2009 Buick Enclave problems & reliability
220 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Buick Enclave, alongside 8 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
6 complaints report injuries (11 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2009 Buick Enclave vehicles were involved in 20 fatal crashes with 6 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 108 | 49% |
| Engine | 35 | 16% |
| Power Train | 33 | 15% |
| Electrical System | 22 | 10% |
| Unknown OR Other | 12 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 5% |
| Air Bags | 9 | 4% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 9 | 4% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 4% |
| Structure | 8 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 74,161 miles (middle 50% between 55,167 and 99,765 miles), based on 194 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Every time I turn right my car turns off. I am able to restart after. I’ve taken it to several mechanic's and no one seems to know the issue. I’ve had my battery change circuits change a tune up and my gas filter changed and the car still doesn’t work.”
Steering · filed Aug 15, 2025
“Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact purchased the vehicle from a local used car dealer in April 2025. The contact stated that the odometer and the bill of sales indicated that the mileage was 133,000. The contact stated that while registering the vehicle with Carshield, the contact was…”
Electrical System · filed Jul 9, 2025
“The contact owns a 2009 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the rear tailgate unintentionally opened. The contact stated that once the failure had occurred, the contact closed the rear tailgate, and the rear tailgate was inoperable and failed to open. No warning lights were…”
Latches/locks/linkages · filed Mar 18, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Engineering Analysis EA20002 · opened Aug 31, 2020 · closed Aug 30, 2024 · led to recall 21V245
- Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Recall Query RQ19003 · opened May 28, 2019 · closed Aug 31, 2020
- Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Audit Query AQ10001 · opened Nov 18, 2010 · closed Dec 28, 2015
Technical service bulletins
1,230 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Buick Enclave. The 10 most recent:
This is to advise about a part concern
PIT6002C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 27, 2026
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on. Technician will find Diagnostic Trouble Code P2097 or…
PIP4964F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 29, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or…
PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 20, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe…
PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2009 Buick Enclave has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2009 Buick Enclave?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 74,161 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.