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2009 Buick Enclave Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Buick Enclave has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power liftgate or tailgate fails to open or close.” Buick uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm tracks engine revolutions and temperature, then lights the change-oil message — typically every 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, using dexos-approved oil. Current Encore GX and Envista run 1.2/1.3L turbo three-cylinders where oil quality matters more than volume drivers expect (the sump is small and turbo-heated). Front-drive models pair to a CVT with a published fluid interval — it is not a lifetime part.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Buick Enclave.

Reported to NHTSA

Power liftgate or tailgate fails to open or close

STRUCTURE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2012-11 → 2025-03

“I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING MY POWER LIFT GATE. I TOOK IT TO SEELYE OF SOUTH HAVEN IN SOUTH HAVEN MI. TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THEN ON 9/26, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE PROP ROD. WHICH I CAN TELL YOU THE ROD MOVES ALOT WHEN I MANUALLY OPEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10909924
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE DID NOT MANUALLY CLOSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V415000 (STRUCTURE) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10787187

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Accelerator pedal failure to respond or unintended surge

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

12 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2019-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10995841
“CAR ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN DURING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WAS TRAVELING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY IN THE DESERT AT 70 MPH IN #1 LANE, ATTEMPTING TO PASS A SEMI TRUCK, WENT TO THE #2 LANE INCREASED SPEED UP TO 75, LET OFF GAS ONCE I WAS BACK IN #1 LANE AND MY CAR WAS AT 5 RPM WHEN TYPICALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11163126
“DRIVING ON A FREEWAY SPEED POSTED 80MPH, 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE RPM'S BEGAN TO SHOOT FROM 2000 RPM TO 5000RPM WHEN PUSHING ON ACCELERATOR. FORWARD MOVEMENT CONTINUED FOR SHORT DISTANCE AT 2000 RPM. TRAFFIC WAS MERGING TO ONE LEFT LANE FOR CONSTRUCTION ON A BRIDGE. PULLED OFF TO THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11014660

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission slipping or failure to engage gear

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2021-05

“WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY BETWEEN 70 AND 75 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING AND RPM JUMPS UP TO 4500. ALSO ENCOUNTER THE SAME PROBLEM ON LOCAL STREET DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH, TRANSMISSION STARTS SLIPPING AND RPM RACES FROM ABOUT 1500 TO 2800. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11084593
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK TOWARDS THE WOODS. THE CONTACT CALLED SOUTHTOWNE CHEVROLET (695 BULLSBORO DR, NEWNAN, GA 30265) AND WAS INFORMED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11055500

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition coil failure causing cylinder misfire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2019-10

“WE REPLACED COIL 4 AND 2 BACK IN DEC 2015, THEN NUMBER 1 ON 10-30-2017, AND NOW THEY ARE STATING NUMBERS 3 AND 5 ARE BAD...IS THIS NORMAL? DO WE HAVE A DEFECTIVE CAR? ALL OF THE GM CARS WE HAVE OWNED, WE HAVE NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE 1 MUCH LESS 5!!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11075315
“11/28/2018 I AUTHORIZED LEITH BUICK GMC TRUCK INC TO REPAIR CYLINDER #2 AND #4 ENGINE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. 3/3/2019 #2 CYLINDER BEGAN MISFIRING. 3/7/2019 REPLACED THE ENGINE COIL AND FOUND THAT PART DID NOT MATCH MY INVOICE. 4/10/2019 TOOK OFF #4 AND FOUND IT DID NOT MATCH MY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11234097
“MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE HAD TO HAVE THE TIMING CHAINS AND ALSO 1/4 ACTULATORS REPLACED AT JUST UNDER 78,000 MILES. I DID GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE OTHER 3 ACTULATORS REPLACED SINCE THEY ALREADY HAD TO DROP THE ENGINE OUT OF MY CAR TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS. THIS WAS A HUGE EXPENSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10851991

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt buckle fails to latch or retract

SEAT BELTS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2023-03

“2 REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT LATCH. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS WE USE THESE SEATS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308747
“I attempted to put my seatbelt on the cable that attaches the seatbelt to the vehicle broke. If this had failed during an accident, my seatbelt would have failed. I have contacted GMC regarding the issue. They advised me that there was an extended warranty for this item but it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11420659

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of power steering assist or steering lock-up

STEERING

110 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2025-08

“LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS. INITIALLY OCCURRED OCCASIONALLY, BUT FREQUENCY HAS INCREASED TO THE POINT WHERE IT NOW OCCURS ALMOST DAILY. PRIOR TO STEERING FAILURE, I DID NOTICE A FUNNY SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO FAR RIGHT OR LEFT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10627569
“DEALER IS TELLING ME THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ARE LEAKING AND NEED REPLACED. ESTIMATE IS $1754. I JUST STARTED NOTICING THE STEERING WHINING IN THE PAST WEEK OR SO. WARRANTY ENDED ON THE STEERING AT 90,000. FROM THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS I SEE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10627428
“MY STEERING CONTINUES TO LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING. MAKING TURNS STEERING GETS TIGHT. I HAVE HAD ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. AT THIS POINT I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND CHILDREN WHEN DRIVING. THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF ISSUES AND COMPLAINTS REGARDING A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11315657

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 0W-20 on modern engines. Small-displacement turbos (Encore GX, Envista): don't stretch the indicator.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two in its schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Older Centurys: check rear drum adjustment and parking-brake cables, which seize with age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

CVT Fluid (Encore GX / Envista FWD)

Every 45,000 mi

FWD Encore GX and Envista use a CVT: GM schedules fluid replacement around 45,000 miles under severe service — which includes most city commuting. AWD Encore GX uses a 9-speed automatic instead (see transmission fluid).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Conventional automatics (Century's 4T65-E, Regal's Aisin, AWD Encore GX's 9-speed): GM lists 45,000 miles severe / longer normal. Older Buicks respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile units.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Small-turbo three-cylinders (Encore GX, Envista): roughly every 60,000 miles — check the manual. Older 3.1/3.8 V6s: iridium plugs last to 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at every oil change in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing rather than mileage alone.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — behind the glovebox on modern Buicks.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On older 3.1/3.8 V6s, intake-gasket seepage was the classic failure — check coolant level and condition at every oil change on a Century.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped Encore GX/Envista use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, not with a cheaper flooded battery.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

15 crashes 1990–2024

How the 15 occupant deaths break down

14

driver deaths

1

passenger deaths

15

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2011 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Buick Enclave reflects Buick's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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