NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Buick Enclave[1]. None of them mention a crash, a fire, or an injury[1].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Brakes. 7 complaints[5]. Owners describe a grinding or growling sound when they press the pedal, sometimes soon after buying the car. Some say the dealer called it a known issue.
- Electrical System. 6 complaints[6]. Owners describe a rear hatch that pops open on its own, even when parked, plus door locks that act up at times.
- Unknown Or Other. 4 complaints[7]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
- Seat Belts. 3 complaints[8]. Owners describe a belt latch that sticks and a belt that pulled tight and would not release.
- Structure. 3 complaints[9]. Owners describe a power liftgate that acts erratically, opens by itself, or stops opening.
- Engine. 2 complaints[10].
- Power Train. 2 complaints[11].
- Latches/Locks/Linkages. 2 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2021 Enclave is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain (22V210), March 2022. About 89 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.[13]
- Air Bags › Sensor › Frontal Impact (21V472), June 2021. About 6 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]
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
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2021 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 26 complaints and 2 recalls for 2021[2]. Among the 20 model years listed, 5 have fewer complaints than 2021 and 14 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2008 (536)[2]. 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 2021 Enclave?
The complaint count for this model year is modest at 26[1]. Brakes and the electrical system lead the list[5][6]. The liftgate stories show up under more than one group, so check that it opens and closes properly on a test drive. Recalls exist for this year too[2]. See the recall section on this page for details.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Buick Enclave?
- Brakes and the electrical system have the most complaints[5][6]. See the problems section above.
- Does the 2021 Buick Enclave have recalls?
- Yes, the by-year data lists recalls for 2021[2]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2021 Buick Enclave?
- See the fuel section of this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Buick Enclave
Compare all model years of the Buick Enclave
Similar cars from 2021: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Buick Enclave (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). 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 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. 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 15.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 22V210, filed March 31, 2022: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V472, filed June 24, 2021: Air Bags › Sensor › Frontal Impact. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Enclave AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENCLAVE 4DR SUV AWD: length 204 in, width 79 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 4,614 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ENCLAVE 4DR SUV FWD: length 204 in, width 79 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 121 in, curb weight 4,361 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov