2012 Buick Enclave Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Buick Enclave.

20112013
Complaints
171
per 10K Sold
28.1
US Sales
60,870
Crashes
12
Fires
0
Injuries
26
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2012 Buick Enclave Problems

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

#123 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:161,809 mi
Crash-related:1
#221 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:77,969 mi
Crash-related:6
#319 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:75,259 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Buick Enclave.

Engine Problems
23
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
161,809
Airbags
21
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
77,969
Electrical Faults
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,259
Steering Defects
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
57,308
Body Structure
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
86,977
Transmission / Drivetrain
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
60,475
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
69,729
Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,333
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
67,714
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Hinge And Attachments
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Buick Enclave. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Buick Enclave

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,255,415 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.

21V246000Air Bags:critical Fasteners
~108 affected

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.

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.

12V151000Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
~47,846 affected

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Other Buick Enclave Years

2012 Buick Enclave — FAQ

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

Is the 2012 Buick Enclave reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Buick Enclave has 171 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 23 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Buick Enclave?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (23 complaints, avg 161,809 mi); Airbags (21 complaints, avg 77,969 mi); Electrical Faults (19 complaints, avg 75,259 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 2012 Buick Enclave?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 88,423 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Buick Enclave include 12 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 26 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 2012 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,255,415 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 2012 Buick Enclave?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

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.

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