8.9
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $3,030
- Average Mileage:
- 105,500 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 24 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace timing chain (16 reports)
- not sure (4 reports)
- replace engine (4 reports)
Bought my 2010 Enclave on July 19th 2019. About a month later we realized it was idling rough and the RPMs were going up and down and up and down while at a stoplight idling. Then soon after the service engine soon light came on and I was throwing a P0016 code. Within two weeks of the service engine soon light coming on I had left Walmart with a car full of groceries. Slowing down from 65 on the highway to make a right hand turn, coming out of my turn to straighten the wheel I noticed I had no power steering the engine was dead. That fateful grocery shopping trip was the last Trip it ever took.
Finally got it towed to a repair shop in Hays Kansas only to be told I’d be looking at $8500 for a used Buick Enclave motor. That the timing chain had come apart in my car and it would now be needing a new motor. Just starting to go through a divorce I didn’t have money for a new motor. It’s been two years and the Enclave is still sitting at Hays Kansas at the repair shop and not fixed. So over the last two years I’ve been spending my money on making my monthly payments good news is it’s now paid off and it hasn’t been able to run in the last two years. I would not ever purchase a 2009 through 2011 Buick Enclave ever again.
I’ll tell you what, save yourself the trouble and just send me the money, maybe I can get that hunk of junk running someday. For $13,000 and all I got to drive it was 2000 miles it goes without saying I am extremely disappointed with Buick/GM as a whole. If anyone has any recommendations on how to have this motor partially covered or can point me in the right direction please feel free to message me at taborhater@yahoo.com.
- Ashley S., Great Bend, Ks, US
I owned this vehicle since it had 33,000 miles on it and followed the recommended maintenance schedule including regular oil changes. To have a major mechanical part like this fail at just over 100k miles is ridiculous. Paid the bill to have it fixed in hopes this would be the last major issue encountered with it.
- Dan M., Star Prairie, WI, US
I have owned GM cars and trucks since I was a teenager. I am 65 years old. Like all of my cars, I took excellent care of our 2010 Buick Enclave CXS, with all regular oil changes using the recommended oil, and all scheduled maintenance at all suggested intervals. I am a gauge watcher and a cautious, steady, normal driver. I replaced the evaporator and water pump at a cost of $3005 at Clarke Automotive Systems. The day I got the car back, I noticed intermittent engine noise, and 48 hours later I experienced total engine failure.
Six mechanics at two locations diagnosed timing chain stretch to failure as the cause of engine failure. New engine estimate is $8000. I am out the entire car and the 3005 dollars for the repair, and a $66 towing fee. Sleepless nights will eventually cease. I will never purchase another GM automobile again...
- Marie C., Brandon, FL, US
This was the second time the timing chain went out on this vehicle in the four and a half years of ownership. Tried everything to get the dealership to cover this under warranty but their timing chains are only covered for 1 year or 10,000 miles.... the first replacement only lasted 9500 miles. Currently doing everything in our power to get enough of this money pit paid off to ditch it asap. DO NOT BUY A 2010 ENCLAVE.
- Hayden T., Duluth, MN, US
Timing chain went out on our Enclave after purchasing it used. We got it replaced at our local Chevy dealer because no other "local" shop would touch that project... the situation was terrible.
- Hayden T., Duluth, MN, US
Just tired of hearing rattle every time you crank it. It rattles when you crank it.
- Rodney C., Henagar, AL, US
click to see larger images
Well I really loved my beautiful 2010 Buick Enclave until it started no shifting in 3rd. So we took it to our mechanic and it was put on high grade tester and was told there was error code P0008. That means timing chain and cost would be $4500.00 to fix.
Help us please!
- She'lia H., Rocky Mount, MO, US
started having problems with vehicle shortly after purchasing from dealer. I brought issues up with the dealer and he said he'd have the vehicle fixed. He had fixed the other problems the vehicle had. After fixing those other issues, three days later the check engine light came back on and same problems persisted! So I just ended up taking it to a local certified mechanic shop to have them diagnose the problem. Come to find out, it's been the timing chain the whole time. Don't buy a Buick Enclave 2010.
- Israel R., Clovis, US
Never ever buy a used Buick Enclave from 2010. Purchased 11/1/2017 from local dealership (believe they threw a party after I left with this piece of junk). 5 months later check engine light comes on with a codeP0008, engine ignition systems. Talk with local mechanic said most likely is stretched timing belt & told to go to Buick dealership because some repairs of this issue covered under an extended warranty campaign from Buick. Dealer checked VIN# & this is not covered even though its the same issue that was recalled by Buick & fixed in 2008-2009 models that had this motor in it.
Dealer more than happy to make $2,500 fix & said they did a lot of these. Contacted Buick Customer Care & was told that vehicle was out of warranty & nothing they could do, they were 'sorry'. I'm sorry too. Sorry that I purchased a vehicle that was engineered to fail. Sorry that Buick nor the dealership will do the right thing & fix this lemon out of their own pockets (I have other problems I will be reporting on with this vehicle). And sorry that I didn't do the research before I bought this money pit. Just type in 2010 Buick Enclave problems & the lists & reports are virtually endless.Sorry Buick, unless you make this right, you've lost this customer
- Jeff S., Kalida, US
This is BS that GM has known of this problem for years and has not taken responsibility. I bought this Enclave "certified" with 39,000 and have since put on 50,000 miles over 4 years. To have a $3,200 issue, that apparently has been addressed for prior year 3.6L engines, is not acceptable. When discussing with Tier 2 GM customer service they told me they would discuss with the dealer - Why the dealer? You have an engineering problem! I'm seeing this documented all over the various blogs. There has to be enough for a class action suit if GM isn't going to take responsibility. I'm now more concerned since I bought a 2017 Colorado with the 3.6L engine. Is it just a matter of time for a $3,200 stretched timing chain job there too?
- T H., Columbus, US
General Motors was aware of the problem since 2007 and continued to manufacture with the problem in future models and offers no relief to consumers with this exorbitant cost to repair estimated at $3400.
We were delighted with the car when we bought it and spent more than we had intended because it was so superior to any other SUV's we had driven.
We are retired and purchased this car expecting it to last us through our retirement years. We do not have the kind of retirement income to be able to incur this kind of expense so will need to purchase a car from a more reputable manufacturer.
- Donald D., North Reading, MA, US
80,000 miles on vehicle, should not have to replace timing chains.
- Wayne P., Burnsville, US
I have contacted Buick and started a ticket thru the Help Line. Waiting on a call back. I have read a lot about this and it seems that Buick has had an issue with this motor for a couple years. Sorry but at 70k having timing chain issues is not right.
- Michael C., Great Bend, US
WTF!!!!! This is the second time I have had to replace the timing chain and it SUCKS. Are they using rubber chains or what? 88,000 highway miles and the timing chain needs replacement again. I love the vehicle but this is unacceptable.
- Juan K., Altura, MN, US
This boggles the mind, I have never seen a timing chain go out this early on a vehicle with mostly highway miles.
- Juan K., Altura, MN, US
Supposed to be fixed for 2010, but not corrected. Do not buy this vehicle used.
- Mike M., Mogadore`, US
On June 1, 2017 while trying to make a right hand turn, my car stalls while in the middle of the intersection. Thank goodness there were no cars coming. I tried starting my car and it would start, but when I put it in drive it would stall and then not start at all. My granddaughter and I pushed it out of the intersection and then with the help of a policeman pushed further out of the way. Had my car towed to my mechanic. On June 5 he informed it was my timing chain. Called GM on June 5 and was told had to be checked by a certified dealer
Sso I had my car towed to Reedman Toll in Langhorne who sold me the car and repaired the first timing chain issue March 20, 2015 which led to the water pump and then the power steering pump. So now 30,00 miles later and the timing chain goes again only this time there is more damage. Technician removed the Bank 2 camshaft cover and found cylinder 2,4 and 6 on the intake side of camshaft rockers are damaged and the camshaft if scored. Tech also removed valve cover and found the valves are also bent. Reedman is not conceding the timing chain caused these problems but are say the other problems caused the timing chain issue.
Both GM and Reedman claim that the timing chain they installed on March 20 2015 only had a 1 year warranty therefore are unable to do anything for me. Reedman offered a discount where I would be responsible for $2476.00 plus tax but the last repair they did brought about other problem. My car as of today June 24 is still at Reedmans and still unrepaired. Two timing chain issues on a 2010 Buick Enclave and GM doesn't think there is a problem.
- Asha C., Warminster, PA, US
If you buy a 2010 Buick Enclave don't expect Buick to help you. The engine and trans has to come out to repair and Buick engineers
designed it that way. Stretched timing chains have been a problem since 2007 and they know it!!! But will they help...HELL NO!!!
Why? Why won't they make it a recall?? IT SHOULD BE A RECALL!!! AND PAID FOR BY BUICK!
- furiousbuickowner, Jacksonville, US
THROUGH RESEARCH i FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED IN THE 2007-2009 MODELS ENCLAVES BUT HOWEVER DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE OTHERS LIKE MYSELF EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE MANUFACTURER USED THE SAME PARTS IN THE NEXT YEAR'S MODEL. i BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND THE GM NAME AND TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS
- Kenneth W., Irving, TX, US
It spits out a code saying timing chain is the problem and only way to fix it is an engine replacement. After doing some research, I realized that this problem was ongoing since 2007 models and GM refused to fix problem while continuing to make the same timing chain. I'm so very annoyed with the dealership I bought it from used that knew those years & models had problems and never related that to us upon buying it used... but sure as hell had no problems charging us top price for it.
- ronthomas, Linden, US