VehicleVerdict

2017 Buick Enclave problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 200 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Enclave year — the 2017 model ranks #7 of 19 Enclave years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 73% of all reports (145 of 200), far ahead of electrical system at 8. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

200

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Enclave years?

Enclave NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted779 complaints2008: 779 complaints2009: 290 complaints2010: 358 complaints2011: 284 complaints2012: 174 complaints2013: 108 complaints2014: 345 complaints2015: 220 complaints2016: 152 complaints2017: 200 complaints2018: 92 complaints2019: 64 complaints2020: 70 complaints2021: 30 complaints2022: 20 complaints2023: 22 complaints2024: 11 complaints2025: 56 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Enclave NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Enclave years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Buick Enclave problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags14573%
Electrical System84%
Other74%
Engine53%
Seat Belts42%
Driver Assistance42%
Speed Control42%
Body & Structure42%
Transmission42%
Seats32%
Steering21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Brakes21%
Lighting21%
Fuel System21%
Suspension11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2017 Buick Enclave have recalls?

3 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED WHILE PARKED. THE CAR IS TOTALED. THE CAR MOVED UP SEVERAL FEET UPON IMPACT IN PARK AND HIT THE TRAILER THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SCREEN SHOWED AN ERROR MESSAGE FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THAT SAID "SERVICE AIRBAGS". THERE WAS NO PRIOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 18, 2020 · crash

“MY CAR WHICH I HAVE HAD FOR 9 MONTHS IS TAKING ON WATER FROM RAIN. IT SHORTED OUT THE EGNITION SWITCH, AND AFTER RAIN YESTERDAY IT DID IT AGAIN. IT WONT TURN START AT TIMES, OR IT WONT TURN OFF! LOOKING THROUGH BUICK FORUMS THESE HAVE BEEN HAVING THESE PROBLEMS SIENCE 2008 WITH HEAVY RAIN!”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 10, 2019

“WAITING IN LINE AT SONIC DRIVEWAY STARTED REVERSING AT BREAKNECK SPEEDS - FINALLY STOPPED AFTE R JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A HEAVY PICKUP, AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN MALFUNCTION OF VEHICLE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFT SEEMED STICKY”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 2, 2018 · crash

“The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound and the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the engine and TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 15, 2023

“On the SVC list, the traction control will turn off unexpectedly & the check engine light will come on. Recently, when this occured, 01/09/2022, the vehicle would start to jerk & lose power. The vehicle eventually recovered after a few minutes at reduced speed. Speed of vehicle during these…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 1, 2007

2017 Buick Enclave — common questions

Is the 2017 Buick Enclave reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 200 complaints put the 2017 model at #7 of 19 Enclave years. It is one of the Enclave years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Enclave problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (145 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints), other (7 complaints).

Does the 2017 Buick Enclave have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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 2017 Buick Enclave?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.