My regularly serviced 2011 buick enclave with approximately 75,000 miles on it began overheating last summer to the point when turning off the engine the radiator fan kept running. My servicing business was continually adding the recommended radiator coolant in amounts that totaled 3.7 gal. Between mid june, '18 to sept '19. I was told by the dealer the radiator holds 14.2 qts of coolant which is 3.5 gal. So it lost over its total capacity. It did the same overheating with the radiator fan running after the vehicle was turned off this past summer. There is a recall 13091 on this issue of a leaky water pump for 2008-2010 buick enclaves as well as similar years for traverses, acadias, and outlook on hfv6 engines (ly7,llt) I was told that gm did not change the faulty water pump until 2013 on the buick enclaves. The car showed no error message of overheating or low coolant on the display panel. This is a safety issue. If the water pumps goes out while driving it could cause the engine to blow with a possible engine fire, unsafe for driver and passengers.
2011 Buick Enclave engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 38 of 38, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick enclave. The contact stated that the vehicle failed inspection because the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mcguire buick gmc (1625 us-46, little falls, nj 07424, (973) 200-6609) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Driving the vehicle has rough acceleration and deacceleration, when idealing sometimes will rattle, engine light comes on and off, increased gas use
Driving on hwy at 60 miles per hour and sudden engine reduce power and stability track light are on. Can drive car more than 30 miles per hour now. And occasionally a back fire.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick enclave. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and completely shut off. The vehicle was towed to lotspeich automotive (150 nw us 50 west, warrensburg, mo 64093, (660) 747-9165) where it was diagnosed that there was metal inside the oil, and the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Alternator failed caught fire, overcharged battery, exploded battery
Cylinder misfiring for most enclaves 2, 5 6 . I have an 09 and 2011 and they both have the same misfiring issues and l see it was once fixed in 08 but now its the same issue 2018
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
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
Vehicle at 108,000, gm dealer states needs new engine for $6,800. Started making a rattling noise on acceleration and would disappear once speed leveled off. Only occurred 1-2 days prior to having it looked at with minimal driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick enclave. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The power steering pump was replaced and the failure was remedied. The contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light had illuminated. The mechanic diagnosed that the timing change needed to be repaired. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 01/11/2017*ct timing chain was repaired by independent mechanic. Rear liftgate failed. After negotiations with gm liftgate was repaired as per prior recall. The power steering failed. The timing chain failed. Updated 9/7/18
Takata recall had stop at a store got back in car put car in drive pull out car made like a door bell sound padlel to floor no speed car was not moving traction light came on stablebilty tractionl light park unable iighton eneingel light on did not go outin the first time in motiom on city street second time on highway turning06 t ta t
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.
While driving on interstate with cruise control on at 70 MPH, vehicle rpms jumped upward then engine shutdown, having to drift out of 70 MPH traffic onto shoulder of highway. Requested assistance from towing company, could not jump vehicle to start. Dealer stated that timing chains had jump or has slack and set off several dtc's preventing a no start!
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.
While traveling with cruise control set to 79 MPH, I accelerated to pass a semi that was driving erratically. After passing, I let off the gas but the gas pedal stuck. None of the cruise control buttons would work to slow us, the brakes would not slow us, eventually placing the car in neutral allowed us to safely stop along the road. Buick customer support basically said there's nothing wrong and until there's more incidents they won't do anything.
Check engine light came on and vehicle suddenly reduced speed while driving on residential street. Message displayed on panel, "engine speed is reduced." in a separate issue, we were advised by the dealership to keep driving the vehicle even if the check engine light appears to empty out the fuel. The dealership believes the fuel is bad. This may be related to the first issue, but I am unsure.
I was driving on a 2 lane road in a 55mph zone, at 40mph accelerated to pass a vehicle and accelerator pedal took over and accelerated to 87 MPH and would not release. Brake was stiff and would not slow vehicle or release accelerator. After 30 seconds of jiggling gas and brake pedals it came back under control and released. Rpm gauge was going up and down at this time as well. This problem nearly caused a crash if another car was in the lane or oncoming traffic.
2011 buick enclave, all recalls completed. When turning into driveway from a total stop vehicle experienced unexpected acceleration and crashed through part-way up garage door, side wall of garage, (right wheel over 6" concrete foundation), pushed items stored in garage into front wall and moved wall 12" into laundry room. Vehicle stopped when left front wheel hit concrete step into service door although tire left tread mark on floor until engine turned off. Distance traveled was about 2 1/2 car lengths. Damage to right front mainly. $12,300 dealer estimated damage. Driver suffered soft tissue bruising, chipped tooth, soreness. Air bags did not deploy. Odb showed no dtc codes. Vehicle visually/manually inspected by dealer per insurance company request - nothing found. Claim filed with esis/gm central claims unit. Edr, sdm & cdr data were downloaded using bosch software and pictures taken of vehicle. Data/pictures were turned over to gm investigators. Owner contacted onstar for data but nothing was received by them. However, initial sdm data indicates 'onstar deployment status data sent' and 'sdm recorded vehicle velocity change data sent.' investigation currently 3 months on-going, vehicle untouched. Vehicle also previously exhibited issue of free rolling backward or forward when stopped on an incline. Auto transmission and torque converter would not hold vehicle.
Air conditioning would run but not cool/cold. A/c high pressure hose ass'y had to be replaced, leaking. One of the fenders had to be removed to do repair. Cost $466.00.
My vehicle struck the back of a stopped semi at 25 MPH. Had sever damage to hood, driver side headlight, fender, door, window, driver side windshield, front frame, wiper motor and front bumper. Only had ignition shut off airbag and on star was not notified. After two recalls for airbags one in june or july of 2013. I took the vehicle for the second recall later that day I was hit while making a right turn by a vehicle that ran a red. I was turning from a stop. No notification again.
Gas gauge wasn't working on my 2011 buick enclave especially when weather was cold. Gas gauge would show less than was in the tank. Happened once or twice in 2012, but I thought it was a fluke. Then, several times in winter of 2013- so, I finally took it in dec 2013 after getting a message in the car of a sensor failure. They quoted $517.27 to fix it and said they didn't have time that day. Took back in early jan. Warranty just expired by 3000 miles, so I argued it should be covered. Dealership made me pay $100 towards it. They replaced the fuel level sensor. I have had it happen once again since, so I am wondering if they fixed the right part, although I would want to see it happen again to be sure before I complain again, although waiting to make sure there was a problem was what got me out of warranty when I originally took in it to have fixed. As I see the recent recall in may 2014 of only the 2013 buick enclave models for the same gas gauge issue, I am frustrated. Obviously, the problem is more pervasive than just the 2013 models. Safety of this model seems to be an issue. Now, I saw there is airbag recall, although I haven't been notified yet. I had water pump issue fail the week after I had it checked for recall notice and they had said it was fine and didn't need fixed. Scary as I got notice all of a sudden that car was shutting down and it did - luckily, I wasn't on the freeway and could pull off quickly, but I was still stranded without warning. Frustrating after I just took it in for this recall issue and was told it was fine. I've also had the liftgate issue (release switch failed), issue with driver's side door, and A/C issue - all in a car that isn't that old.
While driving on I-85 in atlanta, ga...doing 75mph in the fast lane....the engine just died...saying the engine power had been reduced....I immediately pulled over to the left lane & stopped on a divider @ exit 95(entrance to I-285) very busy area....I dialed on-star ...they said they would send a dot-hero vehicle...it never came after 1 1/2hrs...so I called aaa ...they came in 15 minutes with a flat bed truck & took me to the dealership...I was scared to death that in that intersection of hwy's someone was going to slam into me...they replaced my ignition coil #3!!!!
Water pump failed, car overheated. Stranded wife and daughter 2 hours. Part fixed under recall gm campaign 13079. Never notified of recall prior to incident.
Driving off of a highway. Sudden engine seize steering lock and zero power. Car rolled to a complete stop. Luckily we were in a turning lane and were able to roll into a safe waiting area. No one in the vehicle were injured bodily yet the mental anguish and fear was unbearable. Had this happened on the highway five minutes earlier , with the heavy traffic, I am sure there would have been much more serious outcome. The car has since been serviced. Replaced were a broken engine belt., and bad tensioner. What I don't understand is how a 3 year old car could fail so terribly. I am now petrified to drive my enclave for fear of other faulty parts. Service was performed at ferman gmc on november 11, 2013 in lutz florida. This was their first encounter with such a problem. Very scary experience for all involved. Every time I see a buck I recall that night in my mind. I still have not driven the car since it has been repaired and home. Not sure I can ever trust this brand again. I was told a faulty tensioner caused the engine belt to snap. Horrible.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 buick enclave. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat. He then discovered that engine antifreeze was leaking all over the engine and hood because the fans were still operating. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the radiator was puncture and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 11,000.
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