Since the introduction of the latest generation, Buicks popular midsize SUV, the Enclave has been performing rather well when it comes to the build quality and robustness.Even though the year 2019 sees one recall registered against the Buick Enclave, the number of official customer complaints registered has been cut by half to just 16, from around 33 last year. That said, we expect recalls to pop up sometime in the near future given its “newness”, but currently, it stands out as one of the best performing new vehicles in its segment in this department. The closest competitors for the new Buick Enclave would be the Chevrolet Traverse, the GMC Acadia, and the Mazda CX-9. The question of whether you should spend $42,000 on one or not is something this article will help you decide on.
2019 Buick Enclave User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine- Some batches of the 2019 Buick Enclave are prone to oil leaks. Although the issue was spotted on vehicles with an average mileage of around 30,000-miles a few brand new vehicles have also seen the same issue. The problem was traced to be a faulty timing chain cover gasket which was replaced by the dealer to fix the leak.
- Transmission- The transmission on the 2019 Buick Enclave is reported to showcase a variety of problems. Users have complained about the transmission getting stuck in a single gear, shifting to lower gears without warning, and jerking heavily between cogs or when slowing down. Owners also complain about certain units shifting themselves into ‘neutral’ or ‘park’ while driving without warning. Hill hold function in drive-mode is also compromised as users complain about the vehicle rolling back causing the engine to stall. Since the complaints have been varying, the root causes of all these troubles are different and repair/fix is approached on the complaint basis by the dealer.
- Service brakes- Grinding noise from the brakes has been a common complaint by many 2019Buick Enclave owners and this is also said to cause premature brake wear. The only known remedy is to use aftermarket brake pads as the issue persists in users who got the pads replaced by the dealers.
Electric System complaints
- Electrical short- Some batches of the 2019Buick Enclave have wiring issues, which cause the entire radio/infotainment system of the vehicle to reboot when the doors are open or short. The problem is suspected to be some sort of grounding/ electrical short with the wiring. Even though GM has an ongoing investigation on this issue, no resolution has been brought out as of yet.
Structural Complaints
- Tailgate- The rear power tailgate on the 2019 Buick Enclave closes itself when the user is accessing the trunk. Some owners also complain about the trunk lock not releasing despite pressing the unlock button multiple times. Most issues were traced to be with firmware error on the tailgate control module while some cases, where the tailgate fails to open, required a driver unit replacement.
Safety Complaints
- Forward collision avoidance system- This system is said to be too intrusive on the 2019 Buick Enclave. Multiple owners have complained about this system unexpectedly braking when trying to negotiate through traffic or tight spaces. Even though NHTSA has only 1 officially recognized complaint on this issue, it has been commonly experienced by several owners.
2019 Buick Enclave Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
29th October 2020 |
20V668000 |
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator. |
Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator can cause transmission fluid leak or a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. Transmission fluid in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. |
The dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2020. |
Should you buy a used 2019 Buick Enclave?
If you are someone who is willing to spend a buck more for that premium and luxurious approach in your family vehicle, the Buick Enclave is certainly one of the better choices in the segment. The sharp design, classy and well-appointed cabin raise the appeal even more with this generation of Enclave SUVs. With just one recall and 16 complaints recorded against the 2019 model year, the Buick Enclave has certainly earned a spot in our books for being one of the most trustable mid-sized three-row SUVs in its segment. So if you are on the market for a used one, then there should be nothing holding you back from getting one, say, apart from the price it demands.
