Buick Enclave jerking problems

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Electrical · FL

I am reporting three unexpected vehicle behaviors that raise safety concerns. While stopped at a red light with the transmission in Drive and my foot remaining on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly lurched forward. I had not released the brake. On another occasion, after I had parked and turned the vehicle off, the driver’s power seat moved all the way backward and the seatback reclined all the way down without my intentionally activating those adjustments. Afterward, while the vehicle was still off, the doors repeatedly locked and unlocked without anyone touching the controls. I am concerned about unexpected vehicle movement and uncommanded operation of the seat and door locks. I request that the federal safety agency review these incidents for a possible safety defect.

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 Aug 31, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

I purchased this used 2016 Buick Enclave in July 2026. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began repeatedly jerking and hesitating while driving. During occurrences, Traction Control/StabiliTrak warnings appeared and the vehicle experienced loss of power and difficulty accelerating normally. I reported the jerking/drivability problem to the selling dealer. On July 27, 2026, the selling dealer attempted a repair after I reported the jerking/drivability problem. Within approximately five minutes of leaving the dealership, the vehicle began jerking again. I then took the vehicle to an auto-parts store, where an OBD-II scan produced multiple diagnostic trouble codes, including P0300 engine misfire and several MAP-sensor-related codes. I have photographs documenting the scan results. The vehicle became disabled shortly thereafter and required towing. It was subsequently evaluated by an independent repair facility, where the MAP sensor was replaced. The vehicle later again experienced the jerking/loss-of-power condition and StabiliTrak/Traction Control warnings. On August 10, the vehicle became disabled again. These incidents have occurred while driving in traffic. When the condition occurs, I cannot reliably accelerate or maintain normal vehicle operation, creating a safety concern because I may be unable to move safely with surrounding traffic. The specific cause is UNKNOWN. The vehicle has been evaluated by the selling dealer and an independent repair facility and is being taken to an authorized Buick dealership for further diagnosis. The vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Electrical · MS

My vehicle starts displaying traction control on the dash then says reduced engine power and looses power starting until u stop turn it off and crank it back up. Sometimes it runs really rough and you have to crank it back up. The ac goes in and out on it, sometimes it jerks while driving, after having a new transmission put in, 3 starters, 2 batteries! Everyone keeps telling me it’s something electrical but can’t figure out what or where. Replaces mass air flow sensor also

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 72,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving in traffic at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The horn and wipers turned on unexpectedly. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was inoperable and the vehicle jerked. The doors failed to unlock, and the air conditioner was inoperable on a hot day, and the contact had symptoms of hyperventilation. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll up or down. Eventually, the vehicle failed to turn off, and the owner disconnected the battery. A towing company was called to tow the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

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 Feb 16, 2026 · Transmission · NC

No first gear. Engine stalls if car is brought to a halt. On take off, car will stall if given too much throttle. If able to roll from dead stop, it will jerk and hesitate as if in too high of gear or dragging clutch.

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

The engine and fuel pump system failed while driving the vehicle. It is available upon request to inspect. I just towed it to the shop today on 10/22/25 to get a full inspection. My sister and I were put at risk while driving towards a hill in San Francisco. It was on a busy main road when suddenly the vehicle began to jerk and thud back and forth. While I pushed the gas pedal, I began to question why the vehicle was suddenly reacting this way. In efforts to pull over to the side, a huge smoke fog began to come out of the exhaust pipe. As I tried to reach the curb the car didn’t want to move any further as I pushed on the gas. I put it in park and called the tow truck (receipts below) while there were cars passing me by almost causing an accident. I have looked online to see if there was a problem or recall with this vehicle having the same issue I was having. Come to find out there was a recall issued for certain vehicles only, with the same issue as my vehicle. The vehicle was taken into a local auto shop, where they diagnosed it and inspected it. The reports show it has the same exact issues with the car as those that were recalled. No there were not any warning signs nor failure signals. Due to this reason, I was completely caught off guard.

Filed Apr 6, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Driving on the interstate at approx. 70 MPH when the vehicle made a lurch forward motion. The vehicle lost power.we were near a exit ramp and coast to the intersection. Vehicle would start but would not shift out of park. We could not move the vehicle. It would not even go into neutral to push the vehicle to safety. The police were called to direct traffic, while waiting for a tow truck. We attempted to restart the vehicle several time so we could it in neutral during the next 45 minutes . The police had to leave and made a final try to put the vehicle in neutral after restarting, it went into neutral . The vehicle was pushed to the shoulder and the police put flares out to advise of a disabled vehicle, and left the scene. After about 2hours and 50 minutes the tow truck arrived. The truck operator got into the vehicle, started the vehicle and put it into drive and drove it onto the flat bed tow truck. Vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was purchased. We bought the buick new, 2024, with 3 miles on it. When this occurred it had 1814 miles on it march 13th 2024. Our phone app for my buick states that diagnostics results shows engine and transmission system to service now. Today is april 6 2024. Vehicle still not repaired. Cause of problem a sensor or transmission over heated and locked up the transmission. Once it cooled it could be moved. Buick customer care were notified case # available