocker GMC (273 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801) and Thomas Johnstown Buick GMC Sales (750 Eisenhower Blvd., Johnstown, PA 15904) and was informed that the parts were available, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MANSFIELD BUICK GMC (1400 PARK AVE W, MANSFIELD, OH 44906, (419) 529-3211) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE MISFIRES ON CYLINDER NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER THREE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,906. *CW CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKING SYSTEM PULSATES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. DEALER DETERMINED THIS WAS CAUSED BECAUSE THE FRONT AND REAR PADS WERE SLIGHTLY WARPED. VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. *DL
WE WERE DRIVING OUR BUICK ENCLAVE ON I 94 EXPRESSWAY NEAR MERRIMAN ROAD NEAR DETROIT METRO AIRPORT WHEN WE HIT A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. WE SLOWED DOWN TO 15 MPH WHEN CAR BEHIND HIT US GOING FULL HIGHWAY SPEED. THERE WERE 4 PEOPLE IN THE CAR. 2 OF THE PEOPLE (THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BEHIND THE DRIVER) DID NOT HAVE THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT HOLD. THE DRIVER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE PASSENGER HIT THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ANSWER FROM GM WAS A SIMPLE 'WELL IT SHOULD HAVE'. WE BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 13000 MILES FROM TODD WENDELL IN WESTLAND MICHIGAN. THEY SAID WHEN THEY CERTIFY A USED CAR THEY DO NOT CHECK SEAT BELTS. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CHECK ON THAT A WEEK AGO AND CALL BACK (THEY DID NOT). CALLED BACK 4 DAYS AGO AND NO RETURN CALL. GM SAID THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK AT THE CAR BUT NEVER DID. I AM ABOUT READY TO SEND TITLE TO AAA AND THE CAR WILL BE GONE. ENCLAVES HAVE A HISTORY OF SEAT BELT FAILURE. I AM HERE TO SAY THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM..THEY NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS BEFORE OTHERS ARE HURT!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR ASSISTANCE WITH DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR MORE THAN TWO MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SIMS BUICK-GMC (3100 ELM RD NE, WARREN, OH 44483, (330)-984-4690) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
MY CAR WHICH I HAVE HAD FOR 9 MONTHS IS TAKING ON WATER FROM RAIN. IT SHORTED OUT THE EGNITION SWITCH, AND AFTER RAIN YESTERDAY IT DID IT AGAIN. IT WONT TURN START AT TIMES, OR IT WONT TURN OFF! LOOKING THROUGH BUICK FORUMS THESE HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS SIENCE 2008 WITH HEAVY RAIN!
First incidence was 11/22/2018 headlights did not function nor did taillights. Manually turned them on; yet was pulled by Ga sheriff for no headlights, who escorted me to my hotel. Put car in the shop on 11/24/2018 for diagnostics. Nothing found. Lights have continuously malfunctioned for the last six years and the vehicle has been in the shop & the problem can't be reproduced! The issue has become worse to the point the lights will not always come on when manually turned on & they will go out. There are no warning lamps or messages until this last time when we were almost killed on Lookout Mountain in Al, on 5/9/2023. It was 7:23pm it was raining & the headlights went out, as did the dash lights & OnStar. This stretch of mountain is known as "Joe's Truck Stop;" because so many 18 wheelers have wrecked on this stretch of road. At the first pullover I stopped, cut car off, then restarted it & a message error was on the screen. The lights came on automatically, OnStar restarted & everything worked fine. I had just had the vehicle in my local dealership for the same issue & had it inspected, & no issues were found! This is why I don't drive this vehicle after dark & why it only has 18,000+ miles on it. I paid over $45,000 for a vehicle I can't enjoy & I could be killed & no one would know why; therefore, if I don't get some answers I'm going public. My Buick Enclave can't be the only one with this malfunction.
WAITING IN LINE AT SONIC DRIVEWAY STARTED REVERSING AT BREAKNECK SPEEDS - FINALLY STOPPED AFTE R JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A HEAVY PICKUP, AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFT SEEMED STICKY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND DECELERATED AND THE SERVICE STABILITY TRACK INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEARTH CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (608-519-4698, LOCATED AT 602 8TH ST, MONROE, WI 53566) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN ENGINEER TO THE SAME DEALER TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000. *TR *TR
HEARD A RATTLE OR FLUTTERING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT AREA OF ENCLAVE, TOOK TO DEALER ON 12/21/2017 AND WAS INFORMED AFTER HAVING A TEST DRIVE AND INSPECTION ,SOUND WAS AN A/C HOSE CONTACTING ANOTHER HOSE , DEALER IN BUFORD ,GA STATED ISSUE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE TRAVELING NORTH 12/26/17 ON INTERSTATE 85 AT APPROX. 65 MPH AND HEARD THE SAME SOUND AGAIN ONLY NOT AS LOUD CONTINUED ON TO NASHVILLE TN , WHILE TRAVELING ON NORTH ON 12/27/17 HEARD THE SOUND AGAIN ON KEPT GETTING LOUDER ,THIS TIME WAS ABLE TO SEE A SMALL BLACK OBJECT FLAPPING IN THE FRONT OF THE SUV. WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF AND UPON LOOKING AT FRONT OF MY SUV SPOTTED THAT THE BUG GUARD WAS LOOSE AND AN APPROX. 3 INCH PIECE WAS MISSING FROM BUG GUARD. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE GUARD WAS APPLIED WITH JUST ADHESIVE WHEN PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER. NOW FRONT OF VEHICLE HAS PAINT AND METAL DAMAGE FROM THIS CHEAP GM BUG GUARD!!! IN MY OPINION THIS IS A CHEAP PRODUCT THAT GM COMPANY IS OFFERING TO CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASE THEIR VEHICLES!!
AT SLOW SPEED JUST STARTING AWAY FROM TRAFFIC LIGHT IN BROWNSVILLE TX, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. GM SAYS NOT WARRANTY ISSUE
PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT HEAT PROPERLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A DISTRACTING REFLECTION FROM THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH IMPAIRED DRIVING. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUNLIGHT, IT SEEMED AS IF THE WINDSHIELD WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNTHRUP BUICK GMC (4200 I-70 NORTH OUTER RD, ST PETERS, MO 63376, (636) 939-0800) TO BE INSPECTED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125. UPDATED 11/02/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED THIS STRIP IS DESIGNED TO LIGHT UP A BLUISH GLOW AT NIGHT ACROSS THE DASH BOARD DOORS. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THERE SEEMS TO BE AN INHERENT FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE 2017 ENCLAVE UPDATED 7/16/18*JB
OUR VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. ENGINE WAS ON, ALL CONTROLS NORMAL, NO WARNING LIGHTS, ETC. AS WE BACKED OUT OF OUR PARKING SPACE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. THE CAR SLOWLY ROLLED BACKYARDS DUE TO SLIGHT INLCINE. I QUICKLY SHIFTED BACK TO PARK, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WAITED A MINUTE BEFORE RESTARTING. ALL SEEMED FINE. 2.5 WEEKS LATER, THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED AGAIN. MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS IN THE VEHICLE THE FIRST TIME AND AFTER ONLY 4 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP AS A BRAND NEW CAR. THE SECOND TIME WAS MY WIFE AND KIDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GORCERY STORE PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 1000 MILES ON IT BEFORE BEING SENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. WE TRADED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND TOOK A HEAVY LOSS AS THIS WAS THE ONLY SOLUTION OFFERED TO US. GM REFUSED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE WITH GM.
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR POWER WINDOW OPERATES DIFFERENTLY THAT OTHER CARS. IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LOWER IT WITHOUT BEING DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING. GM SAYS THE OPERATION IS NORMAL, YET OTHER GM MAKES AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS DO NOT OPERATE LIKE THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU WANT IT DOWN JUST AN INCH, YOU STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE WINDOW AT THE LEVEL YOU DESIRE. IT WILL DISTRACT ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF YOU CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO SET THE WINDOW LEVEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. UPDATED 05/30/17*LJ *CN
On the SVC list, the traction control will turn off unexpectedly & the check engine light will come on. Recently, when this occured, 01/09/2022, the vehicle would start to jerk & lose power. The vehicle eventually recovered after a few minutes at reduced speed. Speed of vehicle during these occurences was any where from 30 to 45 mph, on good asphalt road, driving at a constant speed. Will return to dealer again on 1/12/2022, car will have approxmitely 25000 on it. ADAS list, foward collision warning would not always work. Lane departure warning would sometimes turn off from a few seconds to several minutes. Dealer unable to reproduce problems, no error reading indicating problem, no bulletins from manufacture related to problems. Was told to keep driving the vehicle until something happens again, then bring it in. ( I guess I am not suppose to drive it out of town.)
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026