NHTSA has 213 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Buick Enclave[1]. Steering is the biggest group, with 41 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
These are the groups owners name most often in NHTSA complaints.
- Steering. 41 complaints[2]. Owners describe whining noises and a leaking steering rack or pump, with dealers saying parts needed replacing.
- Power Train. 38 complaints[6]. Owners describe the SUV rolling backward on hills when they lift off the brake, and some say it rolls forward too.
- Engine. 38 complaints[7]. Owners describe overheating from coolant leaks, a failed water pump, and the engine losing power while driving.
- Air Bags. 38 complaints[8]. Owners describe a service air bag light that comes back after dealer repairs, sometimes over several visits.
- Structure. 25 complaints[9]. This group also carries the most injuries of any group here, 10[9].
- Electrical System. 21 complaints[10].
- Speed Control. 14 complaints[11].
- Electronic Stability Control. 11 complaints[12].
These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 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.[13]
- Air Bags › Critical Fasteners (21V246), April 2021. About 108 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- 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.[15]
- Seat Belts (14V266), May 2014. About 1,339,355 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- 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.[17]
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (12V151), April 2012. About 47,846 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
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
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2011 Buick Enclave with 3.6L 6-cylinder[21] | 288 hp |
How 2011 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 213 complaints and 6 recalls for 2011[3]. Among the 20 model years listed, 15 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 4 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2008 (536)[3]. 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 2011 Enclave?
The complaint record for this Enclave is spread across several systems rather than one[1]. Steering leads, with the power train, engine and air bags close behind[2][6][7][8]. Air bag complaints stand out for crashes, with 10 mentioning one[8]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what owners reported, not a failure rate. Check the recalls and compare years on this page before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Buick Enclave?
- Owners filed 213 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Steering has the most at 41[2], and the power train, engine and air bags each have 38[6][7][8].
- Does the 2011 Buick Enclave have recalls?
- Yes. The count is 6[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one.
- Is the 2011 Buick Enclave reliable?
- The record shows 213 owner complaints[1] across steering, power train, engine and air bags[2][6][7][8]. Those counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them as a guide only.
- How many miles do owners report engine problems at?
- For the engine group, the median mileage at failure in complaints is 76,750[7].
- What is the gas mileage and crash rating?
- See the fuel economy and safety sections on this page. They are built from EPA and NHTSA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Buick Enclave
Compare all model years of the Buick Enclave
Other Buick models from 2011
Similar cars from 2011: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 213 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Buick Enclave (14 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 18 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,441). 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: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 25 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,534). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,538). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,407). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,633). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V782, filed October 7, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V415, filed June 30, 2015: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V266, filed May 20, 2014: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V118, filed March 17, 2014: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V151, filed April 9, 2012: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Enclave AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 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, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2011 Buick Enclave with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 288 hp. www.epa.gov