2010 Buick Enclave: sudden loss of power

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 Sep 3, 2025 · Suspension, Transmission · FL

I purchased a 2010 Buick Enclave from a dealer who did not disclose any major issues with the vehicle. After purchase, I began experiencing significant problems while driving, including difficulty shifting, loss of power, and unstable handling. Concerned for my safety, I took the Buick to a mechanic for inspection. The mechanic verified that: •The wrong transmission had been installed in the vehicle, causing unsafe shifting and performance issues. •The driveshaft was malfunctioning, which affects the stability and control of the SUV. •No warning or check engine lights were on •CV axel bolts were zip tied closed Because of these defects, the mechanic told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. These problems were never disclosed to me at the time of sale, and I would not have purchased the vehicle had I known.

Filed Feb 11, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · OH

While driving down the road, the locks on the doors will suddenly lock, unlock, lock and unlock. After that the engine slows way down losing power, then it will be okay to give it more gas and it speeds up. The last couple of times this happened, the car lost all power and stahled.

Filed Feb 22, 2021 · Engine · 135,000 miles · OK

The 2010 buick enclave has been well kept. I had just purchased it and only drove it for 2 months. I was driving on the freeway at 70miles per hour then the check engine light came on and the car lost power down to 40miles I had to pull off the freeway. Almost hit. The hole system shut down it wouldn't start at all had it towed to the dealer they said the timing chain jummped and locked up your motor it will be 10 thousand to fix I dont have that kind of money so now I m paying a loan on a car that does not work.

Filed Feb 8, 2021 · 144,095 miles · MO

While driving in single digit temps in icy road conditions in traffic using the brakes a lot my traction control light came in and I got a service your traction control system and engine power was reduced causing me to not have control of the vehicle in heavy traffic and dangerous road conditions. Traction control will not come back on after the vehicle has been turned off and restarted. Road conditions were so bad traffic was moving 5-10mph on highway. The reduced engine power happened as soon as I started turning right on another road due to how slick the highway was.

Filed Dec 13, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 116,164 miles · MI

2010 buick enclave with 116,164 miles, just over 10,00 per year, engine developed a spun rod bearing and quit while driving. Steering lost power and engine stopped. I had to push it backwards to get out of an intersection. I had just started a right turn. 22 month earlier the timing chain stretched on the vehicle costing $2000 in repairs. Oil was changed every 5000 or less miles and used mobile 1 synthetic oil the entire time. This and owners of earlier model years report this same problem from this vehicle. A well maintained vehicle should not have these two problems which points to some failure in design or manufacture. Vehicle is now junk.

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 Aug 5, 2019 · Transmission · 75,477 miles · OH

In 2017@75,477 miles my car lost power on the highway, could not get it to go over 40mph. Drove to dealer & turned out to be timing chain which is a known issue in my type of car. Dealer repaired car at warranty price, even though my warranty had run out & took 40% off since I had been such a great customer. They had some kind of incentive money available.fast forward to april 2019 @ 95,000 mikes, car is losing power again on highway especially when merging, must floor gas pedal to get car to go, engine light on intermittently at first, but now on permanently, timing chain code (p0008) comes up & dealer says it will be an estimated cost of $2500 to repair, must pull engine again. Timing chain repair from 2017 only under warranty for 1 year or 12,000. I went 2 years & 20,000 since repair. Dealer only willing to discount repair needed now @ 25%. This is a known issue with my car especially the 2008, 2009 & 2010 models. There are tons of on-line complaints about timing chains in my type car & there should have been some type of recall on the timing chains/belts in these cars. It is a known problem. Not safe when driving on highway & problem can occur at any time without warning.you lose power & can get stuck in middle of nowhere. Unsafe!

Filed Sep 17, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 100,000 miles · KY

At slow speeds the power steering goes in and out intermittently. The loss of power steering is only for a second or two but the sensation seems to be dangerous if the steering function did not return instantly. This loss of power steering is identical to the power steering loss that is the subject of a current gmc sierra truck recall.

Filed Jul 30, 2018 · Electrical · 80,259 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 buick enclave. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (donnell ford, 7955 market st, youngstown, oh 44512), but the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,259.

Filed Jun 27, 2018 · Steering · 120,000 miles · MN

I have a 2010 buick enclave with 142,000 miles. I purchased it used at about 70,000 miles. Overall, have been happy with the car but a few months ago I ran into a scary situation that I did not anticipate. I nearly drove into the side of another car when making a left turn from a stoplight with two lanes turning left (I was in the left-most lane and there was another car on my immediate right). My power steering quit on the turn. That night when I got home I checked the fluid and it was right in the middle of band and showed no signs of visibile degradation. I also searched online about this issue and found it is a very common problem with 2010 buick enclaves. And from what I have read it is not clear to the dealerships if this problem is a rack&pinion issue or pump or what. Some have been denying there is a generic problem at all. Others have confessed there is a generic design flaw in the system. I don't know if anyone has been killed due to this generic problem but I am certain there must have been some accidents! I warned my wife about the problem and have asked her to not even drive the car unless absolutely necessary. Gm needs to recall and fix this problem. My trial and error testing shows the problem occurs whether turning right or left. It does not happen every time at low speed turns - I would guess 50-60% of the time. No issues when tracking straight ahead. Again - a real safety hazard particularly if turning in front of oncoming traffic and it were to quit and it delays your turn time.same if turning to merge into oncoming traffic- loss of steering could delay your ability to merge and result in a rear end collision. I am 61 yo and have owned a number of cars over the years and have never lost power steering before. Unless this is remedied properly by gm I am not sure I would buy another buick or gm product.

Filed Feb 7, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 189,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 buick enclave. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of engine power. Also, the check engine, traction control, and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was operable after being manually restarted. The vehicle was taken to big lake automotive (19868 172nd st nw, big lake, mn), but the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.