CarBrief

Air bags are the biggest complaint area on the 2015 Buick Enclave, Air bags are the biggest complaint area on the 2015 Buick Enclave, with 105 of the 171 complaints on file naming them[1][2]. Check every recall by VIN before you buy, because several involve a driver air bag inflator that may explode[3][4][5]. involve a driver air bag inflator that may explode[3][4][5].

171owner complaints[1]
5recalls[6]
18–19MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 171 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Enclave[1]. Of these, 7 mention a crash, 0 a fire, and 6 an injury[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[2] 105
Electrical system[9] 14
Unknown or other[10] 13
Steering[11] 12
Engine[12] 12
Brakes[13] 10
Seat belts[14] 6
Speed control[15] 6

Air bags. The median mileage at failure for air bag complaints is 97,000. One of them mentions a crash and one an injury[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaint texts we read, 6 describe a warning light that came on or a service message, sometimes after repeat dealer visits[2]. Another 5 are about the driver air bag recall, with owners saying the repair part was not yet available when they contacted a dealer[2].

Steering. There are 12 steering complaints, with a median of 75,000 miles[11]. One mentions a crash and one an injury[11]. In the sample of 12 texts, 7 describe steering that is hard to turn or locks up[11]. Four describe a power steering pump, hose or rack that leaked or was replaced[11].

Engine. There are 12 engine complaints, with a median of 74,000 miles and no crashes or injuries[12]. In the 11 texts we read, 4 describe a sudden loss of power, limp mode or stalling[12].

Electrical. There are 14 electrical complaints, with a median of 63,393 miles and no crashes or injuries[9]. In a sample of 12 texts, 4 mention a side detection or similar alert system that stopped working[9].

Brakes. Brake complaints are few at 10, but they include 3 crashes and 2 injuries[13]. The median mileage is 59,796[13].

Seat belts and speed control. Each group has 6 complaints[14][15]. Seat belts include 1 crash and 3 injuries[14]. Speed control includes 1 crash and 2 injuries[15].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[6]. Newest first.

These recalls may not all apply to your exact vehicle. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before you buy.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the front-wheel-drive Enclave at 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550[7]. The all-wheel-drive version is rated 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined, at $3,700 a year[18]. Both use a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine, an automatic 6-speed and regular fuel[7][18]. EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive Enclave 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal crashes, 5 for side crashes and 4 for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[8]. The front-wheel-drive version gets the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 16.9%[19].

Engine and size

The EPA Test Car List rates a 2015 Enclave (listed with an electric motor) at 288 hp[20]. Size figures below are Canadian-market specifications, converted from metric, and can differ slightly from US models.

AWD FWD
Length[21][22] 202 in 202 in
Width[21][22] 79 in 79 in
Height[21][22] 72 in 72 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 119 in 119 in
Curb weight[21][22] 4,923 lb 4,725 lb

How 2015 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 recalls20142015: 171 complaints, 5 recalls17120152016: 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 2015 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20085366
20092208
20102756
20112136
20121326
2013704
20142927
20151715
20161414
20171793
2018660
2019441
2020606
2021262
2022141
2023210
202470
2025380
202621

The 2015 Enclave has 171 complaints and 5 recalls on file[6]. Six model years have more complaints: 2008 (536), 2014 (292), 2010 (275), 2009 (220), 2011 (213) and 2017 (179)[6]. The 2016 model has 141 complaints and 4 recalls, and the 2017 model has 3 recalls[6]. The 2014 model has 7 recalls[6]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2015 Enclave?

The 2015 Enclave has 5-star overall, frontal and side ratings[8][19]. Its 171 complaints are fewer than six other model years of the Enclave[6]. The main concern is the driver air bag inflator recalls, which carry a risk of serious injury or death[3][4][5]. Owners in the complaint sample say parts were not yet available for two of them[2]. Before buying, check the VIN for open recalls and ask the seller or a dealer whether the air bag part is in stock. Steering and air bag warning lights are also worth testing on a drive[11][2].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Buick Enclave?
Air bags are the largest complaint group, with 105 of 171 complaints on file[1][2]. Electrical system has 14 complaints, and steering and engine have 12 each[9][11][12].
Does the 2015 Buick Enclave have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5, including three for the driver air bag inflator, one for side curtain air bags and one for tires[3][4][5][16][17][6].
What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Buick Enclave?
The EPA rates FWD at 19 MPG combined and AWD at 18 MPG combined[7][18].
How safe is the 2015 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover[8][19].
Is the 2015 Enclave a worse year than 2014?
By NHTSA counts, 2014 has more complaints (292) and recalls (7) than 2015 (171 and 5), though counts are not adjusted for sales[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 171 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Buick Enclave (7 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 105 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 23V334, filed May 10, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 22V246, filed April 14, 2022: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 21V782, filed October 7, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Buick Enclave model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,393). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,037). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 12 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 12 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 10 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,796). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 6 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 6 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 15V044, filed January 28, 2015: Tires. NHTSA recall database
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Buick Enclave with electric motor: rated 288 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENCLAVE 4DR SUV AWD: length 202 in, width 79 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,923 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENCLAVE 4DR SUV FWD: length 202 in, width 79 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,725 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.