KnownCarProblems2016 Buick Enclave Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Buick Enclave, most often about the air bags (78% of complaints). It is 8th of 19 Enclave model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2016 Buick Enclave problems
Air bags
110 complaints · 78%We were involved in a motor vehicle accident on I-79 in pennsylvania where we were struck from the rear we were stopped in traffic the impact was severe it knocked the rear tire completely off. There was smoke coming in the vents of the front of the car and the air bags did not deploy. The front passenger seat belts…
2016 Buick Enclave had a service airbag light/message illuminated on dashboard continuously. I brought the vehicle into the dealership for a diagnostic test & the issue is the wiring harness for the passenger side airbag. When the technician moves the wiring harness the light comes & goes. Additionally, I found…
Transmission
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Transmission failure at 27,125 miles. While at a stop sign at a busy intersection, went to proceed and had no power to move. Engine was running fine. Got vehicle to a dealership and they found 3-5 reverse snap ring groove had sheared off and metal went throughout the transmission. Dealership informed me they had four…
Driving vehicle would not get out of first gear. Decide to get vehicle home so I turned around and found that I did not have reserve also. On way back home transmission made a loud clunking sound and the check engine light came on. Was able to get home and park the car. Called tow truck to take to the dealers. This…
Engine
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the vehicle was using an excessive amount of oil before scheduled oil changes. The engine low indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to classic arlington Buick gmc (1400 e. I-20 hwy, arlington, tx 76018) where the oil consumption test was…
My car isn't leaking any oil so it is burning it and its it's under warranty still but they won't fix anything on it and other year and make models are having the same problem.
Electrical
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel.
2016 Buick Enclave had a service airbag light/message illuminated on dashboard continuously. I brought the vehicle into the dealership for a diagnostic test & the issue is the wiring harness for the passenger side airbag. When the technician moves the wiring harness the light comes & goes. Additionally, I found…
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while accelerating, the fourth gear jumped to the fifth gear and was stuck. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission specialist test-drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 5%Brought the car in earlier this year because the car was stalling. They told me it may have been a lose cable, but likely was nothing. In the last 3 weeks the car has stalled 3 times with my kids in the car. I brought the car in 3 days ago and they looked at it and said nothing was wrong with it. Yesterday it stalled…
Collision alert system does not work all the time. More time not the alert will not go off, while driving on highways. Approaching a slowing vehicle in front at a more rapid speed the alert will not signal being to close.
Body and structure
3 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. While getting cargo out of the vehicle, the tailgate closed and locked and failed to retract and reopen. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained minor hand injuries that did not require medical attention. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer…
The lowest part of the front driver or passenger doors come to a very sharp point at the rear of the door. On nov. 11,2017 in a costco parking lot a gust of wind blew the door closed on my leg causing a deep wound from the sharp penetrating edge of the door. Costco employees performed emergency medical help to stop…
Steering
3 complaints · 2%I have a 2016 Buick Enclave - the have exceeded my warranty by approximately by approximately 7,000 miles noticed that the vehicle had begun making squealing sound mainly when turning. Took it to my local mechanic and he confirmed a leak from the power steering hose. He found that there is a published service bulletin…
Power steering has started failing when turning, making it extremely hard to turn the steering wheel. Seems worse at slow speed. Happens whenever and wherever I try to turn the steering wheel. Will drive okay when going straight. Made appointment for service. I suspect power steering pump needs replaced, but just…
Seat belts
3 complaints · 2%We were involved in a motor vehicle accident on I-79 in pennsylvania where we were struck from the rear we were stopped in traffic the impact was severe it knocked the rear tire completely off. There was smoke coming in the vents of the front of the car and the air bags did not deploy. The front passenger seat belts…
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that a message indicating that the front passenger's side seat belt was not buckled and that the front passenger's side air bag was enabled was displayed, even though the front passenger's side seat was not occupied. Additionally, the contact received…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Buick Enclave recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Gm began mailing final owner letters february 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through december 2025. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n232404980.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2014-2017 buick enclave, chevrolet traverse, and gmc acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats
Risk: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on january 29, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. Gm's number for this recall is 21930.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016 chevrolet traverse, gmc acadia, and buick enclave vehicles manufactured november 6, 2015, to november 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Gm has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, gm will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on september 30, 2015. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is 15780.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016 chevrolet traverse, gmc acadia, and buick enclave vehicles manufactured august 18, 2015 to september 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Buick Enclave
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Buick Enclave?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (110 complaints); transmission (10 complaints, typically around 25,500 miles); engine (9 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Buick Enclave have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 10, 2023 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Buick Enclave?
- It is 8th of 19 Enclave model years by number of complaints, with 141 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.