8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,230
Average Mileage:
119,550 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace timing chain (6 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
  3. replace engine (1 reports)
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problem #10

Oct 182021

Enclave CXL 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,602 miles

Problem #1. I am a GOD fearing, 40 year old retired United States Marine, with a wife and 4 kids. I have been a die hard GM man ever since I was born. In 2014 we were getting ready to introduce another little man into our family. So like most growing families we found ourselves in need of a better suited vehicle. After many nights of searching we found our black beauty, I should call it our "Pandora's Box". A 2011 black Buick Enclave CXL. It had 89,000 miles on it and one owner. Sounded too good to be true. This vehicle was located at a large Buick dealership in my area. This was not sitting in someone's yard for sale on the side of the road. From the time we have had with this vehicle it has become the WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED.

We were on our way to a softball game when it started running weird, right as we were pulling into the parking lot. We pulled into a parking spot and shut it off while the kids played their ballgame. When we had to leave we all got into the car and... nothing, the car would not start. Crank, Crank, Crank but no start. We had to have it towed to a Buick mechanic and he said I needed to have the timing system fixed. It was a COMMON problem with these style of GM motors the mechanic said. So while I am waiting for the problem to be resolved I started to do some research to either validate or debunk what the mechanic told me was common. My search was vary alarming, to say the least. What I found is that this was a huge problem with GM and their consumers and that GM was doing practically nothing to help them. There was only a fraction of the faulted consumer base that was actually helped with this overwhelming issue. They tried to band-aid a severed limb. Good Job GM.

Then yet further in my search I found that shortly after the timing is fixed, then the lower rod bearings go next. resulting in an entire motor replacement. That's in my next complaint. As for the timing. Like stated before, I have owned multiple GM vehicles over the years and other than this Buick, only one other vehicle ever had to have the timing fixed, and that vehicle had over 240,000 miles on it. I guess GM stopped making DEPENDABLE vehicles for their consumers. Why should they care about us, we're just the sheep that pays their bills, RIGHT? So here a family has to suffer for buying one of GM's "polished turds". I just wish that GM would own up and stand behind their product and be proud of the things they make for consumer instead of making a vehicle that hurts them more then helps. GM, you have let America down.

- Deon T., Onsted, MI, US

problem #9

Dec 312019

Enclave LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,606 miles

I bought this car because of the low miles and condition. It was like new. At the end of January, my check engine came on and took it to get Inspected and was told it threw a code (poo17) and that they can hear the chain starting to make noise. I'm so disgusted because the manufacture extended the warranty for 2009 with same motor and they don't cover the 2011.

This isn't fair. I use nothing but mobil 1 synthetic oil, top grade filters and never go over 3200 miles between oil changes. I'm retired, on disability, and can't afford the cost of this repair. I'm just sick over this. It's very stressful because now my vehicle is in need of inspection and I'll get a ticket that will only add to my troubles.

- Lawrence R., Smithtown, US

problem #8

Nov 202018

Enclave CXL 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,800 miles

Timing chain ... failed.

Air conditioner ... failed.

We pay 40 thousand for this it is not fair we pay that money to get a good car without problems and we get this ..i get the carfax and found that truck was in the shop for the some problem they change already the timing chain and oil pump in 2013 how they sell this car ...maybe because we are poor people

- Laura A., Mount Prospect, US

problem #7

Mar 012019

Enclave CXL 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

I love the Enclave but this engine was engineered poorly as this is a well-known issue. Unfortunately, 15 months after having the timing chains replaced, the engine blew at 150k miles. Don't go over 3000 miles on your oil changes and don't follow the engine oil life indicator.

- Mike F., Sussex, WI, US

problem #6

Nov 142019

Enclave CXL 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles

The timing chains on a 2011 Buick Enclave can't even guarantee you 60,000 miles without breaking and then you have to pay thousands of dollars to fix it after paying thousands of dollars to own the vehicle. As soon as the timing chain stretches and the engine starts knocking and malfunctioning the metal piston rings send little shavings into your motor and end up in the oil pan.. What's the point aside from being dangerous and overwhelmingly expensive.

- Jessica J., Fargo, ND, US

problem #5

Jul 072019

Enclave LX 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,306 miles

My 2011 Buick Enclave with 102306 miles started knocking really bad, then died while at highway speed. I towed it home. After scanning the vehicle and reading the codes, I did some research and found a few TSBs about what was going on. My dealership stated that they couldn't find any TSBs covering what went wrong. They stated that i needed to replace both camshafts, the timing chain, and 2 valves and that it would cost roughly $2800. This quote didn't cover what other problems that they might find once they got into my engine. I'm about to head back up to the dealership with my list of TSBs to give to their incompetent service manager. Under no circumstances should you have catastrophic engine failure at 102,000 miles!!!

- Anthony F., Burleson, US

problem #4

Jun 032019

Enclave LX 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,250 miles

I purchased this vehicle used on 04/08/2019. It had 87697 miles. I had the oil changed at 89000 miles and again at 93000. On the day it quit, I was driving along with no issues when suddenly the car made an awful screeching sound then lost power and cut off. I had it towed to my mechanic. Initial diagnosis was that it had jumped timing. The timing, (entire timing system including pulleys, chains, and tensioners), was replaced.

When it jumped timing it bent valves which made grooves in the head. Now the entire engine has to be replaced. The estimated cost of repairs is $4000 using a rebuilt engine. So, repairs have been put on hold pending acquiring the funds to pay for it. I have since learned that there was a known problem with this engine that Buick has kept silent.

Now I have a very expensive yard ornament on which I have a $390 a month payment. Buick really should step up and fix these problems. This was my first and last Buick purchase.

- Karen M., LaGrange, US

problem #3

Apr 182018

Enclave CXL 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,000 miles

Had in shop to replace timing. Lasted a month. Now car shuts down and won't even attempt to start. Shop says not their fault. Put key in and it will get stuck. Turn it and the engine light appears, then turn to start. Drains battery.

- William J., Sidney, US

problem #2

Mar 012019

Enclave CXL 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175,000 miles

I can't believe that a timing chain goes bad at 175k miles. And I read that Buick Enclave has this known problem and Buick doesn't want to cover that.

- Louis N., Waynesboro, US

problem #1

May 022018

Enclave CXL2 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,500 miles

Ridiculous to have an engine malfunction of this magnitude at 119,000 miles. I bought this Enclave because of the comfort, but it has been such a maintenance nightmare that I will have to go back to foreign manufacturers. That is after I finish paying off this stupid repair. Even my BMW's have given me over 300k on an engine. 2 toyota vans 204,000 and 149,000 no issues and no AC problems. The whole dash had to be torn apart at less than 100,000 on the Enclave to the tune of over $1200. So now they tell me that my timing chain jumped a tooth from stretch. Suggestions, repair if possible, replace motor with remaining warranty. Never again, GM stands for Gigantic Malfunction.

- Tim C., Johnstown, OH, US