2011 Buick Enclave Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2011 Buick Enclave most often describe steering noise and leaks traced to the power steering rack and pump, and a transmission behavior where the vehicle rolls on inclines while in gear. Engine complaints cluster around noises, oil consumption, timing chain and crankshaft/camshaft position faults, often at higher mileage. Airbag warning lights and power liftgate failures that close on their own are also recurring reports.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering whine and rack/pump leak

   • 35 complaints (16%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2022

   Owners describe a whining noise at idle or low speed, especially while turning, and dealers diagnosing a leaking steering rack or failed power steering pump. Some report quotes for rack, pump and labor in the high hundreds to over a thousand dollars, and a few describe the steering becoming very hard to turn or briefly losing power assist. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes first called the noise normal before later confirming the rack was leaking. Commonly reported between roughly 27,000 and 84,000 miles, often within the first few years of ownership.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for whining from the front while turning at low speed, and check the power steering fluid level and the rack and hoses for leaks. Ask whether the rack or pump has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving yesterday and stopped at a stop sign. I started to pull out from the stop sign making a right hand turn and lost all power steering and AC shut down. I was able to get the turn by pulling hard and then it starting working right again. Very upsetting. Took car to bokmans in olean, ny. I am afraid to drive it now.”

   NHTSA complaint #11233006, filed 2019-07, 111,200 miles

   “Went to my dealer for noisy steering and was informed the steering rack was leaking after 34,000 miles. Was told repair would be 1700.00. After reading forums online found out this could cause me to loose my power steering. I believe this should be a recall .”

   NHTSA complaint #10873932, filed 2016-06, 34,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Vehicle rolls on inclines while in gear

   • 24 complaints (11%)
   • median 6,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2021

   Complaints describe the vehicle rolling backward in Drive or forward in Reverse on a slope when the brake is released, requiring the driver to hold the brake and use extra throttle to move off. Some owners note the vehicle lacks a hill-hold feature and that the rolling became more pronounced over time. Dealers, according to the reports, often could not duplicate the condition or told owners it was normal. Reported at very low mileage, some under 5,000 miles and many in the first few years of use, typically on driveways and hills.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test on a slope: stop in Drive and Reverse with the brake released to see how much the vehicle rolls before throttle is applied. Ask whether any transmission work or software updates have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When my Buick has been on incline in the drive or reverse gear, my Buick rolls backwards or forwards depending on the direction of the incline without stopping. It makes it necessary to hold the brake with one foot and accelerate with the other. The problem used to be a small roll back but has recently become to a point where the car doesn't stop rolling. This is extremely dangerous as it does not allow the driver to have control of the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10610683, filed 2014-07, 53,000 miles

   “2011 Buick Enclave rolls unabated on hills while in gear - drive or reverse. Very hard to control. Requires very quick move from brake to accelerator and 2-foot driving which is dangerous and wears brakes and transmission. There is no hill hold feature and drivetrain provides no resistance.”

   NHTSA complaint #10439351, filed 2011-12, 5,400 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine noise, oil consumption and timing chain issues

   • 25 complaints (12%)
   • median 96,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2026

   Owners report rattling, whining or abnormal engine noise, check engine lights, and diagnoses of timing chain, crankshaft or camshaft position problems. Some describe significant oil or coolant loss and overheating, and a few report sudden loss of engine power or a seized engine requiring replacement. Dealers and independent shops variously recommended timing chain, crankshaft or full engine replacement, and some owners noted parts back-ordered. Mostly reported between about 75,000 and 128,000 miles, though some noise complaints came in earlier.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil and coolant levels and look for leaks or a low-oil smell, listen for rattling on cold start, and ask for service records on timing chain, oil consumption or engine work. A pre-purchase inspection with a scan for stored codes is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the highway around 65 MPH and all of sudden l loss all engine power. I could barely steer the SUV over to the side of the road. Almost got hit from behind by another driver. Had the car towed to the repair shop and they said the motor seized up.”

   NHTSA complaint #11311035, filed 2020-02, 105,256 miles

   “My regularly serviced 2011 Buick Enclave with approximately 75,000 miles on it began overheating last summer to the point when turning off the engine the radiator fan kept running. My servicing business was continually adding the recommended radiator coolant in amounts that totaled 3.7 gal. Between mid june, '18 to sept '19. I was told by the dealer the radiator holds 14.2 qts of coolant which is 3.5 gal. So it lost over its total capacity. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11268189, filed 2019-10, 74,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light comes on

   • 36 complaints (17%)
   • median 55,500 mi at 3.8 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2023

   Owners describe a 'Service Airbag' message or airbag warning light appearing intermittently or after start-up, with some mechanics pointing to the airbag coil or module. Several owners note the vehicle had prior airbag recall work and the light returned, and dealers quoted diagnostic fees to look at it. A few complaints describe airbags not deploying in a collision. Reported across a wide mileage range, from very low mileage up to around 150,000 miles.

   Recall 21V782000Recall 21V246000Recall 14V118000

   What to check: Turn the key to start and confirm the airbag light goes out after the bulb check; an intermittent light is worth scanning for stored codes. Ask whether the airbag recalls were completed and keep the paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have approximately 84,000 miles on my vehicle and my service airbag light has been coming on intermittently. I see several others also filed complaints about this same thing happening to their vehicles. Why is this not included in the airbag recalls with so many people filing a complaint on this?”

   NHTSA complaint #11122944, filed 2018-08, 84,000 miles

   “Turned corner on ironwood46615 and rear ended car that stopped suddenly. Crushed my front end back to puncturing the radiator. No air bag deployed and no seat belt on impact. My knees hit the dash under the steering wheel. No onstar as no airbag deployed. Holding steering wheel was my only deterrent to hitting forward. Repairs cost $5000.+ and GM dealer insisted airbag and seat belt were functioning. Knees still hurt. And seen doctor about knees and going again soon. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10573780, filed 2014-03, 3,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Power liftgate closes on its own

   • 17 complaints (8%)
   • median 57,303 mi at 5.0 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2021

   Owners report the power liftgate failing to stay open and closing forcefully on its own, sometimes striking the person underneath, and in other cases not opening or closing automatically at all. Some note the liftgate recall had been announced but parts were unavailable, leaving the condition unresolved. Complaints also describe the gate slamming shut while loading the vehicle. Reported from about 50,000 to 140,000 miles, in everyday loading and parking situations.

   Recall 15V415000

   What to check: Open the liftgate fully and check that the struts and power mechanism hold it open without drifting down. Ask whether the liftgate recall was performed and whether the struts have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I will open the automatic lift gate on the back of the vehicle and it will automatically come down. This has happened on more than one occasion and has fallen on me.”

   NHTSA complaint #11065935, filed 2018-01, 140,000 miles

   “The power liftgate does not stay open (the vehicle was statrionary, turned off, and properly parked). Instead it catches and then forcefully closes on whoever/whatever may be right below it. Upon trying to stop the liftgate from closing it will not remain in the open position and continues to forcefully close. This happens every time the liftgate is opened. This is part of a recall (GM safety recall 15240). Documentation received as part of the recall indicates parts are not available to fix this issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10782073, filed 2015-10, 50,000 miles

Buying note. A 2011 Enclave with a documented steering rack and pump history, fresh fluids and a clean airbag-light check is the safer starting point; budget for engine and transmission inspection at higher mileage, since those complaints tend to appear past 75,000 miles. Confirm which open recalls, especially the airbag and liftgate campaigns, have actually been completed.

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.