Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Buick Enclave owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called and made the local dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,825.
I drove to work just fine on May 19th, 2020, when I got off work around 3pm. I started the car and as I was about to pull out on Brightleaf BLVD in smithfield, NC my car just stopped. I contacted OnStar and they pulled many codes P02AD,P0300 x2, P0305 x 2 at 126,362 miles with 73% oil life remaining. I contacted by Mechanic and was able to have it towed to his show for him to inspect it and the engine was totally seized. While I did research before purchasing this car the year before (I only average about 6k miles a year) I missed that this year and several others have a known issue that the engines can grenade themselves. I called my insurance company as I had full coverage and gap coverage they denied my claim and I was stuck with 1 $10k paperweight and no vehicle to get to and from work. GM does not care about their customers and should issue a recall on this engine for this issue. …
The check engine light has been on for over 2 years now. It turns off and on, so it makes it hard to pass the emission test. I have replaced what shows on the emission testvas failed which are both catalyc converters, oxygen sensors and I also had to replace the engine in 2018. I have spent over $10k on the car and it still has the same codes appearing. I take it to different mechanics and they tell me they don't find anything because what the emission report states is not a problem on the vehicle. They don't understand why the light is on and they all tell me this is a huge problem with Buick Enclaves. Just get rid of it and never buy another one.
The check engine light comes on and off. The dealer pulled code P0008. Engine position system performance bank. There is a bulletin out for this code, indicating the crankshaft moves and gets out of time. They said the only fix is to replace the crankshaft. The dealer advised replacing the engine, since the cost is about the same, $9,864.21. I have kept up the maintenance on the vehicle, and it has only 132,820 miles.
While driving at 60 mph around a curve with an incoming semi, the car suddenly lost power and the steering locked up. By the grace of God, we were able to avoid the semi and get it off the road. Had it towed to mechanic who said the engine was blown. Regular maintenance always kept. Just had oil changed two weeks ago. This could have been deadly!!!
On February 27, 2023 while on the road in the morning heading to work I stopped at a red light. When the light turned green my 2011 Buick GMC Enclave hesitated when I proceeded to accelerate. My vehicle moved slightly then without notice it stopped in the middle of a busy road as several cars backed up behind me as my check engine light came on. Also, while my foot was on the brakes, my vehicle was rolling backwards. In lieu to this hazard to myself and other drivers I placed my vehicle in park. My vehicle was towed at my own out of pocket expense of $125.00 in addition to $16.99 for a Lyft ride home. Two days later the auto shop informed me they checked my battery and alternator and both was good. They continued to tell me they drove my vehicle and it did not cut off or stop running. I informed them I DON'T FEEL SAFE KNOWING MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT NOTICE could they check it again. …
2011 Buick Enclave, all recalls completed. When turning into driveway from a total stop vehicle experienced unexpected acceleration and crashed through part-way up garage door, side wall of garage, (right wheel over 6" concrete foundation), pushed items stored in garage into front wall and moved wall 12" into laundry room. Vehicle stopped when left front wheel hit concrete step into service door although tire left tread mark on floor until engine turned off. Distance traveled was about 2 1/2 car lengths. Damage to right front mainly. $12,300 dealer estimated damage. Driver suffered soft tissue bruising, chipped tooth, soreness. Air bags did not deploy. Odb showed no DTC codes. Vehicle visually/manually inspected by dealer per insurance company request - nothing found. Claim filed with esis/GM central claims unit. …
On three separate occasions in the past month my car lost power while I was driving. Fortunately, I was on city streets when this occurred and I was able to coast to the side of the road and restart the engine. I brought my car in to my Buick dealer after the 2nd occurrence and they could find nothing wrong with it. When it happened again last week I noticed that right before I lost power the small wallet that is part of my key chain had fallen from the top of the steering wheel (where I keep it so it doesn't hit my leg). Thinking it May have jerked the ignition slightly and that May have been part of the power issue, I googled "Buick Enclave ignition issues" when I returned home. …
Hello - I am writing as a concerned consumer. I currently own a 2011 Buick Enclave. Two weeks ago, while driving this vehicle it started making a very loud knocking noise. The car then completely shut off and became inoperable while driving down a hill. With loss of power steering and the inability to restart the engine it became a dangerous situation trying to get the vehicle stopped and safely off the road. The vehicle was taken to a garage and it was determined that the issue was a broken timing chain. This repair required the removal of the engine to replace the timing chain. Research into Buick has shown that there is a bulletin out for this very issue but only for the 2009 model year. My 2011 was manufactured in 2010. For this very issue, Buick has extended the manufactures warranty to 120K or 7yrs. …
My regularly serviced 2011 Buick Enclave with approximately 75,000 miles on it began overheating last summer to the point when turning off the engine the radiator fan kept running. My servicing business was continually adding the recommended radiator coolant in amounts that totaled 3.7 gal. Between mid June, '18 to sept '19. I was told by the dealer the radiator holds 14.2 qts of coolant which is 3.5 gal. So it lost over its total capacity. It did the same overheating with the radiator fan running after the vehicle was turned off this past summer. There is a recall 13091 on this issue of a leaky water pump for 2008-2010 Buick enclaves as well as similar years for traverses, acadias, and outlook on hfv6 engines (ly7,llt) I was told that GM did not change the faulty water pump until 2013 on the Buick enclaves. …
Engine complaints in other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Buick Enclave, 18% of the model year's 213 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Buick Enclave engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2011 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 2011 Buick Enclave engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.