Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Buick Enclave owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that upon attempting to turn off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact stated that her husband, who was a mechanic, had inspected underneath the hood and noticed that the wiring harness underneath the engine was melting. The contact's husband scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes that indicated a computer module failure. The contact's husband purchased the module, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the module was installed and flashed; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact's husband diagnosed that the wiring harness failure had caused the battery to overcharge and fail. The contact's husband replaced the battery and the alternator; however, the failure persisted. …
At 65,000 Transmission went out 100,000 Electrical issue due to lose ground wire under fuse box 121,000 Electrical issue caused battery to drain and vehicle not turn off. Even if key out of ignition 121,000 Driver Side Curtain Airbags deployed when battery replaced
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was a burning odor and the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000. Updated 7/28/15 the consumer continued to get an error message from the battery charging system. The battery and the alternator were replaced. Updated 08/11/15
I purchased my vehicle January 2014. Since then I have had major issues with it leaking when it rains,. Water enters the sunroof and drips throughout the vehicles overhead as well as soaks the passenger side carpet. Water drips from the visor, the overhead lights (which could result in an electrical fire) in the front middle and back of the vehicle it seeps through the seat belt height adjusters and the area where the side airbags deploy (which could cause deploy issues). The problem has gotten so bad my vehicle is starting to smell like mold and I am afraid that after a year of this problem mold has grown under the carpet as well as in the overhead foam. My biggest concern is if my child is exposed to this for an extended period of time it will flair up his asthma. A child with asthma is very sensitive to mold and mildew and he is very sensitive as well as has allergies to mold. …
My 2008 Buick Enclave has been an accident waiting to happen the entire life of the car. My main concern is the power steering. It has gone out 5-6 times in the 8 years I have owned the vehicle.if you would like invoice of each time/date I have them with the exact problem. Five or 6 times it went out.-- three at slow speed low RPM trying to turn in the city and at 6 1 wt 230 it took all my strength not to hit a car head on during the turn.three on the interstate turning off exit an higher speed. If my daughter or granddaughter had been driving in the city they would have been dead. Buick extended the power steering warranty to 150;000 miles . I had the last power steering pump put in at 149,432 miles 11/23/16. My concern to you and Buick is about every 25K power steering goes out. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure recurred approximately 25-40 times. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 30,000. The consumer stated he heard a clicking noise whenever he turned the steering wheel. The dealer replaced the power steering pump, power steering gear, steering column . The consumer stated he would loose power steering assist when driving and the steering wheel would lock up. , there was excessive play in the steering. The consumer hit a pillar, when the steering locked up, and caused damage to the vehicle. …
I own a 2008 Buick Enclave which was parked stationary in my driveway on March 24th 2016. As I exited my home and attempted to unlock my vehicle I was surprised by a cloud of smoke that was released by the front passenger airbag. It had deployed for no apparent reason. Damaging the dash, radio, and destroying the windshield glass. I immediately contacted GM service department in which they sent out a tow truck to remove my vehicle from my premises and shipped it to a ed rinke Chevrolet service department. Their investigator claims that there was a previous crack in the windshield that caused the 12" of standing water damage on my floorboards and in the airbag sensor module. There was no crack... So after being inconvenienced for almost a month, GM claims that the windshield was an aftermarket product and that they've got no responsibility for the deployment or totaled vehicle damages. …
In 2014 our Enclave began having a popping noise in the audio system. All sounds, radio, dvd, turn signals, warning chimes, stopped working. After the vehicle sat for a time the audio would work again. It happened several times with the last time occurring May 5, 2015. On May 5, 2015 the audio started making a loud, ear piercing popping noise which almost caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. My two young children were also in the vehicle right next to the rear speakers. The only way to stop the noise was to pull the vehicle to the side of a busy highway, turn the vehicle off and open the driver door. (to turn the power to the radio off) the audio has not returned this time. This is happening to most 2008 enclaves at around 70-75K miles. Buick refuses to assist as usual. Without the audio system working, all warning chimes are silent. …
For about 6 months my radio has been going in and out like it is shorting out or something. At the same time my put seat belt, turn signal, car open anything with sound goes in and out of working with the sound. My radio sometimes worked sometimes doesn't. Today was blow out sound and I could not turn the sound down or off. It was like poltergist. Thank god it did not happen when I was driving. It scared me half to death. I turned my car off and on again to see if it would go away. I finally called my husband said I cant drive my car with this sound. About 5 minutes later I tried again just to see what would happen now I have no sound for radio, fasten seat belt nothing. Not sure if poltergist will be back but this is a real problem. This is not an isolated incident now that I have been on line. Buick has a recall on their hands. Something is seriously wrong with the Enclave electrical
While the vehicle is stationary, with the shift lever in the park position, the key cannot be removed from the ignition switch on an intermittent basis. The engine shuts off, and the key turns toward the off position but the instrument panel remains lighted and the key will not turn to the off position so that it May be removed. Not a good anti-theft device for certain! The shift lever can be moved when the "stuck key" issue is going on and the vehicle will roll down any incline large or small if the shift lever moved from park. I have heard of "stuck key" issues with many other GM vehicles and am wondering if a recall will be issued. I called a local GM dealership and the service department had no information regarding any recall for the "stuck key" issue regarding my vehicle.
Related recalls
Electrical system
GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…
Electrical system
GM is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system.
Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com;…
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Electrical complaints in other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Buick Enclave, 14% of the model year's 536 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Buick Enclave electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010); NHTSA recall 08V-441 (electrical system, Aug 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Buick Enclave electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.