2020 Buick Enclave: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MI · crash

Vehicle suffered a catastrophic, uncommanded electronic and mechanical system failure within 30 days of purchase, resulting in a severe crash.Prior to the incident, the vehicle exhibited a violent, unexpected jerking motion while accelerating up a highway on-ramp, though control was briefly regained. A few days later at the end of May, while driving in the rain, the electronic systems completely failed with zero dashboard warning lights or error messages appearing.The vehicle completely overrode driver input, veering uncontrollably from lane to lane on its own. Simultaneously, a total loss of braking power occurred; pressing the brake pedal had no effect on reducing the vehicle's speed. To stop the runaway vehicle and prevent hitting other drivers, I was forced to intentionally steer the SUV into a physical wall. The impact deployed components, caused orange engine coolant to leak, and forced the electronic precision shifter into Neutral on its own before the vehicle lost all electrical power. The steering wheel airbag deployed during this initial impact.Approximately 5 minutes later, while the vehicle was disabled on the road and after I had safely exited, a secondary vehicle struck my stationary car, which caused the majority of the remaining airbags to deploy.Detroit Police responded to the scene and filed an official crash report noting that I 'lost control' and struck the wall, but the responding officer failed to document the mechanical/electronic brake and steering failure reported at the scene.This simultaneous loss of eBoost braking control and electronic steering assist strongly aligns with the current federal safety investigation into GM vehicles (the federal safety agency Case PE24011). The vehicle is currently parked and being preserved exactly as-is at my residence to serve as evidence, as the module memory holds the Event Data Recorder (EDR) data proving full brake application during the failure. I am requesting an immediate investigation into this VIN.

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Engine · LA

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding serious mechanical and safety issues with my 2020 Buick Enclave. These issues have created ongoing financial hardship, significant safety concerns, and an urgent need for investigation and resolution. Over the past several months, my vehicle has repeatedly displayed low‑oil notifications, sometimes occurring within one month of receiving a full oil change. During a recent visit to my mechanic for yet another low‑oil alert, he recalled that I had previously brought the vehicle in for the same issue. After conducting a more thorough inspection, he informed me that there was a failure within the engine/transmission assembly. He showed me the area where oil was seeping from the engine. I also inspected the oil filter and oil plug, both of which showed no signs of leakage. Following this diagnosis, I brought the vehicle to Royal Buick GMC. Their service department performed a SAVI Dongle test and a GM‑Certified Multi‑Point Inspection. The service technician informed me that the vehicle requires a complete engine replacement including the following: replacement of the engine, repair of a rear main seal failure, resealing of the oil pan, and replacement of the lower control arm. It is my belief that these issues are consistent with reported problems. In addition to the oil‑related failures, I have experienced sudden acceleration and jerking while driving. These incidents are alarming and pose a serious risk to my safety and the safety of others on the road. I am deeply concerned that this defect could lead to an accident through no fault of my own. This vehicle is my only means of transportation for work and for caring for my family. The cost and severity of the required repairs are catastrophic, and I believe the manufacturer should be held responsible for addressing these defects. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate these issues and assist in ensuring that GM/Buick replaces the engine for its safe operation.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Buick Enclave. The vehicle was reversed out of the driveway; however, after shifting into drive(D) and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked, vibrated, and the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. After several minutes, the vehicle functioned as intended. A short distance later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was taken to a private dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter was clogged, and that the electronic brake control center module and the transmission module had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 27, 2020 · Brakes, Transmission · 3,300 miles · MD

Vehicle jerks at low speeds when accelerating. Brakes grind when applied at hard braking or regular braking.

Filed Jul 1, 2020 · Transmission · 100 miles · KS

Bought brand new 2020 buick enclave, with 4 miles on it, on 6/13/20. Started having transmission problems almost immediately. The car would jerk hard (hard shift) when pushing on the gas and also anytime it was placed in park. On 6/21/20 the check engine light came on and the vehicle would barely shift. Called local buick - gm dealership to get repaired. Local shop restarted computer on 6/24/20 and said that it was good to go. Drove it less than 3 miles before service engine light came back on and jolting started again. On the drive back to the dealership the vehicle came to a hard jolting abrupt stop on the road. Vehicle would no longer start or shift. Had to leave vehicle in the middle of the road until dealership could come get it. On 6/26/20 dealership called to say that the vehicle was running good and ready to pick up. On 6/27/20 drove car about 15 minutes before the hard shift started happening again and the check engine light came back on. When attempting to shift into reverse, the vehicle hard jolted us backwards and then died. The vehicle would no longer start or shift gears. On 6/28/20 got the vehicle to start so drove the vehicle, as it was still hard shifting, back to the dealership and dropped it off. The dealership still has it as of today and has refused to give us any paperwork from our previous 2 attempts at getting it fixed however gave us falsified documentation stating that we only brought it in the shop 1 time, when it actually is the 3rd time to be taken in for the same problem to be fixed. Gm has refused to replace this defective vehicle nor return our money paid for it.

Filed Jun 22, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 600 miles · KS

I bought a 2020 buick enclave, (owned by gmc) with 6 miles on it, 1 week ago. Yesterday the check engine light came on and the car started jerking anytime the transmission switched gears. I called to try to get it in to a certified buick dealership to be looked at and nowhere can get it in for 3-5 days and none of the dealerships will give a loaner car until the time of the vehicle appointment. I contacted buick directly regarding this and they told me the same thing, that we can't get a safe driving vehicle, until the one we have can be looked at by a dealership and if we take it to an un-certified shop that it would not be covered. So now I am stuck with either driving an unsafe car 50 miles on the highway to work for the next few days or not being able to go to work. This is a brand new car driven straight out of the floor room! Buick is putting people's life at risk by insisting that we drive this unsafe vehicle on the highway until we can get it looked at! Looks like a huge lawsuit in the making!!!!!