Buick Enclave sudden acceleration problems

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 Apr 22, 2024 · Steering · 83,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lunged forward while accelerating. The failure was more persistent at speeds of 40 MPH and lower. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, while turning the steering wheel to the left or the right there was a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle had been taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 125,639 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while idling or at a complete stop, the vehicle lunged forward upon acceleration. The contact then stated that while shifted to park, the vehicle inadvertently started. The contact also stated that she heard a screeching sound in the wheels while shifting in the first gear, and intermittently in second and third gear. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine warning light was previously illuminated; however, after driving the vehicle, the check engine light turned off. The vehicle was taken three times to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the warranty was not honored, and no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 125,639.

Filed Nov 29, 2020 · Body, Engine · 25,000 miles · FL

I have had this new car just over for 1 year, im prior service military and was able to purchase this 2019 buick enclave for me on father's day last year because pur other car broke down on a family road trip. So I garage my vehicles I noticed a oil leak on the garage I didn't want to think it was from this car so I watched it seemed to be intermediate at times but recently got worse so I took it in told them and they said it was a bad oil filter but the oil filter is opposite side of the car from where this leak is dripping on my driver's side. So I just went under there to see what I could find I too was a mechanic in the army and outside as a civilian after so I looked took me 5 seconds to locate it that is the picture of the leak. Then I noticed rust cracks on my frame so I looked more and discovered the rust cracks are on the bottom and topside of the frame. So I did some research and saw coming up in dec a recall is going to happen for cracked frames on the buick enclave 2020 but starting from build date's 3 months after mine was built but mine shows all the systems of that recall but isn't included. Also I had a issue with the starter stop my family and I were stopped at a red light on a city street with a car infront of us when the engine stopped normally then when it turned back on my RPM kept going up like your pushing the excellorator peddle but I wasn't because my foot was on the brake when I look down I eased up a bit on the brake and it shot forward on me I didn't hit the car infront of me because I depressed harder on the brake to hold it. Thats when I started looking and saw this recall soon to come out.

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 buick enclave. While the vehicle was in neutral, it suddenly accelerated at a high speed. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck in position. The contact attempted to apply the brakes; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact applied the emergency brake and the passenger turned off the ignition. The contact drove the vehicle home. While driving to luther brookdale chevrolet (located at 6701 brooklyn blvd, brooklyn center, mn 55429, 612‑326‑3850), the failure recurred. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

Filed Mar 17, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 69,400 miles · NY

While driving a sensor came on for staiblitraks and no all wheel drive mode was disabled and ABS came on. Car started to jerk or lunge forward numerous times, until car got up to speed. After I shut the car off and my wife & son who was in a bowling tournement, we came out and started the car and I noticed that when I put the brakes on at first there wasn't any till I started moving.

Filed Mar 6, 2019 · Acceleration · 18,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 buick enclave. While driving 70 MPH, the contact engaged the cruise control for assistance with driving in traffic. Once the cruise control was disengaged, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact managed to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal for more than two minutes. The vehicle was taken to sims buick-gmc (3100 elm rd ne, warren, oh 44483, (330)-984-4690) to be diagnosed, but no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 18,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2017 · Transmission · 143,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buick enclave. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and made an abnormal noise. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2014 · Acceleration · 54,000 miles · WI · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 buick enclave. The contact stated that while entering a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. Also, the contact mentioned that steam was emitting from the radiator. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The manufacturer was contacted and did not offer a remedy. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 54,000.

Filed Nov 7, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 75,000 miles · FL

This car has a whinning noise coming from the steering column that gets louder the more drive it. I have contacted the buick care dept and they indicated it is a known problem but they will not fix it. They had me take my car to the buick place where I purchased the vehicle and they come up with about 1900.00 to fix this and say that it is a known problem with the buick steering that some housing is too close to the steering column and it creates the noise and steering problems and that buick and everyone else is aware of it and that they should issue a recall but do not. In addition I have engine stalling problems where there is lack of power upon sudden acceleration. This happens frequently.