My two children and I were traveling on a highly elevated ramp between major highways in san antonio (281 and 1604) when my car no longer would move into a higher gear and suddenly stalled at its current speed. The engine roared, but the car would not go faster. The traffic behind me almost hit me, as I unexpectedly was not increasing speed as one would typically do entering a highway. It was extremely frightening to all three of us (especially my 9 year old) and required our exiting the highway immediately. The problem continued, and we immediately took the car into the dealership service center. The technician was able to determine the problem quickly, because it has been a frequent repair. The "wave plate" failure LED to the failed transmission with additional engine problems. The bill exceeds $6000. Both the near accident and cost have been highly stressful. We want gm to address this "wave plate /transmission" issue before more people almost get hurt. The forums for gm vehicles containing this part have dozens of complaints already.
2008 Buick Enclave engine complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 86 of 86, newest first, as owners wrote them.
We brought this car from landers ford collierville in 19apr13 and I have had to get the brakes redone, and a valve with the air conditioner fixed. But we went to sunrise gmc on 28jun13 and they advised us that we need a brand new transmission in the car due to a crack in some part of the transmission. I haven't had the car that long and now it needs a new transmission. Landers ford knew that car had transmission problems. Gmc advised us that this is a problem that happens in the buick enclaves and the arcadias. So if you know that this car had these problems, then why haven't a recalled been done on the cars. We did research this past week and everyone complains about the transmission. We also called gmc and they advised me that since I brought the car from a ford dealership and not gmc that they can not replace the transmission. But they can give us 70/30 we pay 70 percent of the repairs which I can not afford. They advised us that the car came off the line in 2007 and that is why the car is 10 months out of warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated that while driving 58 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the check engine and stop vehicle warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the engine needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
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.
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.
My 2008 buick enclave only has 54000 miles on it and the transmission had to be replaced. The rpms would race up but the car would not move. The air conditioner also quit working at 39,000 miles but I waited until this breakdown to fix it because it was the beginning of the cool season. The high pressure line to the condenser and evaporator had to be replaced.
As I begin to accelerate the RPM's would go to 4 but my speed would only be 25mph. This has happened several times. When I pull over, turn the car off, start it again, then it runs like it should. I contacted the dealer and they said I needed a new transmission which will cost $4000. I have researched this problem and it seems that many people have had this problem but so far no recall. I have read that a part in the transmission is not properly hear treated which is the cause of the transmission problems.
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.
The first problem that occurred was the engine overheated and the water pump had to be replaced. Car was only 3 years old with 20,140 miles on it. Since then the main problems have been with the sunroof leaking. This caused the blower motor to fail. The water leaks have happened at least 4 times. The drains keep clogging. There is no fix for this according to the dealer. Not acceptable! They told me not to park under trees. Are you kidding me? I've had sunroofs before and never had a problem. The recall for the drain extensions did nothing. Eventually there will be other problems. Who knows what else is getting wet where I can't see it. Mold is inevitable. I have 3 kids and this is ridiculous. I didn't spend all this money for a piece of junk! I will never buy gm again if they don't do something.
Faulty intake gasket on all gm vehicle.(coolant can mix with oil or run out).
2008 buick enclave water pump failure. 48000 miles on vehicle. Driving home on freeway at night looked down at temp gauge and saw it was on red. Smoke was coming out of the back of the car as well as the hood area. I was afraid to pull over on the freeway since I was in dead cell phone zone and am female. I was an exit from home so I was able to make it home. As I approached my drive way the "check engine" light finally came on as well as "change oil soon" info flashed on the display, by this time car was smoking from under the hood as well as the under the car. Called tow company next morning to tow to nearest gm dealer. Waited to hear from them all day and nothing finally close to 5 pm the rep called and said I would get a rental on gm overnight until they can look at it. Next day I was told water pump failed. Section 5 page 27 of owners manual said motor oil would need to be changed after operating in overheated vehicle engine protection mode, asked dealer if they would be changing the oil since it was water pump failure that caused oil to breakdown and they said I would have to pay for it. This is no ok gm should change the oil as well as filter included in warranty repair. The water pump failure lead to having to run in overheated engine protection mode in the first place. Local dealer just returned my call in to supervisor. They are now willing to change the oil and filter on them. Water pump should not go out in a 2 year old vehicle! Please help protect consumers. I wanted to buy american but this is the 5th time enclave has been towed to the dealer. One time is bad enough but 5 not acceptable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 25 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking from the vehicle front end. The dealer replaced the tie rods to correct the failure. On a separate occasion, the power steering and water pump failed and the dealer replaced both components. The contact stated there were several failures in the vehicle including warped rotors and brakes at 22,000 miles and several unknown recall repairs. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 10v240000 (electrical system) and was not satisfied with the $100 refund offered by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 22,000 and the current was unknown. Updated 10/27/10.
We own a 2008 buick enclave that has failed to start three times in the last 4 days. Took it to the dealership and they said no problem with the battery. My wife drives this car with our two your children and we can't afford for them to continue to be stranded. Dealer said they fixed issue with software update. Apparently not as it would not start again tonight.
I drove my 2008 buick enclave like normal to get kids from school. Turned the car completely off while I was waiting for them. Went to start it back up and nothing dead would not even turn over. Tried several times even giving it a break in between and still nothing. Called a tow company to tow to the dealer I use for servicing (plummer pontiac gmc and cadillac in lodi, ca.) and awaiting a call back to see what needs to be done to repair it. I have about 28k on it. I did know others were experiencing the same problem. Thank god I wasn't in a dark area or stranded in a bad area. This is definitely a safety issue being stranded in a newer car is not what the consumer pays for with this vehicle costing well over 40k you would think you were purchasing reliability. Not so much.
I slowed for a curve in a two lane country road. After the curve I pressed the accelerator to resume speed of approximately 45 miles per hour. The car engine raced loudly, the RPM gauge shot way up, and the car decelerated rather than accelerate. I again pressed the accelerator to speed up and the engine again raced but the car kept slowing. I became afraid that the engine was going to accelerate and engage the transmission and take off on me. I looked at the gearshift to be sure I was in "d" mode, and I was. I downshifted into low gear and limped home about 20 mi les per hour, but could not accelerate more than that without the engine racing. It scared me to the point that I am afraid to drive it, nor will I let any one else drive it until I know the problem has been completely resolved, and I have a clear understanding of what caused it. I am so thankful I was not driving on the freeway when this occurred. I called the dealer and told them to expect the car to be towed to their service dept first thing in the morning.
On aug 20 the truck in front of me with a hitch stopped; so did I. The car behind me and the car behind him didn't stop. I took the car to springmall auto body in springfield - $5500 worth of damage. One week after I picked it up, I was driving and the engine shut down. I got on onstar and they said the traction and ABS control module failed. I took it back to springmall. Because it's so new, they drove the car to where I bought it - rte 1 pontiac, gm and buick, woodridge va. Upon receipt of the vehicle, the mechanic never asked for paperwork from the autobody shop who delivered it - they had no idea the extent of the damage. The mechanic said he needed to drive it home to see if it would do it again. The next day, they said they fixed it and told me to pick it up. One week later after a 2 hr ride to richmond - it petered out again and I had to dive for the breakdown lane. I brought it back to rte 1 buick and they said they would have to keep my car (which I am leasing) and apparently it was something else wrong. I asked them to immediately call springmall and get a fax of the accidnet and extent of damages - they were shocked. I said I didn't mind leaving it, but I wanted my miles refunded. They said no. The whole scene turned ugly and they told me to leave the shop. I have a pregnant daughter and a granddaughter who ride in that car a lot - why did they tell me it was fine to drive if it wasn't? The car just stops!! The head mechanic said the only thing he could do was put a black box on my car, which he did. That was over two months ago and the problem hasn't occurred yet. He said just becuase onstar said what it was, that may not be the problem. They told me to stay in the slow right lane and if it occurs, push the top of this plugged in black box and head for the breakdown lane. I never know when it will happen, and I am scared to death. Please help me I have a new car that I can't drive; it may even take the lives of people I love.
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