2009 Buick Enclave Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Buick Enclave.

20082010
Complaints
290
per 10K Sold
67.2
US Sales
43,150
Crashes
4
Fires
8
Injuries
17
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2009 Buick Enclave Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1107 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:75,413 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#235 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:95,537 mi
Fires:3
#333 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:92,049 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Buick Enclave.

Steering Defects
107
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,413
Engine Problems
35
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
95,537
Transmission / Drivetrain
33
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
92,049
Electrical Faults
20
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
50,632
Unintended Acceleration
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
105,148
Electronic Stability Control
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,445
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
79,261
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
65,200
Seat Belt Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,167
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
118,488
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
29,072
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts: Rear/Other:Buckle Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Buick Enclave. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Buick Enclave

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,779,741 vehicles.

21V782000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal
~555 affected

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.

15V415000Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
~691,144 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

14V266000Seat Belts
~1,339,355 affected

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.

14V118000Air Bags:side/window
~1,176,407 affected

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.

10V375000Seat Belts
~207,210 affected

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.

10V240000Electrical System
~1,365,070 affected

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Other Buick Enclave Years

2009 Buick Enclave — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Buick Enclave reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2009 Buick Enclave has 290 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 107 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Buick Enclave?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (107 complaints, avg 75,413 mi); Engine Problems (35 complaints, avg 95,537 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (33 complaints, avg 92,049 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Buick Enclave?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 79,728 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Buick Enclave include 4 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,779,741 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Buick Enclave?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Buick Enclave reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2009 Buick Enclave

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