2011 Buick Enclave: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 10, 2023 · Engine · KY

While driving at 60 mph around a curve with an incoming semi, the car suddenly lost power and the steering locked up. By the grace of God, we were able to avoid the semi and get it off the road. Had it towed to mechanic who said the engine was blown. Regular maintenance always kept. Just had oil changed two weeks ago. This could have been deadly!!!

Filed Jul 3, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

We purchased a 2011 buick enclave for what we thought was a great deal. We were prepared to pay for basic maintenance right after purchase. The check engine light came on as we were driving on the highway. I noticed loss of power while on cruise control(set at 65mph) and the vehicle started shaking. I noticed the RPM jumping from 1 to 2 . We took the vehicle to buick for repairs. We had a tune up, 2 catalytic converters replaced, 3 o2 sensors replaced along with one other one that I'm not sure the name, oil change, struts and shocks, rear sway bar links, air filter, and a gasket manifold. We have not had this vehicle longer than 2 months. The vehicle is still doing the same thing. Today after we picked it up from the shop(no check engine light) we drove it on the highway and now the service traction control light is on along with stabilitrak control. We have 6 children. This is dangerous. What are we to do?

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Engine · 105,256 miles · DE

I was driving on the highway around 65 MPH and all of sudden l loss all engine power. I could barely steer the SUV over to the side of the road. Almost got hit from behind by another driver. Had the car towed to the repair shop and they said the motor seized up.

Filed Jul 18, 2019 · Steering · 111,200 miles · NY

I was driving yesterday and stopped at a stop sign. I started to pull out from the stop sign making a right hand turn and lost all power steering and AC shut down. I was able to get the turn by pulling hard and then it starting working right again. Very upsetting. Took car to bokmans in olean, ny. I am afraid to drive it now.

Filed Mar 5, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 93,000 miles · PA

Hello - I am writing as a concerned consumer. I currently own a 2011 buick enclave. Two weeks ago, while driving this vehicle it started making a very loud knocking noise. The car then completely shut off and became inoperable while driving down a hill. With loss of power steering and the inability to restart the engine it became a dangerous situation trying to get the vehicle stopped and safely off the road. The vehicle was taken to a garage and it was determined that the issue was a broken timing chain. This repair required the removal of the engine to replace the timing chain. Research into buick has shown that there is a bulletin out for this very issue but only for the 2009 model year. My 2011 was manufactured in 2010. For this very issue, buick has extended the manufactures warranty to 120k or 7yrs. Research shows that this timing chain issue is not exclusive to the 2009 as owners of other model years are expressing the same concerns. I am writing to file a formal complaint, as this is a safety issue that buick refuses to acknowledge. The failure of this timing chain lead to a situation that could have caused a wreck and possible injury. I have contacted buick several times and they refuse to provide financial compensation for the repairs and refuse to investigate this further. Their response is simply, there is no bulletin so there is nothing that can be done for me.

Filed Dec 11, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 139,000 miles · MI

I was driving down the highway and all of sudden the vehicle jerk back hard and I loss power and stabilize system shut down and could drive no more than 20 mile an hour. It gotten worst that my truck is jerking and shaking.

Filed Aug 28, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 60,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick enclave. When driving over a puddle of water or uneven road surface, the steering failed, various warning indicators and gauges flashed, and there was a loss of power. The dealer (bob weaver auto, 2174 west market street, pottsville, pa 17901, 570‑628‑3610) was unable to duplicate the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 82,100 miles · MD

Car RPM is increasing and lowering during driving like the tranmissio. Is preparing to change gears causing car to lose power in the middle of driving scaring me during driving. Car is in motion

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 114,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick enclave. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power, the speed decreased, and the check engine and traction control sensor indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the brakes would not function properly and made it difficult to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a hole in the engine block and the block would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (palmen buick in kenosha, wi) was notified of the failure, but the manufacturer was not. The VIN was corrected. The failure mileage was 114,000. *tt

Filed Jun 21, 2016 · Engine · 79,500 miles · MD

Car sputtered while driving at slow speed or pulling off from standing still and lost power and then stopped completely. Could not turn wheel. Traction off - stabilitrak light came on. Towed to dealer - dealer thought they repaired. Next day same thing happened but no dash lights came on. Towed again to dealer - now it needs engine harness and gm part is on back order with no date for release in future. Cannot get part anywhere. Cannot drive car.

Filed Dec 24, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 69,500 miles · DC

On three separate occasions in the past month my car lost power while I was driving. Fortunately, I was on city streets when this occurred and I was able to coast to the side of the road and restart the engine. I brought my car in to my buick dealer after the 2nd occurrence and they could find nothing wrong with it. When it happened again last week I noticed that right before I lost power the small wallet that is part of my key chain had fallen from the top of the steering wheel (where I keep it so it doesn't hit my leg). Thinking it may have jerked the ignition slightly and that may have been part of the power issue, I googled "buick enclave ignition issues" when I returned home. Immediately all of the gm ignition problems of the past few years came up; including the frightening news that my car had the exact same ignition as the recalled cars but that gm believed something about the design of the enclave (and other suvs in its class) meant that the ignition was not a problem. I am here to tell you that it is, indeed, a problem. I brought my car back to the dealer on monday and they again can "find nothing wrong with it." I have contacted gm and let them know I will not accept this vehicle until the ignition is replaced. No one should be driving this car. I shudder to think about the consequences if I had been driving my usual carpool of 5 12-year-old boys. Indeed, twice when I lost power I was in the car with my child. I am convinced this is a major problem and that everyone who owns one of these cars must be alerted to the possibiltiy of power loss.

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Steering · 74,000 miles · TX

Recently had to replace my power steering gear due to leaking seals that caused failure. Also power steering pump had to be replaced. Power steering pump is covered under special gm warranty (14329 'loss of power steering assist'), but not power steering gear. In doing research, it seems many consumers have experienced a similar issue, but gm has not issued a recall for the power steering gear.