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Buick EnclaveModel year report

2008 Buick Enclave Problems

Compared with other Buick Enclave years

More complaints than typical for this model

100/100 3.5× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
536filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,850miles, 450 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Buick Enclave (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission problems — harsh or delayed shifting, loss of power, and reverse gear failing — plus a recurring power-steering loss that makes the wheel hard to turn at low speed. A large share of complaints also concern the air bag warning light and passenger seat sensor, and water leaks from the sunroof and roof area that owners link to electrical trouble. Many reports arrive between roughly 75,000 and 130,000 miles.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission shifting problems and failure

    • 127 complaints (24%)
    • median 80,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (117 state mileage)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $3,694 (median of 24 quotes)
    • filed 2008–2023

    Complaints describe harsh or delayed shifting, the transmission refusing to come out of a gear, a jolt or lurch during acceleration, and on some vehicles reverse gear stopping working. Owners report losing power or the vehicle slowing suddenly while driving, with the check engine light coming on. Several say a dealer or independent shop told them the transmission needed replacement, and some describe diagnostics that were reset without a lasting fix. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 130,000 miles, with several reports in the 70,000-90,000 mile range.

    7 related service bulletins

    What to check: On a test drive, note any hesitation, clunk or flare between gears and confirm reverse engages firmly. Ask for transmission service records and whether the fluid has been changed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall my Buick Enclave is having problem after problem with this transmission had it serviced twice module replaced at the dealership it still drags speedometer get stuck and now reverse issues I don't no what to do im mentally and financial drain with this vehicle.”

    NHTSA complaint #10933642, filed 2016-12, 103,000 miles

    “My service stabilty track keeps coming in and off and it's like the car just wants to stop as I'm driving on a major highway. Also, my check engine light is now on and staying on and seems to be with the transmission. The car will not go over 20/25 MPH and the rpms are going up really high with out the car really accelerateing. It's even worse knowing my children where in the car and it to happen out of no where. I have been in motion with both issues from fine one minute and not the next. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11127974, filed 2018-09, 114,000 miles
  2. Steering

    Power steering loss or hard steering

    • 96 complaints (18%)
    • median 78,020 mi at 6.1 yrs old (84 state mileage)
    • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $2,400 (median of 12 quotes)
    • filed 2009–2024

    Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy, most often at low speed, while turning, or after stopping at an intersection, and some say it returns after revving the engine. Complaints mention whining or groaning noises, a clicking sound when turning, and low power steering fluid. Shops reportedly found leaks and recommended replacing the rack and pinion or the power steering pump. Reported from about 20,000 miles upward, most often past 60,000 miles and frequently over 100,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for leaks around the pump and rack, and turn the wheel lock-to-lock while parked to listen for whining or clicking.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Complete engine power reduction automatically casing car instantly to drop from 65 MPH down to 25 MPH in the middle of a 4 lane highway. Lost all power steering ability and not able to turn car and almost drove into trees before it came to a stop. I had to have aaa come and tow my car to walser Buick gmc in bloomington, mn”

    NHTSA complaint #11052760, filed 2017-12, 104,000 miles

    “The power steering fails on turns with no warning. From what I read this is common on Buick enclaves. I was almost in an accident from the power steering failure. Once I was on a 55 MPH highway changing lanes when it failed, the rest are usually when turning. My mechanic said the power steering pump needs replacement.”

    NHTSA complaint #11323758, filed 2020-05, 121,000 miles
  3. Air bags

    Air bag warning light and passenger seat sensor

    • 111 complaints (21%)
    • median 85,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (83 state mileage)
    • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 17 quotes)
    • filed 2007–2024

    The most common report is a "service air bag" or air bag warning light that comes on and stays on, often tied to the front passenger seat occupant sensor. Owners describe the passenger air bag indicator switching to off even with an adult seated, and some report that replacing the seat belt or sensor did not resolve it. A few complaints mention corroded or damaged wiring under the seats, and dealers reportedly quoted seat cushion or sensor replacement. Reported at a wide range of mileage, from a few thousand miles up to about 170,000, with many reports past 60,000 miles.

    Recall 14V118000Recall 21V782000

    What to check: Confirm the air bag light goes out after the bulb check and that the passenger indicator reads correctly with an adult in the seat; ask whether the side air bag wiring recall work was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The service air bag light is on in my 2008 Buick Enclave. I had noticed that at first, it would go on and off if I was sitting in the seat and someone else was driving. I assumed it was because it thought I was a child sitting in the front seat, as I am a 30 year old female who barely weighs 100 lbs. The light is now constantly on.”

    NHTSA complaint #11362175, filed 2020-10, 98,000 miles

    “The front passenger airbag system on my '08 Buick Enclave cxl does not activate 100% of the time when the seat is occupied. I have taken it to the dealership where I purchased the car twice and was told there was nothing wrong. They told me that they had at least three other enclaves in the shop at the same time as mine with the same complaint and that nationwide, other enclaves owners were making the same complaint. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10230572, filed 2008-06, 5,501 miles
  4. Body and structure

    Water leaks from sunroof and roof area

    • 81 complaints (15%)
    • median 84,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (64 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 6 quotes)
    • filed 2008–2025

    Complaints describe water entering the cabin around the sunroof, headliner, visor mounts and cargo area, sometimes leaving carpets and upholstery soaked and causing mold. Owners say dealers cleared clogged sunroof drain hoses, but in several cases the leak returned. Some link the moisture to electrical faults, including wipers, interior lights and air bag system corrosion. Reported from very low mileage up to about 160,000 miles, in some cases after rain and often recurring after repair attempts.

    Recall 10V240000

    What to check: Look for water stains on the headliner, damp carpets and musty smells, and ask whether the sunroof drains have been serviced; check that wipers and interior electronics work.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Steering unit emits growling noise when turning the wheels. There is feedback thru the steering wheel. I have had the power steering fluid changed at 10,000 mile intervals and that seems to help, but the service station that changes my oil tells me that the unit needs to be replaced! He has seen the same issue on the gmc acadia and saturn SUV as well. Also, we continue to have wet carpet on the passenger side due to the sun roof leaking.”

    NHTSA complaint #10520353, filed 2013-06, 20,000 miles

    “My 2008 Buick Enclave consistently has water leaks after it rains. There is a lot of condensation build up in the vehicle and water in the cargo area. The vehicle has been brought to the dealership 3 times for this issue, but it has yet to be repaired after 3 unsuccessful attempts (even though the dealership says the problem has been fixed).”

    NHTSA complaint #10266373, filed 2009-04, 5,000 miles
  5. Body and structure

    Power liftgate closing on people or opening by itself

    • 39 complaints (7%)
    • median 100,000 mi at 8.1 yrs old (33 state mileage)
    • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2008–2025

    Owners report the power liftgate failing to reverse when it meets an obstruction near the top of its travel, and in some cases closing on a person's back or shoulder. Others describe the gate opening or closing on its own, including while the vehicle is parked, and a few say it would not stay open while loading. Complaints note that some vehicles were not covered by the liftgate recall. Reported from very low mileage (a few hundred miles) up to about 130,000 miles, often without warning.

    Recall 15V415000

    What to check: Test the liftgate's obstruction reversal with a light object, check that it holds open, and ask whether the liftgate recall repair was performed for this vehicle.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I bought this vehicle july of 2017 probably about 6 months driving my radio makes a loud static noise and then no sound not even blinker sounds. I get in it later that day crank it it's fine. Then begin to have intermittent cranking issues crank it nothing everything on the dash blacks out nothing nothing happens turn the key back turn it back over it cranks that still seems to be a problem it still does that. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11132007, filed 2018-09, 173,000 miles

    “Safety problem with the power liftgate on 2008 Buick Enclave. When closing, it does not reverse at my shoulder height. A few days ago, it pushed me down to about to halfway point before it stopped (ouch!!!) later tried this a few times... In the first 6-12 of closing, the gate does not reverse, even with very firm hand pressure. Further tests showed that it fails to reverse at even more that the 12 mark (I didn't measure). At about midway to closed, it reverses with just a light touch. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10241675, filed 2008-09, 200 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission, power steering system and liftgate is worth the cost on this model year, and it is worth confirming which open recalls have already been addressed. Records of transmission and power steering service, plus a dry interior after rain, tell you a lot about how the vehicle has been kept.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 536 consumer complaints for the 2008 Buick Enclave. 450 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,850 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 10 a fire, 41 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 1,117 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 13 Buick Enclave model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 100 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Brakes (16), Engine cooling (14), Suspension (11), Fuel system (10), Seats (9), Equipment (6), Seat belts (6), Exterior lighting (5), Wheels (4), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “The transmission is in limp mode and is not responding. I call the manufacture low jack security system and they said I need to buy the insurance before they can unlock the vehicle. I think they playing with the computer of my vehicle. My car was running okay. No I can't use this car anymore!”

NHTSA complaint #11210085, filed 2019-05, 150,211 miles

Air bags: “While driving I noticed the passenger airbag light would come on and off. Now it stays on all the time. I took it in and found out that the passenger presence module needs to be replace at a cost to me of $900.00. I see that this is an ongoing problem many people have with this car. How is this not a recall?”

NHTSA complaint #10851123, filed 2016-03, 88,000 miles

Steering: “Power steering pump failure. At low speeds wheel becomes almost impossible to turn. This has caused several near accidents. Dealer quoted almost $1600 to replace. Online research shows this is a common problem for this vehicle. I have already had the steering worked on once before after having difficulty turning the wheel. As it is over 3 years since then, I am told the cost is due from me in full.”

NHTSA complaint #11123843, filed 2018-08, 175,000 miles

Body and structure: “The liftgate is broken. The hydraulics supporting it will not keep it in an open position and it falls if not held up manually. It also electronically misfires and will shut with the liftgate motor and cannot be stopped. It has closed on both me and my child. It is extremely dangerous and I am frustrated that it has been recalled with no repair date forthcoming.”

NHTSA complaint #10783354, filed 2015-10, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

21% of the 450 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 57,000 and 114,000 miles.

8%0–105%10–258%25–5023%50–7522%75–10025%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (450 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,850 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’07’10’13106’16’19’22’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Buick Enclave. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Enclave · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 15.5% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Buick Enclave version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Enclave AWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162218$3,700
Enclave FWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162419$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Buick Enclave → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,117 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,117 bulletins →

Other model years of the Buick Enclave

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025388,6500—23Too new to compareToo new
2024744,00004–521—Too new
20232213,50004–521—Too new
20221429,00014–521—Not enough data
20212662,18825210 · FewerFalling
2020615,550652156 · TypicalRising
20194415,50015219 · FewerRising
20186624,400052113 · FewerStable
201717938,953351835 · FewerRising
201614145,000451839 · TypicalRising
201517164,046551944 · TypicalRising
201429260,592751975 · MoreRising
20137053,500451922 · FewerFalling
201213278,000651958 · TypicalFalling
201121355,606651993 · MoreFalling
201027572,5006—1983 · MoreFalling
200922073,6488—1976 · MoreFalling
200853680,8506—19100 · MoreFalling

All Buick Enclave model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Buick Enclave?

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission problems — harsh or delayed shifting, loss of power, and reverse gear failing — plus a recurring power-steering loss that makes the wheel hard to turn at low speed. The issues reported most often: Transmission shifting problems and failure; Power steering loss or hard steering; Air bag warning light and passenger seat sensor.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Buick Enclave have?

NHTSA recorded 536 consumer complaints for the 2008 Buick Enclave as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Buick Enclave is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 139 complaints (26% of the total), followed by air bags with 113.

Has the 2008 Buick Enclave been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Buick Enclave get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Buick Enclave (Enclave FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Buick Enclave reported?

Among the 450 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,850 miles and the middle half falls between 57,000 and 114,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.