NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator may explode when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
This page covers 5 recalls, 139 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Buick Enclave.
17–18 mpg combined
13.1–13.8 L/100km
Standard 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.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Airbag-related complaints dominate what owners report for the 2016 Buick Enclave by a wide margin, making up the vast majority of the complaint volume. Owners frequently describe situations where airbag repairs appear in service records as completed but the underlying issue remains unresolved, and several report being told by dealers that replacement parts are not yet available, leaving vehicles in an unrepaired state for extended periods. Outside of airbags, a smaller number of owners report powertrain concerns, and a handful describe recurring spark plug failures, some noting that plugs were replaced twice within a short window only to fail again shortly after.
139
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Buick Enclave has 5 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The remaining recalls touch on occupant protection, seating, and fire risk. On the airbag side, the side curtain airbags in certain vehicles may not be properly attached to their mounting points, meaning they can fail to deploy correctly or stay in position in a crash, leaving occupants exposed to side impact forces. Seating is also a concern: certain vehicles built within a narrow production window have a third-row left seat frame with welds that may be in the wrong location, which means the seat structure can give way in a crash rather than holding the occupant in place. The wiper motor in some 2016 models built during another short production window can overheat during use, which raises the risk of a fire starting under the hood. Note that the airbag inflator defect, which is the most severe issue here, has been the subject of prior repair attempts that did not fully resolve the problem, so owners who believe their vehicle was previously serviced for this issue should confirm with a dealer whether the remedy is still open.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator may explode when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
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Driver Assistance
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 →
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'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 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 third row left lower seat frame may have welds in incorrect locations, potentially affecting seat structural integrity.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the third row left seat frame and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor can overheat during use due to a manufacturing defect in the motor cover assembly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.