2021 Buick ENCLAVE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
62,188 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 25 complaints (24.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 28.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
Electrical System: 6; Service Brakes: 6; Unknown Or Other: 4; Seat Belts: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 6 |
2021: 9; 2022: 2; 2024: 3; 2025: 5; 2026: 6
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11398571 · 2021-03-01 (March 1, 2021)
I JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2021 BUICK ENCLAVE AND THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD OR THE WINDOW. SOUNDS LIKE MY WINDOW IS CRACKED. HOWEVER, WHEN I TRY TO LET UP THE WINDOW, THE WINDOW DOESN'T MOVE AND SOUND IS STILL THERE. THE NOISE IS THERE FROM ABOUT 45 MPG AND UP.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11398571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415287 · 2021-05-05 (May 5, 2021)
WHEN I DRIVE MY BUICK ENCLAVE AFTER IT SITS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, IF I APPLY THE BRAKES, I HAVE A LOUD GRINDING TYPE SOUND AND I NOTICE THE NOISE CONTINUES AS I DO MY SHOPPING AND IT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO AWAY. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO THE BUICK DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT GENERAL MOTORS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY (GM) WERE TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE NOISE. ALSO, I WAS TOLD THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AS IT WOULD POSE NO SAFETY ISSUES. I FIND IT UNNERVING TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH NOISY BRAKES AND I INQUIRED WHEN GM F…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11415287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419275 · 2021-06-01 (June 1, 2021)
I have a 2021 Buick Enclave Premium purchased 01.03.2021from Alden Buick-GMC been having problems with my brakes when I apply my brakes I have a brake noise grinding growling noise coming from the brakes. Took vehicle to dealership today 06.01.2021. Was told cause is Composition of brake material, dealers informed by GM not to replace any parts or attempt any repairs at this time. Was informed vehicle is safe to drive and GM engineering is working on a solution to this concern. I am concerned should the brakes not work properly when applied cau…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419828 · 2021-06-06 (June 6, 2021)
when applying the brakes it sounds lile metal on metal
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421887 · 2021-06-22 (June 22, 2021)
This vehicle has an auto stop start feature that the dealer refuses to override. The problem is that if you are stopped to make a left turn, the engine stops. When you need to go when there is a break in traffic, there is a hesitation to get going just when you need instant power. Also at stop lights or signs you tend to keep tapping the brake to keep it running resulting in a dangerous situation. Also if you are stopped and forget and get out of the car, it can start up and run into something. I just want the ability to disable this dangero…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423968 · 2021-07-08 (July 8, 2021)
Brakes started grinding at 300 miles. I have filed a complaint with dealership who did record it and advised that it was a known issue that GM is working to resolve. I now have approximately 2000 miles on the car and it continues to sound and feel like my brakes are grinding every time I apply the brakes. Occasionally, when I apply the brakes and they are making the grinding feeling - it feels as if the vehicle is not wanting to slow down and I need to apply more pressure to my brakes. This definitely would be a safety issue to the drive…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426025 · 2021-07-22 (July 22, 2021)
No accident. I bought this brand new car on May 29, 2021, and have been experiencing brake issues. When I apply the brakes, there is a weird noise, grinding type and it feels like there is less traction (like when slowing down on snow). I have to apply more pressure to my brakes to slow the vehicle and come to a stop. The problem occurs quite often.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430512 · 2021-08-25 (August 25, 2021)
Brakes started grinding at 1000 miles. I will filed a complaint with the dealership and hope they record it. Now I have approximately 2100 miles on the car and it continues to sound and feel like my brake pad and rotor on the right front are grinding every time I apply the brakes. On July 23 2021 an own coming 18 wheeler did not see me and made a left turn in front of me at the traffic light . I step on the brakes lightly to stop but the car made the metal to metal sound and kept moving forward. So I had to jam on the brakes to stop. All wheels…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430512 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V472000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Frontal Impact
Reported: 2021-06-24 (June 24, 2021)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V210000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain
Reported: 2022-03-31 (March 31, 2022)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Consequence: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 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 N212352140.
NHTSA campaign record ↗