NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 7 recalls, 132 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Buick Enclave.
18–19 mpg combined
12.4–13.1 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2011 to 2012 Buick Enclave received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash testing, it earned four stars. Side crash protection was rated at five stars, while rollover resistance received four stars. Side pole crash testing resulted in a five-star rating. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this assessment covers the entire 2011 to 2012 range.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2012 Buick Enclave, the heaviest complaint volume clusters around structural issues and engine performance problems. On the structural side, owners report concerns with body welds and support components coming apart, along with seatbelt fraying. Engine complaints center on sudden loss of power while driving, often accompanied by a "Reduced Engine Power" warning and StabiliTrak or traction control lights triggering a limp mode. Owners describe the engine stalling at idle or cutting out completely on the highway, sometimes repeatedly over time. Fuel system components including the fuel pump and throttle body come up across multiple reports, with owners noting that repairs resolve the issue temporarily before the same symptoms return. Airbag warning lights, particularly tied to the steering wheel airbag circuit, make up the third notable cluster of reports.
132
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Buick Enclave has 7 recalls, the most serious involving the driver's frontal airbag inflator, which can rupture or explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The remaining recalls touch nearly every part of the occupant protection system. On the side and curtain airbag front, the roof rail airbags on some vehicles may not be properly anchored to the vehicle structure, and the side curtain airbags may also be insecurely attached, meaning either or both could fail to deploy correctly or deploy out of position in a crash. Separately, increased electrical resistance in the wiring for the seat-mounted side impact airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners can prevent both from firing in a side collision, leaving the driver and front passenger without that layer of protection at the moment they need it most.
Seatbelt integrity is also a concern: a steel cable inside the seatbelt assembly can fatigue and break, causing the belt to lose its ability to hold an occupant in a crash.
On the structural side, the power liftgate can lose the ability to hold itself open and drop unexpectedly, striking anyone standing underneath it. This recall covers vehicles through the 2012 model year only, so it applies to the full production run of this generation.
At a glance
What can fail
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The driver's air bag inflator may explode when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver-front airbag inflator may rupture when deploying in a crash, causing the airbag to not fully inflate and fragments to be thrown toward occupants.
What the fix does
General Motors will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealer, where they will replace the driver-front airbag module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached due to weld nut issues, which could prevent them from deploying correctly in a side-impact crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the side curtain air bag weld nuts and realign or replace them as needed at no charge to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof rail airbags may not be properly attached to the vehicle, which could prevent them from working correctly during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealer will inspect the roof rail airbag attachments and add, replace, or reposition them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The gas struts that hold the power liftgate open may wear prematurely, causing the liftgate to suddenly fall when open.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the power liftgate motor control software to prevent rapid closing of the liftgate.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The flexible steel cable connecting the seatbelt to the front outboard seats may weaken and break over time, potentially reducing seatbelt effectiveness.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the lap pretensioner at no cost once parts become available.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Corrosion or poor connections in the side air bag wiring may prevent side air bags and seat belt tighteners from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected wiring connections with soldered connections to restore proper electrical flow.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
