CarBrief

Owner complaints on the 2017 Enclave are mostly about air bags, with 145 of 179 total complaints naming them[1][2]. Air bag recalls apply, so check recall status before you buy or keep one[3][4][5].

179owner complaints[2]
3recalls[6]
17–18MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 179 owner complaints for the 2017 Enclave[2]. Six mention a crash, none a fire, and 6 injuries are reported[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Air bags. 145 complaints name this group, with 4 crashes and 2 injuries[1]. The median mileage at failure is 64,000[1]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe two things. Four of 12 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[1]. Eight of 12 say the recall repair part was not available yet, and a few of them say they worried about driving in the meantime[1].

Electrical system. 8 complaints, with no crashes or injuries[9]. In a sample of 8 we read, 2 describe battery trouble and 2 describe lights or warning lights acting up[9].

Everything else is small. Unknown or other has 6 complaints[10]. Speed control and engine have 5 each[11][12]. Seat belts, structure and power train have 4 each[13][14][15]. The seat belt group stands out only for severity: its 4 complaints include 3 crashes and 5 injuries[13]. With counts this small, we would not call any of these a common problem.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first.

Fuel economy

Both versions use regular gas and a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine with an automatic 6-speed[7][16].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[7] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700
All-wheel drive[16] 15 / 22 / 17 $3,950

EPA's cost figure uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal crashes, 5 for side crashes and 4 for rollover[8]. Its rollover risk is 15.5%[8]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 16.9%[17].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 288 hp[18]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

AWD FWD
Length[19][20] 202 in 202 in
Width[19][20] 79 in 79 in
Height[19][20] 72 in 72 in
Wheelbase[19][20] 119 in 119 in
Curb weight[19][20] 4,923 lb 4,725 lb

How 2017 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 recalls2016: 141 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 179 complaints, 3 recalls17920172018: 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 2017 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 2017 model year has 179 complaints[6]. Among the Enclave years NHTSA lists from 2008 to 2025, that is the sixth highest. Five years have more: 2008 (536), 2009 (220), 2010 (275), 2011 (213) and 2014 (292)[6]. Years like 2012 (132), 2013 (70), 2015 (171) and 2016 (141) have fewer, as does every year from 2018 on[6].

On recalls, 2017 has 3, which is fewer than each year from 2008 to 2016[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough comparison of the same model only.

Should you buy a used 2017 Enclave?

The complaint record is concentrated in air bags, and the biggest recall involves a driver air bag inflator that can explode[1][3]. Before buying, check by VIN that every recall has been completed. If the 23V334 repair is still open, ask the seller or a dealer when the part will be available, since some owners in our sample reported waiting[1][3]. Outside air bags, complaint counts per group are small[9][15]. Fuel economy is 17 to 18 combined MPG and the NHTSA overall rating is 5 stars[7][16][8]. Our data does not cover repair costs or reliability scores, so a pre-purchase inspection is still a good idea.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2017 Buick Enclave?
Air bags. 145 of the 179 NHTSA complaints name them, and no other group has more than 8[1][2][9].
Does the 2017 Buick Enclave have recalls?
Yes, three. Two cover the driver air bag inflator (23V334 and 21V782) and one covers side curtain air bag attachment (21V246)[3][4][5].
What MPG does the 2017 Buick Enclave get?
EPA rates the front-wheel-drive version at 18 combined MPG and the all-wheel-drive version at 17[7][16].
How safe is the 2017 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA gives both versions 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[8][17].
Is 2017 a good year for the Buick Enclave?
It has fewer recalls than every year from 2008 to 2016, but 179 complaints is the sixth highest of the years listed[6].

Facts and sources

  1. 145 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Buick Enclave (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 23V334, filed May 10, 2023: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V782, filed October 7, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 21V246, filed April 8, 2021: Air Bags › Critical Fasteners. 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: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. 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. 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the seat belts component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 4 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA rating for Enclave AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. 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
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2017 Buick Enclave with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 288 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. 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
  20. 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.