8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,440
Average Mileage:
91,350 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace transmission (3 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
  3. repair clutch plate (1 reports)
  4. replace wave plate (1 reports)
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problem #7

Jun 292020

Enclave CKL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,148 miles

I have low mileage on the car and kept the car in A-one condition. All of a sudden the transmission goes.

- Margaret V., Brighton, ON, Canada

problem #6

Oct 152018

Enclave CXL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

9/14/14 Fuel Injector, Fuel Pump replaced and air induction was cleaned, Water Pump replaced.

10/24/14 (rental car needed) Returned to dealer on 11/4/14 (rental car needed) for engine light continuing to come on, evaporator leak repaired evaporator line connection.

11/13/14 (rental car needed) returned to dealer check engine light on again, cannister purge valve has internal fault, valve is not sealing causing evap leak, replaced evap purge valve.

12/17/14 Returned to Dealer check engine light on again car jerking surging forward as it did before dying early October and smells of fuel. Replaced three ignition coils #1, 2 and 5. (rental car needed).

5/2017 - car making very loud noise when turning left and whirring noise when braking. Geralds replaced front two struts, states motor mounts broken. Warranty coverage is minimum so $800 out of pocket is required.(rental car needed) Car is still making exact same noises.

6/20/17 Geralds tells us they have checked everything and unless replace steering system the noises will be there and there is nothing wrong with the car. (no rental needed).

8/20/17 died AGAIN engine shut down Towed to dealer per instruction of warranty company. (rental car needed) (unable to provide rental/loaner car as we are not premier customers) Fuel Injector replaced (AGAIN). Car returned to us smelling like fuel and fuel was spilled all over under hood $300 deductible paid for warranty coverage. We were assured they would review all the records and safety recalls while they had the car.

9/20/17 Attempting to evacuate from hurricane on interstate with family, engine light comes on car starts jerking. AGAIN. Dealer GMC will not accept car until after hurricane. No car for a week (rental car needed) Dealer states no loaners but will give us their rental car rate of $38/day. Dealer calls and states it is not the work they just did despite exact same issues but it is that the ignition coil #5 is bad (AGAIN) and timing belt cover gasket is leaking. Requiring another $300 deductible. Explained that this is same problem and should not have to pay another deductible. Dealer says that it is per visit. (Currently in a rental car again).

4/16/18 Finally was able to get GMC to honor the wave plate notice (because not allowed to say recall), wave plate replaced kept vehicle for over 2 weeks.

4/10/18 The mechanic at Buick states $1500 for another repair for solunoids which is consisently damaged from wave plate. The mechanic did not take apart the transmission but only used codes to diagnose. The car shows every sign of wave plate failure. The customer service department called me and all they could say was we stand behind our dealerships.

10/10/18 Again vehicle is having same issues with jerking transmission, being told it is clutch 1,2,3,4 failure, and clutch plate failure. This is the exact same thing vehicle was doing in April. Entire transmission was broken down when replacing wave plate but never noticed the clutch plate was failing?? $600 charge and we are only being charged for labor. Also engine light is on and hood lift pole missing since being in shop in April.

- Anna K., Charleston, SC, US

problem #5

Jan 012015

Enclave CXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Bought used 2009 Buick Enclave, noticed the transmission slipping the first month, everyone said it was me, and I wasnt used to driving the car yet. A month or so later, its still slipping, I contact the dealer who says I would have to pay for them just to look at it. Took it to a local shop, the test drove it, nothing happened, the placed it on the reader, and there were no codes. Now its missing gears, and has stalled out on me a few times!!!

I am now paying to have my whole transmission replaced. I believe the wave plate corrupted my transmission. This is all BS, that I am dealing with now. Spoke to GM and they said that the wave plate is only under extended warranty and that I would have to pay the dealer rates for them to diagnose it just to see if it has anything to do with the wave plate.

They really need to step it up!!! I DONT HAVE THE TIME TO BE CARLESS, OR PAY for some dealer to lie to me and say theres nothing wrong.

- Merissa W., Battle Creek, MI, US

problem #4

Aug 212014

Enclave CXL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,206 miles

Very annoying and eventually dangerous to drive. The Car would "jump" from 2nd to 3rd gear without any warning

- michaelvillani, Pickering, ON, Canada

problem #3

Mar 212015

Enclave LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,565 miles

Again...a transmission problem with an Enclave. No surprise here on this site. I wish I would have found this before I bought this lemon. So on the weekend, my transmission suddenly starts slipping, jerking and shuddering, especially after being driven for any length of time. Of course I am a week outside of my extended warranty and I get transmission problems...as though it has been programmed to do so!

Today I get a letter in the mail from GM stating that my year and model may experience wave plate problems and it needs to be diagnosed only if I experience any of the listed problems (loss of 1st, 3rd or 5th gear as well as reverse). I phone my dealer, tell them of my sudden tranny problems and mention the letter. Apparently they can't see it for 2 and 1/2 weeks because their tranny expert is on vacation.

I try another dealer who will see it, but must first "diagnose" the problem at $109.99/hour. If they deem it has anything to do with the wave plate, they will discuss reimbursing me. If not, I am out the cost of the diagnostic plus the cost of repairs. I ask them if they haven't already made enough money off of me because I bought the car of them, I bought an extended warranty off them and I regularly get it serviced with them. I said they should look at it for free and then give me my options. No....this is not how it works! First they have to bleed you dry with the diagnosis and then they will decide if your problem is worthy of repair, even though this vehicle is only at 120k and is already having transmission problems.

This is about the fifth time I have had it in for recalls. It spends a lot of time in the shop. I will have it fixed and them get rid of it. I will never ever own a Buick, or any other GM product again. Stand behind your product GM. I hope you go bankrupt for good this time.

- E T., Scarborough, ON, canada

problem #2

Dec 252014

Enclave CX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,242 miles

I can't believe the number of complaints on this website and others regarding the transmission in the Enclave. We are another victim of the wave plate failure. A six year old vehicle should not have to have a transmission replaced at just over 120,000 km. The new transmission cost us $5300 plus over $500 to rent a car for 10 days.

This issue is a safety concern. We were on the highway and the Enclave wouldn't shift out of 2nd gear. We were able to pull over, shut if off, restart it and baby it back out on the highway. We were fine until we had to stop, then it wouldn't shift again. It was very dangerous and frustrating and the thought of being stranded on a highway in the middle of winter is not very comforting.

We have owned nothing but GM products for the past 30 years. I am so disappointed with GM not acknowledging that this is a known issue that I have lost my faith in the GM brand. Come on GM stand behind your product!!

- salberta, Fort McMurray, Alberta, canada

problem #1

Oct 012014

Enclave

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

The problem was happening when I test drove the car...The salesman told us it was normal in GM cars...

- Lori P., Kunkletown, PA, US