Buick Enclave overheating problems

Filed May 19, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MO

The Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system activates unexpectedly and dangerously. Incident 1 5/7/2026: While driving approximately 2 mph in a drive-thru and rounding a curve, the vehicle suddenly applied full braking without warning. The braking force was severe enough that I struck my face on the steering wheel and my child was thrown forward in a secured car seat. Incident 2 5/19/2026: While merging onto a busy road behind a semi truck, the vehicle again applied sudden hard braking after I safely merged. This caused the vehicle behind me to nearly rear-end me, creating a high-risk traffic situation. These events occurred with no obstacle or reason that would justify emergency braking. In addition, the vehicle developed a coolant leak around 20,000 miles, raising concerns about overall reliability and potential related system issues. The unexpected braking presents a serious safety hazard and increases the risk of rear-end collisions and injury. The vehicle is being brought to a dealer for inspection, but the issue is intermittent and may not be easily reproduced.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · FL

Car was purchased on 1/2/25 and first issue with vehicle was on 1/30/25 for check engine light. Feb 20,2025-Check engine light, car shakes, radio and dash go in and out, passenger rear window screeches. issues fixed except vibration. May 26, 2025 check engine light. rear window still making noise-fixed . Trunk gets stuck-no fix. Unaligned lane assist, car continues to shake. Sept, 26 2025-Brakes continue to make noise and now pulsate. Dealer found that pads and rotors were warped and had discoloration, and were replaced under warranty at 11,845 miles. CAR WAS IN SERVICE FROM SEPT 26-OCT 23, 2025. BRAKE NOISE STARTED 2 DAYS LATER-TEXTED ADVISOR Dec 4-Car continues to shake and brakes continue to make squealing noise. Have email from GM TAC stating "SOME noise from the brakes is a normal characteristic, especially if the brakes are cold or wet. this is a condition we have no control over as it has to deal with the environment and weather. I LIVE IN FLORIDA! CAR WAS IN SERIVCE DEC 4-DEC 26, 2025. NO RESOLUTION AGAIN Feb 6-Car leaking and overheating, passenger rear window not going down, exterior antenna cover came off, still shaking and brakes still squeaking. I WAS TOLD BRAKES ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NOTHING THE CAN DO AFTER 7,500 MILES YET THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED AT 11k MILES AND I'VE VOICE CONCERN FOR MONTHS AND NOTHING WAS DONE BEFORE. AND OTHERS WERE REPLACED EVEN OVER 7,50MILES I am concerned over the safety of myself and my family with these continues brake issues.

Filed Jun 3, 2024 · Engine · LA

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Enclave. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags). The contact had not experienced a failure with the air bags; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started overheating with the engine temperature hot. The contact added coolant until being able to get to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed by dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 3, 2023 · Electrical · AL

When starting our 2020 Buick Enclave I noticed the low voltage battery light stayed illuminated after startup. A message followed on the message center located in the center of the gauge cluster. The message read Service Electrical Charging System. Followed by a message stating Low Voltage Vehicle Ma Stall. This particular vehicle only has 38,000 miles on it and I have not experienced any issues with the electrical charging system prior to this incident. There have been no indication as to the battery or alternator failing (ex. dim lights, flickering lights, malfunctioning electronics/electrical equipment, unusual noises coming from engine bay). I acknowledged the messages with the button on the steering wheel. I proceeded to drive and the low voltage light went off shortly after. I proceeded to drive approximately 75 miles without incident. Shortly before arriving at my destination the low voltage warning light illuminated and the messages appeared on the center screen on the instrument screen. I again acknowledged the messages ,but this time the low voltage light stayed illuminated until I shut the vehicle off at my destination. I visually inspected the battery post, connections, serpentine belt, and alternator. Nothing looked out of the ordinary and all connections were tight and free from corrosion. Nothing smelled burnt as it would if wiring overheated or alternator. I proceeded to start the vehicle. The vehicle started without hesitation and the low voltage light was not illuminated. I proceeded to drive to a local parts store which was a couple of miles away. On the way to the parts store the low voltage light came on and the messages appeared. I left the vehicle running at the parts store. The employee tested both alternator and battery. The alternator was showing that it was failing only producing 8.6 volts to the battery while the vehicle was running. I proceeded to leave the store. At this point all electrical shutdown simultaneously. Vehicle to be towed.

Filed May 17, 2022 · Engine · 160,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owned a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at 20 MPH, a warning message indicating that the vehicle was overheated illuminated. The contact pulled into a nearby parking lot. The contact then opened the hood of the vehicle by engaging the power release button inside of the vehicle. The contact saw black smoke and flames coming out from underneath the hood. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact attempted to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle remained at the scene. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in a recall associated with the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V240000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 30,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving downhill, he shifted to a lower gear and was depressing on the brake pedal however, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact also stated that the RPM was very high. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued driving but had to stop 5 times to allow the vehicle to cool down. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer. The mechanic found no failure with the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. Contact was on top of Pikes Peak in Colorado. The fast idle has the engine revved to high so that when foot was off the brake on a 5-8% slope the car accelerates to 6500RPM with in 250 feet taking the car to 30MPH in low gear. Consumer had to push on the brakes constantly, all the way down the mountain which caused the brakes to severely overheat. Park ranger measured the temperature of the brakes at 375 degrees F it was after consumer had stopped to allow them to cool 3 times in about 4 miles. The car will idle at 950RPM stopped and will lurch forward when foot was off the brake. Driving on the highway speeds its fine but not on switchback mountain roads.

Filed Jan 27, 2021 · Engine · 126,700 miles · FL

At 77,136 miles, engine overheated without warning while driving. Car towed, radiator replaced. At 126,700 miles, while idling, car overheated. Driver pulled over and turned off engine x 30 minutes. Drove 1.5 mi when car began sputtering, beeping, and smoking. Car towed to dealership. Required new radiator, water pump and engine block.

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Lights · 38,545 miles · ID

While driving at night on a busy city street, both headlights went out. It scared me to death. I quickly switched the lights from auto to manual and they came back on. Within seconds, however, they went off, again and did not come back on. I was able to make it home without incident, but very frightened. I took the car to the dealer to diagnose the problem. When they removed the bulb and ballast, they discovered that the entire headlight apparatus had warped by overheating. This was the same on both headlights. I was told the cost to repair would be approximately $2,800 for parts, plus labor. They also told me that the vehicle warranty did not cover the problem. It is clear the problem is a defect, rather than a matter of reasonable wear and use. I have seen that other identical complaints have been lodged with the federal safety agency. Additionally, there are multiple complaints on-line of similar problems. For the safety of all who may be driving this make and model, I respectfully request that a recall order be issued.

Filed Oct 13, 2019 · Engine · 74,000 miles · IA

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.

Filed Jul 25, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 220,000 miles · IN

The car was spitting d sputter and overheating on the main hightway... Engine light started flashing a d it showed misfires on cylinders 2,4,6.... The problem is on going and has had my 2 year old and myself sitting on the side of the road in 110 degree heat index waiting on a tow truck!. We were driving straight down the main highway. Then the accelerator would be floored but the vehicle wouldnt move at all. Thus I couldnt cross the last main highway to get home. It said service stabiltract/ traction control, with wngine light flashing... Still isnt fixed