NHTSA has 536 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Buick Enclave[1]. The biggest groups are the power train, air bags and steering[2][3][4].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners name most, biggest first.
- Power Train. 139 complaints[2]. Owners describe shifting trouble, a car that stalls or rolls back on a hill, and engine revs that do not match the road speed.
- Air Bags. 113 complaints[3]. In the stories we read, the passenger air bag light seems to flip between on and off when an adult sits in the seat. Some owners say the dealer found nothing wrong.
- Steering. 99 complaints[4]. Owners describe shuddering or lost power assist, and one story points to a wet sensor.
- Engine. 86 complaints[7]. Owners describe a car that will not start, an engine that cuts out, and water pump trouble with overheating.
- Structure. 77 complaints[8].
- Electrical System. 73 complaints[9].
- Unknown Or Other. 37 complaints[10].
- Visibility. 22 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 Enclave is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (21V782), October 2021. About 555 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate (15V415), June 2015. About 691,144 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Air Bags › Side/Window (14V118), March 2014. About 1,176,407 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Electrical System (10V240), June 2010. About 1,365,070 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.[15]
- Electrical System (08V441), August 2008. About 857,735 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (08V410), August 2008. About 88,809 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility.[17]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD/AWD[19] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 15.5% |
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENCLAVE 4DR SUV FWD CX/CXL[20] | 202 in | 79 in | 73 in | 119 in | 4,780 lb |
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 536 | 6 |
| 2009 | 220 | 8 |
| 2010 | 275 | 6 |
| 2011 | 213 | 6 |
| 2012 | 132 | 6 |
| 2013 | 70 | 4 |
| 2014 | 292 | 7 |
| 2015 | 171 | 5 |
| 2016 | 141 | 4 |
| 2017 | 179 | 3 |
| 2018 | 66 | 0 |
| 2019 | 44 | 1 |
| 2020 | 60 | 6 |
| 2021 | 26 | 2 |
| 2022 | 14 | 1 |
| 2023 | 21 | 0 |
| 2024 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | 38 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Enclave show 536 complaints and 6 recalls for 2008[5]. Among the 20 model years listed, 19 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 0 have more[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2008 (536)[5]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2008 Enclave?
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA[1]. The power train, air bags and steering lead the list[2][3][4]. The engine group also includes reports of fires[7]. The page also lists recalls for this year[5]. Check the recall list above and ask for service records before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the common problems with the 2008 Buick Enclave?
- Owners name the power train, air bags and steering groups most often[2][3][4]. See the problems section above.
- Does the 2008 Buick Enclave have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year data shows recalls for this model year[5]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Buick Enclave?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2008 Buick Enclave reliable?
- NHTSA has 536 owner complaints on file[1]. These are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so read the problems section for the details.
- How does 2008 compare with other Enclave years?
- See the by-year comparison section of this page[5].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Buick Enclave
Compare all model years of the Buick Enclave
Similar cars from 2008: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 536 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Buick Enclave (13 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 41 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 139 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 113 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 99 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Buick Enclave model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Enclave FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 86 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,040). NHTSA vehicle records
- 77 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 26 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 73 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,430). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 115,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V782, filed October 7, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V415, filed June 30, 2015: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V118, filed March 17, 2014: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V240, filed June 4, 2010: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V441, filed August 28, 2008: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V410, filed August 14, 2008: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Enclave AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENCLAVE 4DR SUV FWD CX/CXL: length 202 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,780 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov