VehicleVerdict

2016 Buick Enclave problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2016 Buick Enclave sits mid-pack among Enclave years: 152 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 108, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 72% of all reports (110 of 152), far ahead of transmission at 8. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

152

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Enclave years?

See all Enclave years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Buick Enclave problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags11072%
Transmission85%
Electrical System75%
Engine75%
Other75%
Seat Belts32%
Steering32%
Body & Structure32%
Fuel System21%
Tires & Wheels11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2016 Buick Enclave have recalls?

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

23V334000AirbagsMay 10, 2023 · 995,085 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia 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. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

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.

15V833000SeatsDecember 11, 2015 · 2,633 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

Consequence

If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat may not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

15V609000Visibility & WipersSeptember 29, 2015 · 29,295 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

Consequence

A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WE HAVE A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT OUR VEHICLE. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2018. A CAR RAN RIGHT INTO OUR REAR WITHOUT STOPPING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. WE WERE VERY SURPRISED OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. WE SMELLED THE SMOKE USUALLY INVOLVED WITH THE AIRBAGS BEING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 27, 2018 · crash

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 27,125 MILES. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, WENT TO PROCEED AND HAD NO POWER TO MOVE. ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE. GOT VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND 3-5 REVERSE SNAP RING GROOVE HAD SHEARED OFF AND METAL WENT THROUGHOUT THE TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 4, 2015

2016 BUICK ENCLAVE HAD A SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT/MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD CONTINUOUSLY. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST & THE ISSUE IS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN MOVES THE WIRING HARNESS THE LIGHT COMES & GOES.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 4, 2019

THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AFTER AFTER 45K MILES. THIS COULD BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM GM IS EXPERIENCING WITH THEIR OTHER BRANDS FROM 2015 TO 2017. WE WOULD QUOTED THE REPAIR COSTS OF 1200. IT UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER TO STOP WORKING AFTER SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 15, 2020

2016 Buick Enclave — common questions

Is the 2016 Buick Enclave reliable?

It is close to typical for the Enclave: 152 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 Enclave problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (110 complaints), transmission (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2016 Buick Enclave have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Buick Enclave. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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 2016 Buick Enclave?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.