Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 12% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 3% | 2,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% | 25,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% | 13,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 2% | 24,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% | 64,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% | 49,000 miles |
| 2012 | 24 | 18% | 76,000 miles |
| 2011 | 25 | 12% | 53,000 miles |
| 2010 | 12 | 4% | 93,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 2008 | 77 | 14% | 86,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The rear switch on our tailgate has failed and it allows the tailgate to open/close randomly on its own while the vehicle is locked even. I contacted Buick about the problem and they said didn't care, but this can happen while the vehicle is moving down the road as well as when parked. It's not necessarily a typical safety issue that are normally recalled for, but it does pose significant safety issues if you want your car to be locked and you come back from the store and it's not and people are free to break it or if it were to happen while moving. We had this happen on our car at around 38,000 miles. From reading other Buick forums to try and figure out what the cause is, it sounds like it's a somewhat common occurrence. It's alarming that it can open while the vehicle is locked.
The liftgate of my vehicle began opening on it's own at no apparent interval, but now occurs frequently while waiting for a repair part to come in. This has happened while parked - including in public parking lots (where someone malicious could have entered the vehicle and the closed the liftgate after entering the vehicle - I would have been unaware of their presence) as well as while driving, which presents multiple safety issues including belongings falling out of the vehicle or causing an accident. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and repair and the part has been on backorder since April 20, 2026. Multiple user forums report a plethora of other individuals experiencing the same issue.
> Failed component is the front sun roof window > The shattering of the glass sounded like a bullet coming through the roof of the car. Sprayed me with glass from the implosion. I was in heavy rush hour traffic. >There are several complaints about the sun roof window just shattering. > Not at this time. >No warning or cracks in the sun roof were observed. > I was driving on the Highway at 60 mph and the front sun roof window just shattered and sprayed me with glass.
Waiting in line at sonic driveway started reversing at breakneck speeds - finally stopped afte r jumping a curb and hitting a heavy pickup, air bags did not open malfunction of vehicle several days before the gear shift seemed sticky
The lowest part of the front driver or passenger doors come to a very sharp point at the rear of the door. On nov. 11,2017 in a costco parking lot a gust of wind blew the door closed on my leg causing a deep wound from the sharp penetrating edge of the door. Costco employees performed emergency medical help to stop the massive bleeding. As of this date the wound is still being treated. (hospital has pictures) upon asking the doctor and wound nurse if I was the only one they had seen with this type of wound , I was surprised to hear them reply that I was among thousands. The cure for preventing this type of accident in the design of any vehicles front driver and passenger doors is simple. Two door cars and trucks are rounded at the low trailing edge point. Rear doors on four door cars and trucks are rounded. It should not be a big design or engineering problem to cure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. While getting cargo out of the vehicle, the tailgate closed and locked and failed to retract and reopen. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained minor hand injuries that did not require medical attention. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that water was leaking into the engine compartment and the passenger side foot well, causing the vehicle to not start. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 08-08-57-003D for (Seal Seam) (Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Motor mount broke potentially causing serious damage to the engine or more. Unknown when it broke, was noticed in routine check. Rear ac and front ac have both quit working properly twice in 2 years: 1st in 2018 and again July 2020. Rear of vehicle above wheel well keeps separating from vehicle for unknown reasons.
Related recalls (2)
Structure › Frame and members
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Enclave years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (77), 2011 (25), 2012 (24), 2010 (12) and 2009 (8) model years. Body complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Buick Enclave body problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 19V-643 (frame and members, Sep 6, 2019); 15V-415 (hatchback/liftgate, Jun 30, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Enclave body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (100 mentions), followed by the body › hatchback/liftgate (33).
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.