VehicleVerdict

2013 Buick Enclave problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Buick Enclave sits mid-pack among Enclave years: 108 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 108, with 4 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (24), transmission (13), and engine (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

108

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Enclave years?

See all Enclave years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Buick Enclave problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2422%
Engine1312%
Transmission1312%
Steering1211%
Other98%
Airbags98%
Lighting66%
Speed Control55%
Seat Belts33%
Fuel System33%
Tires & Wheels33%
Body & Structure22%
Suspension22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Brakes11%
Driver Assistance11%

Does the 2013 Buick Enclave have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V782000AirbagsOctober 7, 2021 · 555 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

21V246000AirbagsApril 8, 2021 · 108 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Consequence

Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

14V266000Seat BeltsMay 20, 2014 · 1,339,355 units

Defect

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequence

If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

14V118000AirbagsMarch 17, 2014 · 1,176,407 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence

Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER OVERHEATED AND AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN TO THE FOOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT OVERHEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 11, 2013 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ALPINE BUICK GMC 8120 W TUFTS AVE, DENVER, CO 80123 TO HAVE THE LIGHT TURNED OFF HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2019 · crash

AFTER ANY AMOUNT OF RAIN, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHUT OFF AFTER TURNING THE KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVING THE KEYS. THE VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS ALL GO OFF WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT". THE VEHICLE REMAINS RUNNING. I HAVE TO PULL A FUSE TO GET IT TO SHUT OFF. THEN, THE NEXT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 24, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ALPINE BUICK GMC 8120 W TUFTS AVE, DENVER, CO 80123 TO HAVE THE LIGHT TURNED OFF HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · July 1, 2019 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 29, 2014 · crash

2013 Buick Enclave — common questions

Is the 2013 Buick Enclave reliable?

It is close to typical for the Enclave: 108 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 Enclave problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (24 complaints), transmission (13 complaints), engine (13 complaints).

Does the 2013 Buick Enclave have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Buick Enclave. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Buick Enclave under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Enclave years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Enclave years to avoid are 2008, 2010, 2014, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2012. The cleanest record among Enclave years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2013 Buick Enclave?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Buick Enclave earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.