Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 5% | 30,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2020 | 9 | 15% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 17 | 39% | 60,000 miles |
| 2018 | 16 | 24% | 71,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 2% | 58,000 miles |
| 2016 | 10 | 7% | 27,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% | 74,000 miles |
| 2014 | 21 | 7% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 14 | 20% | 73,000 miles |
| 2012 | 13 | 10% | 89,000 miles |
| 2011 | 38 | 18% | 29,000 miles |
| 2010 | 34 | 12% | 78,000 miles |
| 2009 | 33 | 15% | 91,000 miles |
| 2008 | 139 | 26% | 82,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My wife's 2025 Buick Enclave with less than 10,000 miles (around 9,800) stranded us on the highway. Transmission was shuddering and felt like we were hitting rumble straps on acceleration. Then, we couldn't go over 18 mph, then it just stopped. Couldn't even pull off to the side of the road because the electronics wouldn't let the vehicle go into neutral to allow us to push it onto the shoulder. Eventually we got it off the Interstate to a residential area. When tow truck arrived, they couldn't get it into neutral and had to drag it onto the wrecker with generous amounts of WD-40. That can't be good for the vehicle. The vehicle is at Randy Wise Buick in Fenton, Michigan. We were lucky not to have been hit on the Interstate. Biggest worry is not the transmission problem but that we couldn't even push it off the roadway.
The car frequently just slams on the brakes on its own when reversing. Doesn't matter the speed, and nothing is behind me at all. It also triggers a check engine light with transmission errors if you get a car wash and it is even mildly cold. Transmission errors when it gets too cold or snow in the grill.
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle lost motive power and was coasted to the shoulder of the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,684.
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Enclave. While the contact's wife was attempting to park the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift into park as needed. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle was parked. The contact used bricks to chock the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failed valve body and internal transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
On the morning of October 25, 2021 at approximately 7:05 am, I was fixing to leave to go to work. The carport light was on, so I open the door to my car, slid into the driver's seat, started the car up and the lights came on. As I was starting to get out of the car to go turn the carport lights off, I realized the car was going backwards. I tried to get back into the driver's seat to try to stop the car but I was unable to do so. The door knocked me down on the concrete floor of the carport and the front left tire ran over both my legs. The car continued to go backwards, the door hit the column between the carport bays but continued to travel backwards down our approx. 11-foot paved drive way, crossed the dirt road and stopped when the back of the car went into the deep ditch that runs along the dirt road at that point. …
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at 30 to 40 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was hard to shift. The TPMS was illuminated. The contact indicated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (Power Train). The local dealer was contacted, who informed about the diagnostic fees. The contact called another local dealer, Starling Buick GMC Stuart Parts, and Starling Buick GMC Stuart Service, at 2445 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL 34994, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center, which confirmed the failure was due to the torque converter. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there was no recall or warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while idling or at a complete stop, the vehicle lunged forward upon acceleration. The contact then stated that while shifted to park, the vehicle inadvertently started. The contact also stated that she heard a screeching sound in the wheels while shifting in the first gear, and intermittently in second and third gear. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine warning light was previously illuminated; however, after driving the vehicle, the check engine light turned off. The vehicle was taken three times to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the warranty was not honored, and no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 125,639.
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, with a grinding sound coming from the transmission. A bystander pushed the vehicle to the side road, and the vehicle was later towed to the residence. The contact's husband inspected the vehicle and determined that it had experienced transmission failure. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Enclave years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (139), 2011 (38), 2010 (34), 2009 (33) and 2014 (21) model years. Transmission complaints make up 26% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Buick Enclave transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 20V-668 (automatic transmission, Oct 29, 2020); 14V-092 (automatic transmission, Feb 21, 2014); 09V-073 (column shift, Mar 6, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Enclave transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (20 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (1).
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.