2010 Buick Enclave: engine failure

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Engine · IL

I am filing this safety complaint regarding a sudden and dangerous engine failure in a 2010 Buick Enclave CXL purchased from Frankfort Car Outlet on 8/25/2025. On 10/25/2025, while driving on the expressway, the engine suddenly began knocking, lost power, and stalled. This created a serious safety risk to myself and other drivers. The failure occurred only 60 days after purchase and approximately 2,000 miles later, suggesting a pre-existing internal defect that the dealership did not disclose. The dealership has refused to inspect the vehicle, acknowledge the safety risk, or assist in any way. This type of sudden engine failure could pose a serious hazard if similar vehicles have the same issue, and I believe the federal safety agency should be aware of the potential risk.

Filed Mar 23, 2021 · Engine · 125,000 miles · RI

I was driving my vehicle when it suddenly stalled and would not start, I had it towed to a mechanic and was advised it needed an engine, this was a known problem with the 2008, 2009, 2010 buick enclaves, because of the oil pump draining the engine of oil it seized the engine. I called gm and asked why they haven't recalled the 2010 along with 2008, and 2009 models with the same engine and issue. They said its been acknowledged but there is no future date if or when the 2010 buick enclave would be recalled for the engine- oil failure! This cost over $4800 dollars to get fixed, I just purchased the car from a dealership less than a year prior, very disappointed with dealer for not making me aware to check oil every few days so this wouldn't happen. I also just had the oil change done a month before the engine seized!

Filed Jun 1, 2020 · Engine, Suspension · 178,222 miles · MI

2010 buick enclave was driving at approximately 50mph, engine stuttered, lost power, and would not accelerate. Pulled over and engine would not restart. Towed to local repair shop and found the engine had blown, gears blew apart, timing chain shot. Full engine replacement costing almost $7,000. Mileage was 178,222. Additional issues to include rear suspension parts, brakes, rotors, wheel bearings (twice) due to defective parts. Rear lateral links both upper and lower (twice due to defective parts). Car still does not ride properly after second replacement of parts and 4 all wheel alignments. Car sways terribly and rocks especially during higher winds. Very hard to keep on the road and dangerous.

Filed Apr 30, 2019 · Engine · 110,000 miles · RI

Today I was driving to work, as I pulled into the driveway of work ticking noise started and then car died right on a hill blocking travel, it would not restart, so I had it towed to my mechanic who advised engine blown do to timing belt wear...all my oil was sucked into engine (just had an oil change 2 mths ago) and blew the motor! This is a known problem with this year, make, model of buick, why is no one doing anything about a recall! I can't afford a new engine, nor a new car, I just purchased this used at hurd buick in rhode island 5/2017 explained needed dependable car, I'm a single parent working full time and they gave me a lemon knowing full well the engine problems with this midel! The federal safety agency needs to make gm accountable to the consumer of 2010 models like they did with the 2008-2009 models this is so unfair. I had to rent a car to get back and forth to work...I don't know what or how I'm getting around next week!

Filed Apr 6, 2018 · Engine · 89,655 miles · MA

This vehicle with 89000 miles has just been diagnosed with a stretched timing chain problem, and we have been quoted a price of $2800 to effect a repair that obviously should have been a recall. At this moment there has not been a catastrofic failure which would necessitate an engine replacement . We think that it is unconscionable that gm knowing of this failure hasn't reached out to the victims and offered a solution to thi burdening problem for folks who can't afford to repair their vehicle that is necessarily depended upon. It looks to us that a class action suit is in order to force gm to fix their mistakes. It is galling to note that lots of older folks have tried to stay loyal to u.s. Manufacturers have been misplacing their loyalties. The suit against the saturn vue transmission should be a good example to follow. Anyone agree?

Filed Mar 5, 2018 · Engine · 73,000 miles · NY

On january 9, 2018, while waiting at a stop light on the city street, as I proceeded through the traffic light my vehicle cut off. I had to have my vehicle towed home which was the closest destination. My 2010 buick enclave has been looked at jim murphy buick and west herr chevy and both dealerships concluded the same problem. The problem with this vehicle is the timing chain. My vehicle is no longer working, I need to replace the engine due to the malfunction of the timing chain. When seeking a reconditioned engine, the response I've gotten from auto part/engine dealers is that there have been repeated problems with the timing chain on those engines for 2010 buick enclave models and that the timing chain was not built to last long. But, the reconditioned engines timing chain is now upgraded to the new gm specs.

Filed Dec 27, 2017 · Engine · 66,000 miles · TX

The timing chains and guides used on this model, as well as some earlier models are drastically undercapable, and subject to stretching at premature times. This can cause a catastrophic engine failure. While some earlier models have been subject to recall, gm has not stepped up to the plate and fixed the issue by redesign. The issue persists, and needs to be addressed. At present, my vehicle is showing the p0008 code, repeatedly, which indicates this issue. While I have been lucky to this point, in that I have not had a catastrophic engine failure, I believe that the problem is imminent. This is a well documented issue amongst the owner community, and gm has ignored addressing it.

Filed Oct 29, 2017 · Engine, Steering · IN

Engine light came on and took into dealership for a diagnosis of issue. Was told that the timing chain had stretched and needed replaced with a cost estimate of $3000. This is the 2nd time that this has happened, the first being at 48k miles, and now at 95k miles. When the repair was being made, was told that the crank shaft was warped and had frayed the engine internally - caused by the bad timing chain and I now needed a new engine. Contacted buick, but they would not do anything about it. Buick has known about this issue for years, and yet refuses to back their product or help their customers. Once the engine was replaced, I now have a loud power steering 'whine' and was told that the power steering pump needs replaced - another known issue by buick. Just incredible.

Filed Aug 24, 2017 · Engine · 84,000 miles · WV

My 2010 buick enclave with less than 85000 miles had a catatstrophic engline failure on highway 895 in baltimore, md on 8/22/2017. We were traveling about 60 miles per hour when this happened. There was a loud noise followed by billows of white smoke and the car stopped. We had a tow truck pick it up and the service attendant at the repair place said there is a fist size hole in the engine block. This car has been well maintained and so it is bad that the engine failed. Since I live an hour and half away we haven't had a chance to take any photos.

Filed Jan 13, 2017 · Engine · 73,714 miles · MI

The service engine soon light illuminated while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and a p0008 (timing chain) code was diagnosed. After reading numerous cases online about catastrophic engine failure, the car was parked and I began dealing with buick customer service (crc) and later with the executive referral group. The buick brand quality manager said that the problem was "fixed" for the 2010 model year and that's why the gm special policy #11340c was limited to 2007-2009 model years.they refused any assistance in fixing the engine. However, the gm bulletin sb-10052863-6133 specifies 2007-2012 model years. The technician that performed the repairs (at my expense) said that the failure was identical to the 2007-2009 vehicles. They even had parts on hand- which shows the extent of the problem. As of this writing, there are 65 other complaints in this database of this problem on the enclave and it's siblings. The federal safety agency id 10052863 lists 75 associated products. Clearly, there are many more 2010 failures if every product is evaluated. This is a safety defect that should have a campaign issued. Loss of engine power and the resulting loss of steering and brake assist is clearly a danger to the passengers and all surrounding people and property. Previous campaigns, such as the gm ignition switch issue, show that loss of steering and brake assist due to loss of engine power is a safety issue. A service engine soon light does not convey the potential gravity of the situation.

Filed Nov 24, 2015 · Engine · 68,838 miles · AZ

I was driving straight on the highway when the engine light came on, the engine started to run very rough, and very shortly thereafter (about one mile) the engine died. The car had to be towed to a mechanic where they found a broken timing chain that caused severe damage to the cylinder head, valves, and camshaft caps and sensors. While it was in for service they did correct recall 14187 front safety belt anchor however they charged me for replacing the rear lift-gate struts which should have been covered by recall 15240. Reimbursement request attached. While researching recalls I came across 10287 - customer satisfaction program addressing problems with the timing chain in several gm vehicles. This turned out to be a very costly repair because of the damage done by the chain whipping around in the engine compartment. It could have been avoided if a recall had been in place. Although our vehicle is a 2010 we only just purchased it this past may. Do we have any recourse? Can we expect any compensation?

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Steering · 84,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 buick enclave. While making a right turn at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times after attempting to make a right turn. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,000. Ma 10/22/2015