2008 Buick Enclave: engine failure

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 Sep 27, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 122,613 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. When the contact depressed the brake pedal to make a turn at 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized. There were no warning indicators illuminated and the failure occurred randomly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power brake vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,613.

Filed Aug 13, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact stated that the vehicle was hesitant and there was a lack of engine power. The dealer (reynolds buick gmc, 345 n citrus st, west covina, ca 91791, (626) 966-4461) replaced the engine assembly, but the failure continued. It was later diagnosed that the transmission assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no assistance other than recommending the contact replace the part. There were no recalls regarding the transmission and engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 66,000 miles · VA

After 66,000 miles of easy driving, our 2008 buick enclave has a broken wave plate and needs a new transmission! The transmission failure caused two separate dangerous driving situations, one of which could have been fatal. The first event occurred when stopped at an intersection to make a left turn. I had two children in the back seat. When the intersection cleared, I began to make the left turn, but the engine failed to accelerate and merely coasted into the lane of on-coming traffic. The left side of the vehicle and the 7-year-old child sitting there were left exposed to the threat of impact by fast-approaching traffic. After about 2 seconds, the engine accelerated and we were able to leave the intersection moments before on-coming traffic arrived. The second event occurred two days later. Traveling 45-50 MPH on a local highway, the engine slipped gears and would not shift out of first gear. The check engine light came on. We returned home at slow speed. In the driveway, we put the car in park, then in drive and reverse. It barely moved in either direction. The next day, we were able to drive it to the nearby dealership. It shifted gears on the way, but the warning light stayed on. The dealership informed us that the wave plate is broken and that the transmission must be replaced. We tried contacting gm customer service but received nothing more than a recorded message asking us to hold on the line. We held for over one hour and received no customer service. A review of many website postings reveals a widespread failure of the enclave wave plate and transmission, that gm is fully aware of it and has taken no steps to address it or to ensure of the safety of the thousands of enclave owners and other drivers on the road. Failing any accountability by gm, we insist that the federal safety agency take action on this widespread safety hazard and issue a recall.

Filed Jun 26, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 80,001 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed the wave plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 80,001. The consumer stated the power steering went out. The vehicle was almost impossible to turn. The vehicle was towed the dealer. An inspection revealed the power steering rack was leaking from both sides, and the pump seized. Also, the dealer replaced the water pump, because it was leaking. Updated 08/06/14 updated 08/11/14

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 50,625 miles · IL

My husband, I, and our 3 young children were driving on I-94 at 70mph when our check engine light started flashing,the vehicle immediately starting shaking and riding extremely rough and the engine died. Fortunately we were in the right lane, and there was a wide shoulder for us to pull onto. We had the car towed to a gm dealership, who ran diagnostics and found that there were cylinder misfires on cylinders 1,3 &5. They ran further diagnostics and found that a valve spring broke & dropped into the cylinder. The piston hit the valve, knocked a hole in the piston, and pieces of the valve went through the engine. This vehicle was purchased 5 yrs and 9 months ago (9 months out of the warranty), but only halfway through the 100,000 mile warranty. We were given a gm customer service contact name ([xxx]) and number, but she will neither answer her phone, nor return our numerous messages! We purchased this vehicle brand new and have done all maintenance work on schedule, and have never had a problem with this "luxury" vehicle. We chose this vehicle for all of its safety features, as parents of 3 young children, safety is of our utmost concern. We certainly didn't feel safe 3 hours from home, traveling back from vacation, in the middle of wi completely stranded with a vehicle whose engine died within 5 seconds of the warning lights coming on. As inconvenient as it is that our vehicle is 3 hours from us, we are so thankful this didn't happen in downtown chicago, where a dead vehicle on I-94 could have easily turned into a fatal collision. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 14, 2014 · Engine · 69,500 miles · NY

I was driving on a highway the check engine light came on approximately 25 seconds later the engine seized I was able to get to the shoulder of road but experience was life threatening. Gm has done nothing to help refuse to pay for anything even though I pay them 1 year ago to solve this problem

Filed Dec 12, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 82,040 miles · FL

While driving with my daughter, and dogs from the vet; the car began to slow down and eventually stop. I tried to restart and vehicle turn on lights, AC, radio came on however would not crank. Pedestrians pushed me out of harms way and into a parking lot. Towed to dealer immediately without inspection they said it is engine failure and I would be responsible for over 7000 worth of damage. The car had a full warranty and extended warranty which just recently ended. I am still making payments and had the vehicle less than 1 year.

Filed May 17, 2013 · Engine · 82,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while traveling 55 MPH, the engine seized and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and the engine had to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that the failure was due to user error. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage and current mileage was 82,000.

Filed May 17, 2013 · Engine, Wheels · 82,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while traveling 55 MPH, the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was advised that the engine would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that there was an abnormal white substance on the wheels that could not be removed. The dealer did not have a recommendation or a remedy for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 82,000.

Filed Dec 18, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 30,000 miles · MI · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure recurred approximately 25-40 times. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the steering pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 30,000. The consumer stated he heard a clicking noise whenever he turned the steering wheel. The dealer replaced the power steering pump, power steering gear, steering column . The consumer stated he would loose power steering assist when driving and the steering wheel would lock up. , there was excessive play in the steering. The consumer hit a pillar, when the steering locked up, and caused damage to the vehicle. The dealer replaced several components within the steering several times. The key would get stuck in the ignition. Updated 01/28/13