CarBrief

The 2014 Buick Enclave has 292 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and 205 of them name the air bag system[1][2]. It also has 7 recalls, so check the VIN for open ones before you buy[3].

292owner complaints[1]
7recalls[3]
18–19MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 292 owner complaints for the 2014 Enclave[1]. Nine mention a crash[1]. Three mention a fire[1]. The complaints report 17 injuries in total[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[2] 205
Electrical system[6] 27
Power train[7] 21
Engine[8] 18
Unknown or other[9] 12
Seat belts[10] 11
Steering[11] 11
Brakes[12] 6

Air bags. This group dominates the list, with 205 complaints, 5 crashes and 12 injuries. The median mileage at failure is 87,750[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe the air bag warning light staying on or coming on at random, and a dealer resetting it without finding a cause. In two of the 12 texts we read, the air bags did not deploy in a crash[2].

Power train. There are 21 complaints, with 3 crashes and a median mileage of 40,000[7]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe the automatic transmission jerking, clunking, slipping or shifting hard. Two of the 12 texts describe the car rolling or sitting in a different gear than the one selected[7].

Electrical system. There are 27 complaints[6] and 1 fire report[6]. The median mileage is 63,400[6]. Owners in our sample describe sudden loss of power or stalling with warning messages. Two of the 12 texts say the repair part for recall 14V614 was not available[6].

Engine. There are 18 complaints and 2 fire reports, with a median mileage of 55,000[8]. In the sample we read, owners describe loss of power or stalling, often with warning lights, in 5 of 12 texts[8].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first.

A recall covers only the vehicles in its range, so use the VIN to see which ones apply to a given car. We do not have data on which remedies have been completed on any one vehicle.

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine, an automatic 6-speed and regular gas[4][20].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[4] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
All-wheel drive[20] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700

The EPA fuel cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, 5 stars in the frontal test, 5 stars in the side test and 4 stars for rollover[5]. Its rollover risk is 15.5%[5]. The front-wheel-drive version gets the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 16.9%[21].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows a rating of 288 hp for the 2014 Enclave[22]. The EPA fuel economy ratings list a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine[4][20].

The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and can differ slightly from US models.

All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive
Length[23][24] 202 in 202 in
Width[23][24] 79 in 79 in
Height[23][24] 73 in 73 in
Wheelbase[23][24] 119 in 119 in
Curb weight[23][24] 4,941 lb 4,744 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2008: 536 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 220 complaints, 8 recalls2010: 275 complaints, 6 recalls20102011: 213 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 132 complaints, 6 recalls20122013: 70 complaints, 4 recalls2014: 292 complaints, 7 recalls29220142015: 171 complaints, 5 recalls2016: 141 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 179 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 66 complaints, 0 recalls20182019: 44 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 60 complaints, 6 recalls20202021: 26 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 14 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 21 complaints, 0 recalls2024: 7 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 38 complaints, 0 recalls2026: 2 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Enclave model year. The 2014 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20085366
20092208
20102756
20112136
20121326
2013704
20142927
20151715
20161414
20171793
2018660
2019441
2020606
2021262
2022141
2023210
202470
2025380
202621

Among Enclave model years on file, 2014 has the second most complaints, with 292[3]. Only 2008 has more, with 536[3]. It also has the second most recalls, with 7, behind 2009 with 8[3].

The neighboring years look lighter. 2013 has 70 complaints and 4 recalls[3]. 2015 has 171 complaints and 5 recalls[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2014 Enclave?

The 2014 Enclave earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[5][21]. It also has a heavy record of complaints and recalls compared with most other years of the same model[3]. The air bag system draws the most complaints by far, with 205[2], and two of its 7 recalls involve the driver air bag inflator[13][14]. Before buying, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and ask for proof that each open recall was repaired. Also ask a mechanic to check the air bag warning light and how the transmission shifts, since owners in our sample describe both[2][7].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Buick Enclave?
Air bags draw the most complaints, with 205[2] of the 292 on file[1]. Electrical system has 27[6], power train 21[7] and engine 18[8].
Does the 2014 Buick Enclave have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7, including two driver air bag inflator recalls, a seat belt cable recall and a fuel gauge software recall[13][14][17][18][3].
What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Buick Enclave?
EPA rates the front-wheel-drive model at 19 MPG combined and the all-wheel-drive model at 18 MPG combined[4][20].
How safe is the 2014 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA gives both versions 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[5][21].
Is 2014 a good year for the Buick Enclave?
It has the second most complaints (292)[3] and second most recalls (7)[3] of the model years on file. 2013 has 70 complaints[3] and 2015 has 171[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 292 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Buick Enclave (9 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 17 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 205 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Buick Enclave model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. 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
  5. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 27 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 21 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 18 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 11 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 11 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 23V334, filed May 10, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 21V782, filed October 7, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 14V614, filed October 1, 2014: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 14V266, filed May 20, 2014: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 14V223, filed April 30, 2014: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 14V092, filed February 21, 2014: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  20. 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
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Buick Enclave with electric motor: rated 288 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENCLAVE 4DR SUV AWD BASE/LEATHER/PREMIUM: length 202 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,941 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENCLAVE 4DR SUV FWD BASE/LEATHER/PREMIUM: length 202 in, width 79 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,744 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.