2008 Buick Enclave: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 17, 2022 · Engine · 160,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owned a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, a warning message indicating that the vehicle was overheated illuminated. The contact pulled into a nearby parking lot. The contact then opened the hood of the vehicle by engaging the power release button inside of the vehicle. The contact saw black smoke and flames coming out from underneath the hood. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle remained at the scene. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in a recall associated with the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V240000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2021 · Engine · 95,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact's daughter owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while her daughter's boyfriend was driving up a hill at an unknown rate of speed, a flame had ignited from the engine without warning. Her boyfriend exited the vehicle, checked under the hood and saw that the engine was on fire. A fellow motorist witnessed the situation and assisted her daughters boyfriend by giving him a fire extinguisher which the boyfriend used to extinguish the fire. A fire report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The contact's daughter had the vehicle initially towed to the contact's home where it was then towed to independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact the cause of the fire was due to a "mechanical defect" and was given an estimate for a repair. The manufacturer nor the dealer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2020 · Engine · 188,000 miles · OH · fire

The engine blew out today. Caught fire. Scared the living daylights out of my daughter. The car made a jerking motion and noise while on the hwy. Then flames were shooting out....pulled it over immediately and turned off. It was smoking. The police officer said the lower part of the engine blew out ...it literally was missing pieces of metal.

Filed Jan 17, 2020 · Engine · 150,000 miles · UT · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly made an abnormal low gear noise. The contact was alerted that her vehicle was emitting fire from underneath the vehicle, she immediately pulled over and noticed a cloud of black smoke, within a few seconds later the vehicle engulfed in flames. The vehicle was put out by the fire department and a police report was taken. The contact sustained smoke inhalation but was not hospitalized. The vehicle was totaled and the manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Apr 17, 2017 · 187,834 miles · GA · fire

I was driving on the interstate on april 6th, 2017 with our two young daughters (spring break). Our 2008 buick enclave made a subtle noise, then a second noise that was a bit louder. I pulled over just in time for me and my little ones to get out. Within seconds, the car was smoking heavily with flames falling to the ground; and then within minutes, it was burning fiercely. Two good samaritans had pulled over. A lady rushed to grab my kids and ran with them to her car. The 2nd (a former police office) called 9-1-1. The firefighters arrived on scene to put out the fire, but the car had practically burned to a total loss. We still have no idea what caused the fire. Just worried that this might not be a one-off. I have included the firefighter's report. Geico has deemed the car a total loss. Not sure I can trust another buick. All our friends and colleagues who drive this same car want to know why this could have happened--as do we.

Filed Dec 21, 2015 · 93,333 miles · MI · fire

While driving car caught fire

Filed Aug 13, 2015 · Engine · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact noticed a burning odor coming from the air vents in the vehicle. The contact pulled over and upon further inspection, noticed that the front of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 14, 2013 · Transmission · 66,359 miles · IN

After stopping at a stop sign my vehicle would not move... I shifted into neutral then back to drive and it went forward very slowly, then nothing. I coasted off the road (at a very busy intersection) and fortunately 2 policemen stopped to help me. They looked under the hood and could smell something burning. They called the buick dealer for a tow and when I went into the dealer they said they 'thought' it was probably the transmission, but wouldn't know the problem until the trans. Was dropped. Also that the warranty had expired in july! I was told, two days and $3100.00 later it was a wave plate problem. After searching online I found that this seems to be fairly common for this vehicle and other gm products. I bought this enclave used in jan./2010 with 41,000. Miles. It supposedly had rave reviews, and now has terrible ones. That says a lot. No one should have to replace a transmission after 5 yrs., or 66,000 miles, especially in a high end model vehicle that costs this much!

Filed May 25, 2012 · Engine · 92,000 miles · DE · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact noticed black smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair shop where the mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for further assistance. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.