Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Buick Enclave owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and decelerating to make a turn, the vehicle experienced a hard shift. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the same assessment was made, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
The Buick did a hard turn to the left, without any action of the driver, and went into an uncontrollable counterclockwise spin and hit the concrete divider. Prior to the accident the Buick was traveling in the right south bound lane of US 75 with the traffic flow. There was a light rain and no one was changing lanes or speeding. No other vehicle skidded or went out of control. The cause of the accident was not the weather or driver error. Possible causes for the accident are: faulty steering system, faulty antiskid system, or a computer glitch. The dealer would not talk to us. The Buick has not been inspected. No one will inspect it.
GM has known about the issues with their transmission in the 2014 -2017 Buick Enclave models. They were found under NHTSA Technical Service Bulletin: 18-NA-358 dated October 2020. I have reported this problem to GM, with the information that they requested. The issue here is that the manufacturer currently has a class-action lawsuit filed against it and will have another if they refuse to acknowledge the failures of their transmission in this vehicle. The following expert from the TSB states the following: Some customers may comment that the vehicle may have a severe launch shudder in 1st gear from a stop, or while driving along when in 4th gear, or during the 2-3 upshift or 3-2 downshift. …
For the past month, I had been unable to start the vehicle unless I would turn the key without fully starting the vehicle and having to shift to each gear until I would be able to start it. It would start in any gear, but mostly in neutral. Now, on September 25, 2024, I stopped at a shopping center and I was unable to turn the vehicle on at all and it is now stuck in that parking lot. I had not been able to report it because Hurricane Helene hit (September 26, 2024) and we just got power, but phone lines and internet are not stable and cut off in the middle of calls and we have issues uploading documents. I called GM about the issue yesterday and they said because my VIN is not on the recall list that I have to pay for my car to be towed ($89 hook up fee plus $8 per mile) and I have to pay for any repairs. …
The engine, power steering, stabilitrak, and reduced engine power (vehicle would essentially die while driving at random times). My safety AND others were put at risk when I am traveling down the road/interstate and the engine just cuts out and am no longer able to accelerate to any speeds, causing me to have to pull over to the shoulder WITHOUT ANY ENGINE POWER. Yes, the problem has reproduced and confirmed with the dealer I purchased from. Vehicle has not been inspected by the above mentioned. Only had it inspected by the dealer I purchased the vehicle from. There were no prior lamps, messages, or other symptoms until it just showed up while driving one day. It happens at the same time as the engine loses power and acceleration. …
The Service Air Bags indicator has been on for 3 years and I have tried to get this taken care of with Buick, East Side Madison as I have indicated on another complaint form December 06 2024 NHTSA ID Number: 11629225. Now, today my daughter tried to open the door and the car's electrical system went haywire and would not let her out. I had to manually get a key to unlock the door. The electrical system is now not functioning correctly. A relative just had the same thing happen, couldn't get out of her car, the car started on fire and she couldn't get out and was burned alive. I would like the manufacture to repurchase this car as soon as possible. It is not safe and I am afraid someone is going to get killed in this car if it is not taken off the road. Please let me know if we can get this done without lawyers involved. Thank you. [redacted]
The vehicle began shuddering and losing power during normal driving. The issue occurs at various speeds, especially between 35-60 mph, and feels as though the car is slipping or will stall. A certified service center diagnosed a failing torque converter, which is part of the transmission/power train. The repair estimate was several thousand dollars. This failure poses a safety risk because the vehicle can suddenly lose acceleration or struggle to move in traffic. The service center confirmed the defect but stated there is no recall or assistance from Buick or GM. I have contacted Buick Customer Care and GM Executive offices with no response. The vehicle remains unsafe to drive.
At 85,000mi my transmission failed while driving on the highway. The dealership kept the transmission so it can not be inspected. This was extremely dangerous with my whole family in the car too. No lights illuminated on the dash board just rpm flew up with the vehicle not moving. There were no indications that anything was going to fail. No stored or active codes were detected in the vehicle. The issue I was told was the problem was #16-NA-013 No Reverse, No Third. This issue is supposed to only be on 2016 vehicles and mine was the first. The dealership stapled this #16-NA-013 document to my invoice. The only fix was an entirely new transmission for $7500.
I bought the vehicle in December 2020 from a dealership in Mason, Ohio named Borcherding Buick GMC. I asked, specifically to make sure the vehicle did not have any issues, especially transmission issues and for this to be researched, as well. I was not made aware of Bulletin No.: 18-NA-358, which affected Buick Enclave models from 2014-2017. I purchased the vehicle and sent a wire transfer for the purchase price to the dealership through my bank, USAA. We began experiencing transmission slips about a year into the ownership, and I had my mechanic look into the issue. He had just replaced the transmission on my wife's 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan previously when it experienced a catastrophic failure and had to be replaced. This is the reason I asked to make sure the transmission on the 2014 Buick Enclave was working correctly and properly and there were no known issues. …
1)Numerous Gas Cap 'red warnings' were fixed each time 2)Driver-side 'Seat Belt'. Fixed. 3)Check engine light 'off and on' will quit after 5-10 minutes 4)Stabilitrak/Traction-control (red light warnings), on and off, finally stayed on: Took back to Parsons of Antigo, WI dealership for repair; they said it was fixed. I left dealership at their closing time, started car, the car was shaking, called dealership/told them what was happening/they said bring it back on Monday-this was a Thursday evening after 6 PM! a. I had to drive this 'shaking-car' home approximately 35 miles away, while going about 30-40 mph/in a shaking car, seems car wanted to stop. Very frightening in the dark night. b.I had a wrecker come and take the car back to dealership. I do not care to deal with dealership after this-I changed to different dealership. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014.
Transmission complaints in other Enclave years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Buick Enclave, 7% of the model year's 292 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Buick Enclave transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-092 (automatic transmission, Feb 21, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Buick Enclave transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries 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.