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 2011 Buick Enclave owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at highway speeds, with cruise control set the vehicle started to violently shake almost causing me to lose control of the vehicle. After having the vehicle inspected I was informed that the transmission is known to have an issue with the 3rd and 5th clutch pack causing the vehicle to shake when they are trying to engage. This is no lights on the dash and no other warning signs of said issue. I have an appointment to have the issue resolved which entails to have the transmission either rebuild or replaced.
I have had my car looked at and my camshaft reductor wheel/valve is broken. This happened very unexpectedly and almost caused a serious accident at highway speeds. I was able to drift the car to the shoulder from the middle lane, but almost was hit by a semi when my car randomly stalled out in the middle of I-5. This is a problem I have sense researched and has happened to many others with the same car and model year.
I was driving and the other person ran the stop light and hit my car making me go in and hit another car from the other side.
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. …
I own a 2011 Buick Enclave. The vehicle rolls backwards in drive on an incline when I take my foot of the accelerator and roles forward when on a decline when in reverse. The vehicle will continue to roll until I apply the brakes. I actually have to work the brake and accelerator just to control the vehicle. Especially difficult to handle when trying to park it in hilly situations. The hill does not have to be steep at all for this to happen. But, the steeper the hill the more dangerous this rolling can be. I almost rolled into a fence while trying to back out of a parking space on an decline. I've had numerous close calls when parking or someone behind me is close to my rear bumper on an incline. I taken the vehicle to the dealer ship and they say that just the way the vehicle. No recall on this. GM does not recognize the rolling issue as a hazard . …
2011 Buick Enclave "engine hot A/C off" and then "engine overheated idle engine" and then "engine power reduced" messages came on in quick succession (w/in less than 1.5 miles) at 10:00 p.m. I was driving on suburban streets when this issue occurred. Took into dealer first thing the next morning and was told the water pump was leaking and needed to be replaced. I mentioned April 2013 TSB #13079 related to leaking water pump shaft and was told that had expired. Water pump was subject of extended warranty coverage for 2008-2010 enclaves (#13091). Water pump is covered under powertrain warranty (100,000 miles or 5 years -- my vehicle has 79,738 miles and warranty expired 10//15). Called Buick customer service to inquire about this issue. Was told dealership would have to determine any financial assistance. …
December 2014 lift gate was up and suddenly came down and hit my wife with great force. This happened twice but not consistently. Subsequently was taken to a Chevrolet/GM dealership, found both struts not holding pressure and were replaced at owner's expense. On the morning of January 9,2015 driving during a snow storm on an interstate suddenly vehicle lost stabiltrab,traction control and engine power was reduced to 15 MPH. Due to the weather traffic was going slower than normal. Car driven to a Chevrolet/GM dealer where the throttle body was replaced at owner's expense. On January 14, 2015 owner brought car to have power steering pump replaced due to GM September 2014 notice and owner informed that power steering rack was leaking. Although not replacing the power steering rack would lead to failure of the new power steering pump, this component was not covered. …
Ever since I bought this vehicle it rolls backwards when in park.,I told the dealer about it and they say it's common. What ever that means. I put up with this until now that I am parking it in a small garage and when I park it it rolls back and the overhead door hits the bumper and flies back open. One time I parallel parked on a incline and it rolled back into the car parked behind me.luck for me no real damage. Glad I live in florida where there are not to many hills to park on. But every time I go on vacation it gets more and more dangerous. There has to be something that can be adjusted or tightened up to stop this, please respond to my problem as to what can be done.
I am not sure where transmission falls in the above list. Ever since I purchased the vehicle it rolls backwards when stopped on a hill. I have to use both feet to keep it from rolling back and hitting the car behind me. I was trying to back up in a parking space that was up hill and it rolls forward also. I asked the dealership not long after I discovered this issue and their response was oh it is supposed to do that. I find that hard to believe, it is dangerous. It's not like this is a 5 speed with a clutch but that is how you have to treat it on hills.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle on a slight incline with the transmission in drive, the vehicle would roll backwards down the hill. During the failure, the brakes and power steering also became inoperable. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer carl black Chevrolet Buick GMC (11500 east colonial dr, orlando, fl 32817) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 138,000. The VIN was not available.
Transmission complaints in other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Buick Enclave, 18% of the model year's 213 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Buick Enclave transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.