Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Buick Enclave owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed again that the timing chain had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the issue would be escalated. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, there was a knocking noise coming from the vehicle prior to starting the engine. After starting the vehicle, the noise became louder. While operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated and a humming noise was present. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who indicated that the transmission gear was faulty. The vehicle was serviced however, the failure persisted. No further information was available. In addition, after refueling the vehicle would not immediately startup. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
I purchased a 2010 Buick Enclave from a dealer who did not disclose any major issues with the vehicle. After purchase, I began experiencing significant problems while driving, including difficulty shifting, loss of power, and unstable handling. Concerned for my safety, I took the Buick to a mechanic for inspection. The mechanic verified that: The wrong transmission had been installed in the vehicle, causing unsafe shifting and performance issues. The driveshaft was malfunctioning, which affects the stability and control of the SUV. No warning or check engine lights were on CV axel bolts were zip tied closed Because of these defects, the mechanic told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. These problems were never disclosed to me at the time of sale, and I would not have purchased the vehicle had I known.
In 2017@75,477 miles my car lost power on the highway, could not get it to go over 40mph. Drove to dealer & turned out to be timing chain which is a known issue in my type of car. Dealer repaired car at warranty price, even though my warranty had run out & took 40% off since I had been such a great customer. They had some kind of incentive money available.fast forward to April 2019 @ 95,000 mikes, car is losing power again on highway especially when merging, must floor gas pedal to get car to go, engine light on intermittently at first, but now on permanently, timing chain code (p0008) comes up & dealer says it will be an estimated cost of $2500 to repair, must pull engine again. Timing chain repair from 2017 only under warranty for 1 year or 12,000. I went 2 years & 20,000 since repair. Dealer only willing to discount repair needed now @ 25%. …
Mileage 85,717: driving on interstate at 70 MPH vehicle lost power, was luckily able to pull off and restart to make it home. Next morning vehicle would start, but immediately shut off. Towed vehicle to local mechanic who stated it was stretched timing chain, common occurrence in Enclave, acadia, and transverse. Reported issue to GM who referred me to certified GM dealer, vehicle was towed to that location at my expense, sat there for a week before I received any info which was stretched timing chain, already known information. I called GM back who stated they my case had already been closed out for power lift gates and there was no documentation for the stretched timing chain, after 1 hour and 25 minutes on the phone I was told that there was no assistance for the timing chain that I would be responsible for the $2000 repair bill along with $105 for the diagnostic test. …
Without any warning signals our timing chain stretched and slipped on our 2010 Buick Enclave. It caused significant damage to the engine. The engine completely died while in motion, stopping the vehicle from movement in the middle of the road. I was luckily on a country dirt road without much traffic, otherwise this could have gone very bad on the highway or interstate. The 2007- 2009 Buick Enclave has this same know issue with a recall, and from what I have been told by our mechanic the parts used in the 2010's are the same. It is irritating that there has not been a recall with the 2010 and later, I've seen several reports of the 2010 having the same issues. I have not received my car back from the repair shop, but can provide a invoice once one is available to me.
Vehicle losses power, engine light came on, codes p0008, p0017, p0009- took it to shop and they said the oil was 3 qts low. I just had it changed within 60 days. They changed the oils and cleared the codes which were showing. I also had transmission fluid changes and a new front left transaxle installed. Wife drive the vehicle home, which is within 3 miles of shop. Engine came back on with the same three codes given above. Caleed back to shop next day, they said engine would have to be pulled and the chart said about a 21 hours job (they charge $68/hr). And said it would be about $2500 to fix. I see many posts online with this vehicle concerning this same issue. There should have been some type of recall on the timing chains/belts in these cars and like models.
Driving onto the interstate I lost speed, the RPM came up to 3500 but no speed. Cars were honking giving me the middle finger. I moved to the side and got a flat tire. A state patrol came along and was going to ticket me. I told him what happened and he told me he sees this every other month with this model and the Chevy traverse. We were almost ran over by a large truck. If something happens to my family I'm coming after your a---. GM has known about this transmission problem sence 2008. The internet has hundreds of complaints, I will make sure you pay and I mean big. Why don't GM recall this carp and fix them. We gave them billions and they never paid it all back. Let's get together and wake these wasted humans up.
2010 Buick Enclave was driving at approximately 50mph, engine stuttered, lost power, and would not accelerate. Pulled over and engine would not restart. Towed to local repair shop and found the engine had blown, gears blew apart, timing chain shot. Full engine replacement costing almost $7,000. Mileage was 178,222. Additional issues to include rear suspension parts, brakes, rotors, wheel bearings (twice) due to defective parts. Rear lateral links both upper and lower (twice due to defective parts). Car still does not ride properly after second replacement of parts and 4 all wheel alignments. Car sways terribly and rocks especially during higher winds. Very hard to keep on the road and dangerous.
Car had reduced speed and white smoke 11/15 41,000 miles towed to dealership and they replaced number 5 injector car. 2/4/17 car has 49,584 miles and had to he towed again to dealership same issue reduced speed white smoke, was told all 6 injectors need to be replaced, water pump, timing cover, steering gear and timing belt. This car has too many issues to have such few miles. I did call several other garages to see if they could give estimate as I don't trust dealership, they will not work on the Enclave motors. There are also too many recalls in my opinion on this vehicle. After reading all the complaints there is a problem with the steering on this vehicle.
Transmission complaints in other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Buick Enclave, 12% of the model year's 275 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Buick Enclave transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Buick Enclave, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Buick Enclave transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
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.