2009 Buick ENCLAVE: complaints, problems and recalls

IF WE DON'T DRIVE OUR 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE EVERY FEW DAYS, THE BATTERY GOES COMPLETELY DEAD AND WE HAVE TO CHARGE IT TO EVEN GET THE KEY OUT OF IT. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THE BATTERY IS FINE BUT THERE IS A "BULLETIN" (BUT NOT A RECALL) ABOUT A "PARASITIC POWER DRAW" PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES AND THEY WILL LET US KNOW WHEN THEY HAVE A REPAIR AVAILABLE. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE TO MAKE A POINT TO RUN OUR ENCLAVE EVERY FEW DAYS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266671 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN WAS HIT IN THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE 10 SIDE IMPACT CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS TOLD BY GM THAT THE CENTER POST BETWEEN FRONT AND BACK DOOR IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT HAS A SIDE IMPACT SENSOR THERE FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THE BACK BUMPER OFFERS NO PROTECTION FROM A SIDE IMPACT OTHER THAN THE VEHICLE ITSELF. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276341 at NHTSA ↗

COMPLAINT ABOUT HEADREST IN 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE HEADREST TILTS SO FAR FORWARD THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO SIT AGAINST THE BACK PART OF THE SEAT WITHOUT HAVING THE HEADREST PUSH MY NECK FORWARD AND DOWN. ROAD BUMPS CAUSE IT TO SLAM IN AND OUT AGAINST THE HEAD CAUSING NECK AND BACK STRAIN. THE DESIGN OF THIS HEADREST IS FLAWED AND DANGEROUS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278987 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A VIBRATION NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10311748 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ACCELERATING TO SPEEDS OF 45 MPH AND REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE PEDAL YET THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARRANT. SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AT LEAST TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332229 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. KEEPS TURNING ON THE LIGHT ENGINE AND AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT IS BECAUSE I DON'T CLOSE THE GAS KNOB CORRECTLY. WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE IM DRIVING IT GIVES ME A MESSAGE OF POWER ENGINE REDUCE AND IT REDUCE MY SPEED AND I CAN'T CONTINUE DRIVING. I'VE ALMOST CAUSE 2 ACCIDENTS WHILE IM DRIVING DUE TO THIS ISSUE. IT WILL COMPLETELY STOP IN CERTAIN TIMES WHILE IM DRIVING. LAST INCIDENT 06/05/10. AS WELL, MY TIRE GOT FLAT AROUND A MONTH AGO AND I REALIZED THE DEALERSHIP SOLD ME THE VEHICLE W…

Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10335034 at NHTSA ↗

AT 13,759 MILES ON NEW VEHICLE, BRAKES PULSED WHEN APPLIED. FRONT ROTORS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED/PITTED/WARPED, MEASURED AND TRIED TO MACHINE, WOULD BE BELOW MIN. SPECS IF MACHINED. BRAKE PADS WERE WORN EXCESSIVE AT MIN THICKNESS DUE TO THE ROTOR CONCERN. REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. REAR ROTORS WARPED/OUT OF ROUND, MACHINED REAR ROTORS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 13,759 miles reported. Look up ODI 10339653 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. HE TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT AND COULD ONLY STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE PARKING BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY CHANGED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY…

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10346301 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2008-11-24 (November 24, 2008)

GM IS RECALLING 16,667 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.' THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IN THE SECOND OR THIRD ROW THAT IS MISSING A RIVET.

Consequence: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE RIVET IS MISSING, THE BUCKLE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING STRAP, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Reported: 2009-03-06 (March 6, 2009)

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Reported: 2010-06-04 (June 4, 2010)

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Reported: 2010-08-12 (August 12, 2010)

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES. THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELD RESTRICTS THE UPWARD ROTATION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WHEN THE SEAT BACK IS RETURNED TO A SEATING POSITION AFTER BEING FOLDED FLAT. IF THE BUCKLE CONTACTS THE SEAT FRAME, ADDITIONAL EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO RETURN THE SEAT TO A SEATING POSITION. IF SUFFICIENT FORCE IS APPLIED, THE BUCKLE COVER COULD BE PUSHED DOWN THE STRAP, EXPOSING AND PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE RED RELEASE BUTTON.

Consequence: THE SAFETY BELT MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SECOND ROW SEAT SIDE TRIM SHIELDS. IF A SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS DAMAGED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Reported: 2014-03-17 (March 17, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

Reported: 2014-05-20 (May 20, 2014)

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.

Consequence: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.

Reported: 2015-06-30 (June 30, 2015)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

Reported: 2021-10-07 (October 7, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.