2020 Buick Enclave Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a broken front exhaust pipe mounting bracket that separates and leaves a hole in the pipe, along with transmission problems such as harsh shifting, loss of acceleration or an inability to shift into park. Complaints arrive across a wide mileage range, from vehicles with a few hundred miles to ones past 100,000, and many owners note that similar exhaust and transmission conditions were covered on neighboring model years but not on this one.

1. 1
   Engine

   Front exhaust pipe bracket breaks, pipe cracks

   • 15 complaints (25%)
   • median 52,580 mi at 6.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2026

   Owners describe a bracket welded to the front exhaust pipe separating from the pipe, which in many cases leaves a crack or hole in the exhaust. Symptoms reported include a loud rattle or exhaust roar on start-up, an exhaust smell inside the cabin, and in some cases a catalyst efficiency code. Several owners say a dealer confirmed the broken bracket and recommended replacing the front exhaust pipe or converter assembly, and some note that a special coverage adjustment exists for the same condition on other model years but not on this one. Reported from roughly 30,000 to over 83,000 miles, generally developing without warning.

   What to check: Listen for an exhaust rattle or loud tone on a cold start and look under the vehicle at the bracket and flex section of the front pipe for separation, cracks or soot marks. Ask whether the front exhaust pipe has been replaced and whether any special coverage was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The mounting bracket welded to the front exhaust pipe (near the flex section) broke off due to weak factory welds. As a result tearing a hole in my exhaust pipe and potentially leading to exhaust fumes leaking into the cabin of the vehicle. In my opinion this defect should be addressed as a safety issue if not repaired.”

   NHTSA complaint #11754749, filed 2026-08

   “My car starting making a loud noise upon start up and continued while driving, sounded like a GoCart exhaust system and was not normal. It just sounded loud and would get louder when accelerated until the car ran for awhile. I first noticed it at about 83,500 miles. I took to the dealer for checkup at 83,950 miles when I could get an appointment. The dealer (Elco Chevrolet) confirmed the problem upon hearing and looking under the car, there is a bracket broken on the exhaust system and the catalytic converter has a hole/crack in the molding. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11755725, filed 2026-08
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission harsh shifting, loss of power, or stuck in park

   • 14 complaints (23%)
   • median 4,550 mi at 1.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe hard jerking or clunking during gear changes, often soon after a new purchase, and in other cases the vehicle failing to accelerate with no warning light, which owners say was diagnosed as transmission failure requiring replacement. Several owners report the vehicle refusing to shift into park or locking in park, sometimes with the electronic parking brake applied, and describe a valve body or park solenoid as the cause per the dealer. Repairs described include computer resets, valve body service and full transmission replacement. Appears both at very low mileage (under about 3,000 miles) and again past roughly 45,000 to 58,000 miles.

   Recall 20V668000

   What to check: During a test drive, note any hesitation, shudder or hard shift when accelerating from a stop and confirm the shifter engages park firmly. Ask whether the transmission has been replaced or serviced and whether any stored codes were read.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a 2020 Buick Enclave, (owned by gmc) with 6 miles on it, 1 week ago. Yesterday the check engine light came on and the car started jerking anytime the transmission switched gears. I called to try to get it in to a certified Buick dealership to be looked at and nowhere can get it in for 3-5 days and none of the dealerships will give a loaner car until the time of the vehicle appointment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11330057, filed 2020-06, 600 miles

   “Vehicle would not go into park fortunately we were in a safe location to avoid a possible accident or injury. The vehicle has electronic transmission shifting. According to the dealership the park solenoid in the transmission valve body failed. This prevented us from putting the vehicle in park so it could safely be shut off. We were able to set electronic parking brake but ignition continued to remain on. Eventually had to disconnect the negative battery terminal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11610097, filed 2024-08
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical glitches: warning lights, battery messages

   • 12 complaints (20%)
   • median 28,500 mi at 3.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe intermittent electrical behaviour such as hazard lights and horn activating on their own, tire pressure warnings that do not match actual pressures, and a low-voltage charging message after start-up. Several complaints report the rear camera or infotainment screen going black in reverse with a warning symbol, and one describes the instrument cluster and OnStar functions dropping out intermittently. Dealers are described as sometimes unable to duplicate the faults. Reported mostly between roughly 28,000 and 38,000 miles, with camera symptoms at varied mileage.

   What to check: Test the backup camera, tire pressure display and all warning lights, and check for a charging system message after starting. Ask whether any electrical repairs or software updates have been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When starting our 2020 Buick Enclave I noticed the low voltage battery light stayed illuminated after startup. A message followed on the message center located in the center of the gauge cluster. The message read Service Electrical Charging System. Followed by a message stating Low Voltage Vehicle Ma Stall. This particular vehicle only has 38,000 miles on it and I have not experienced any issues with the electrical charging system prior to this incident. There have been no indication as to the battery or alternator failing (ex. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11558170, filed 2023-12

   “Back up Camera has stopped working. When placing car into reverse we get a black screen with a warning signal and picture of camera with line through. this creates a safety issue when backing up with out camera guidance.”

   NHTSA complaint #11730315, filed 2026-04

Buying note. Check the front exhaust pipe bracket and listen for exhaust noise, and drive the vehicle through several stop-and-go cycles to feel for transmission harshness or hesitation. Ask for service records on oil consumption, transmission work and any recall campaigns completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 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.