What 64 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Buick Enclave

2018 Enclave w/106k on the odometer and the catalytic convertor cracked. $2200 repair.

NHTSA ODI 11744702

I am submitting this letter to formally report two ongoing issues with my 2018 Buick Enclave. First, I have experienced persistent problems with the emissions purge valve. My vehicle has repeatedly triggered diagnostic trouble code P0496, indicating a malfunction in the purge valve system. I am aware that this issue has been the subject of recall campaigns for other Buick Enclave models; however, my vehicle has not been included in any such recall, despite exhibiting the same symptoms. This malfunction has resulted in persistent check engine warnings and noticeable performance concerns, raising questions about emissions compliance and the overall reliability of my vehicle. Given that other vehicles of the same make and model year have been recalled for the same issue, I respectfully request that my vehicle be reviewed for inclusion in the recall. Second, I am formally reporting a malfunction involving the stabilizers. Recently, I have noticed unusual noises and instability when driving, particularly when turning or traveling over uneven surfaces, which indicates a potential stabilizer malfunction. These issues have persisted despite regular maintenance and inspections, affecting the handling and safety of the vehicle. I believe this may represent a manufacturing or design defect that could pose a risk to other owners of the same make and model. I respectfully request that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate this matter further. I kindly ask the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to consider expanding the existing recall to encompass additional vehicles affected by this defect. Please advise if you require further information or documentation regarding my case. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11742783

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the alternator was replaced 4 times before the dealer diagnosed that the failure was due to oil leaking onto the alternator and the battery. The contact stated that the alternator had been replaced 6 times in total. Additionally, the contact stated while pulling out of the parking lot and onto the road, the vehicle shut off. The messages "Electronic Control Module Failure", "Battery Saver Active", "Battery Charging System" and "Steering Assist Is Reduced- Drive with Care" were displayed. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with the Electronic Control Module (ECM) and alternator failures. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11740184

After two transmission flushes and being told by a Buick dealership's service technicians that nothing is wrong with the vechile's transmission, it has now failed completely at ~90k miles.

NHTSA ODI 11737422

Catalic converter weld broke both sides now

NHTSA ODI 11737064

Exhaust leak from broken front exhaust pipe. This has been a known defect in this make/model however the year of my vehicle was not included in the extended repair window and should have been. The exhaust leak was identified by the dealership when the vehicle was taken in for other maintenance. I had to pay for the repair myself and would like to be reimbursed due to this being a manufacturer known defect with the exhaust pipe. The exhaust leak caused unusual noises, a loud roaring, and reduced gas mileage. This was also a danger for carbon monoxide exposure.

NHTSA ODI 11735792

The air conditioning system failure prevents proper windshield defogging, significantly reducing visibility in humid or rainy conditions. Additionally, cabin temperatures become excessively high, causing driver fatigue and impaired concentration. This creates an unsafe driving condition and increases the risk of a crash

NHTSA ODI 11734443

In December 2017 we were involved in a rear end collision so violent the spare tire was knocked out from under the vehicle. Our vehicle, 2014 Buick Enclave VIN [XXX] was struck in the rear. The lap belt held us secure, but the shoulder belt allowed us to be tossed forward. My head hit the left windshield/top post leaving me looking like a racoon the next day. General Motors representatives, [XXX] CEO at the time ,stated the seat belts functioned properly. I injured my left wrist as a result of being thrown forward and have pain in it ever since then. We now drive a 2018 Buick Enclave VIN [XXX] that we purchased as a result of the December 2017 accident. We have noticed the same problem with the shoulder belts not working in sync with the lap belt, especially during a panic braking. Could this be product failure or just coincidence? I BELEIVE THIS WARRANTS EVALUATION! Thank you. My email address is [XXX] , mailing address is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11729195

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, with a grinding sound coming from the transmission. A bystander pushed the vehicle to the side road, and the vehicle was later towed to the residence. The contact’s husband inspected the vehicle and determined that it had experienced transmission failure. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11726444

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while stopped at a gas station; after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle was restarted but was unable to shift to drive(D). The contact attempted to shift to reverse(R) and the shift lever failed to respond. The contact stated an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI 11706736

My vehicle has begun all us sudden flickering headlights from low beams to high beam when driving and also it ay the airbag safety light turn on with the locks also doing a closing and opening while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11706354

The headlights continously and irregularly flicker between high and low beam while driving at night. I have no control over it and cannot turn off the high beams when they activate. This is highly annoying to drivers ahead me, as they believe I am trying to get their attention (or be obnoxious). In these times and the legalization of open carry weapons in the state of Florida, this can be highly dangerous if the wrong person is aggravated by unintentional signaling. I have already had issues on the road with drivers not happy with the high beam flicking on and off at them while driving on the road. They have become very aggressive, following, slowing down, honking at me because they think I am being impatient or trying to tell them someting is wrong. I spent $2000 in January 2025 trying to get this fixed and it has started (December 2025) happening again.

NHTSA ODI 11704524

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that after picking up the vehicle from the dealer for a different failure, the exhaust pipe made an abnormally loud sound while driving. The check engine and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who determined that the catalytic converter had failed and informed the contact that the catalytic converter and the front exhaust pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment: N212356540 (Front Exhaust Pipe); however, the VIN was not covered. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11700353

Several times I have been stopped at a red light, and my parking break will come on without me engaging it. I was almost hit by other vehicles the last time my vehicle did this. People were blasting their horns and speeding around me because I was unable to move my vehicle. Because I had not manually engaged my parking break, my vehicle would not allow me to disengage the parking break until after it finally read that I engaged it. It took me 10 minutes of having to turn my car off and back on and trying to engage the parking break manually before the vehicle finally noticed it was engaged and would allow me to disengage my vehicle so that I could move it out of the way. This has now happened 3 separate times in the last month. It is an extremely dangerous situation and is making me become nervous to drive my own vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11695400

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while making a left turn, another vehicle jumped onto a curb and struck the rear end and rear tire of the vehicle. The front driver side, passenger side, and curtain air bags deployed. The contact was concerned about whether the air bags should have deployed for the type of impact experienced. No warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A police report was filed. The contact sought medical attention for bloody stool, lower back pain, and neck pain. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11687252

I am a [XXX] and owner of a 2018 Buick Enclave that suffered a catastrophic transmission failure which nearly killed me and my child. On Friday, [XXX], while driving westbound on [XXX] from Edison, NJ to my home in Easton, PA, my vehicle suddenly and without warning came to a complete halt in the fast lane. A driver tailgating me swerved at the last second to avoid impact. Moments later, when I tried to move again, the car lost all power and drifted helplessly across two lanes of speeding traffic, directly into the path of two tractor-trailers barreling down at highway speeds. This was the hottest day of the summer, and I was left in terror, fully aware that one wrong move would have ended our lives instantly. The fact that my child could have lost their only parent because of a mechanical defect is beyond unacceptable. The stress, fear, and trauma of this incident cannot be overstated—it was a near-fatal event that never should have happened. My mechanic has since confirmed the transmission is destroyed, with black metal fragments throughout—clear evidence of internal failure. Only two months earlier, in June 2024, the car passed inspection with no codes or signs of a problem. This was not wear and tear; it was a hidden, catastrophic defect. In December 2024, GM recalled more than 461,000 vehicles, including certain 2018 Enclave models, for transmission defects leading to rollaway and internal failure. Source: The Lemon Firm, 12/18/24 [XXX] ). My case mirrors the defect exactly, yet I never received recall notice. I demand GM confirm my VIN’s inclusion and cover the full cost of repair or replacement. I barely escaped a fatal crash. GM must act immediately before lives are lost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11682848

Wednesday August 6th 2025, I was coming home from work, the low engine compression and engine light came on the car was shaking and I lost power on a busy road, I had to pull it off the road quickly before I lost all power. I stayed there for a few minutes, then turned the car back on to retreat to a safer spot, I then waited for my husband to bail me out, we checked the oil on the dipstick, there was minimal oil on it. We added 1 quart of oil, then the lights went off, all seemed fine. August 23rd 2025, I was driving my car and the same thing happened car lit up with low engine compression and engine light came on car was shaking, I shit the car off. we added 1quart of oil. But the engine light stayed on after about 30 min. I shut the car off. The engine light went off after I shut the car off.

NHTSA ODI 11682988

The torque converter is failing it seems this is far too common and dangerous with all Buick enclaves for this year. The vehicle shakes when applying the gas not having the power it needs to keep a steady speed without shaking. A mechanic stated the torque converter is bad known as the “GM shutter”

NHTSA ODI 11662883

Check engine light was on due to the EVAP Purge Solenoid not sealing properly and causing a leak. Scan testing performed of the engine control module and diagnosed/cleared DTC P0496-00. Vehicle was brought to a dealership for repair.

NHTSA ODI 11661835

mY VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS UNABLE TO PUT IN DRIVE

NHTSA ODI 11639358

The brake system ABS module/sensor malfunctions- yes it is available for further inspection. Safety is an issue due to the ABS indicator light on. Yes, the problem/issue has been confirmed by a dealership. No inspections have occurred other than the dealership. The only warning is the light indicator for the brakes, parking ABS.

NHTSA ODI 11630001

The car shuts off at random when coming out of autostop, the car will disable power steering when coming out of autostop to make turns making it difficult to turn the steering wheel. Coming out of autostop is typically when you are trying to go or make a turn. This has been an ongoing issue that happens often. The issues began around 60k miles.

NHTSA ODI 11610932

My car starting sputtering on take off from stops, extremely dangerous if you’re trying to get out in traffic and keep up quickly from a stop. Then when I took it to get looked at it the mechanic said it needs a new transmission. Now my family is stuck because that’s our only vehicle big enough for our growing family. They’re was a check engine light that keeps coming on.

NHTSA ODI 11608383

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, and at various speeds, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormally loud high-pitched grinding or squeaking sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the noise was loud enough that pedestrians would turn and look at his vehicle when he depressed the brake pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where the sound was being emitted and could not repair the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11547375

Was driving at 35 MPH with no other cars or obstructions in front of me and the vehicle suddenly slammed on the brakes on its own and the throttle became inactive (would not respond to inputs). I don't know if the vehicle slammed on the parking brake or the service brakes. After 30 or so seconds everything returned to normal. No lights are illuminated on the dash, but a light did come on when the vehicle braked on its own. The light turned off before I could see what it was.

NHTSA ODI 11536713