repaired · 2023 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2008 Buick EnclaveProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 536 owner complaints about the 2008 Buick Enclave, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-782 the manufacturer reports only 65% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 4, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Buick Enclave has problems
536 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
139Power train3 crash/fire/injury
113Air bags6 crash/fire/injury
99Steering6 crash/fire/injury
77Structure9 crash/fire/injury
73Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
72Engine9 crash/fire/injury
22Visibility
22Electronic stability control (ESC)
17Vehicle speed control
9918 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 139 | 3 |
| Air bags | 113 | 6 |
| Steering | 99 | 6 |
| Structure | 77 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 73 | 3 |
| Engine | 72 | 9 |
| Visibility | 22 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 22 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 0 |
| 18 other systems | 99 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2008 Buick Enclave recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Body: hatchback/liftgate
Risk. If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Air bags: side/window
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
82kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 127 power train complaints. 65% were reported before 100,000 miles.
10under 30k miles83under 100k miles44100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
12 owners mentioned a cost$3,800median
Middle half: $2,825 – $4,146
Steering
12 owners mentioned a cost$1,944median
Middle half: $1,425 – $2,350
Air bags
12 owners mentioned a cost$900median
Middle half: $688 – $1,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Enclave year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Enclave median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Buick Enclave safety ratings
2008 Buick Enclave 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Buick Enclave, and the recalls they led to.
- NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 08V-441
In owners' words
What Enclave owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
At 65,000 Transmission went out 100,000 Electrical issue due to lose ground wire under fuse box 121,000 Electrical issue caused battery to drain and vehicle not turn off. Even if key out of ignition 121,000 Driver Side Curtain Airbags deployed when battery replaced
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
The contact owns a 2008 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer…
Own a 2008 Enclave?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.