Is power liftgate failure and unexpected closure a known issue with the 2011 Buick Enclave?

14 NHTSA complaints have been filed about power liftgate failure and unexpected closure on the 2011 Buick Enclave (2013-04 → 2021-04). Reported component: STRUCTURE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #10505898): "THE BACK AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE WAS ACTIVATED. THE LIFT GATE OPENED PROPERLY BUT WHEN IT WAS OPENED COMPLETELY THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE DOOR FELL CLOSED" Source: NHTSA.

Is power steering loss and pump failure a known issue with the 2011 Buick Enclave?

31 NHTSA complaints have been filed about power steering loss and pump failure on the 2011 Buick Enclave (2014-02 → 2022-08). Reported component: STEERING. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11480571): "At low speed all power steering is lost. Almost ran into a parked car. When pulling from a driveway onto the roadway almost hit another car head on. My wife will no longer drive the car because of this" Source: NHTSA.

Is engine stall and loss of power while driving a known issue with the 2011 Buick Enclave?

17 NHTSA complaints have been filed about engine stall and loss of power while driving on the 2011 Buick Enclave (2013-11 → 2026-08). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #10572550): "WHILE DRIVING ON I-85 IN ATLANTA, GA...DOING 75MPH IN THE FAST LANE....THE ENGINE JUST DIED...SAYING THE ENGINE POWER HAD BEEN REDUCED....I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE LEFT LANE & STOPPED ON A DIVIDER @ EXIT 95(ENTRANCE TO I-285)" Source: NHTSA.

2011 Buick Enclave Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

Q: Is vehicle rollback on inclines in drive or park a known issue with the 2011 Buick Enclave?

12 NHTSA complaints have been filed about vehicle rollback on inclines in drive or park on the 2011 Buick Enclave (2011-09 → 2015-07). Reported component: POWER TRAIN. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #10426648): "BUICK ENCLAVE 2011: THE CAR ROLLS DOWN UNCONTROLLABLY ON HILLS WHILE IN GEAR WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, AND IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. THIS ALSO REQUIRES VERY QUICK MOVEMENT FROM BRAKE TO ACCELERATOR. THERE IS NO "HILL HOLD" FEATURE AND DRIVETRAIN PROVIDES NO RESISTANCE" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is airbag warning light illumination a known issue with the 2011 Buick Enclave?

28 NHTSA complaints have been filed about airbag warning light illumination on the 2011 Buick Enclave (2011-12 → 2023-11). Reported component: AIR BAGS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #10438882): "AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. LOVE BUICK, COLUMBIA SC REPLACED MODULE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WITH A MESSAGE " SERVICE AIRBAG ". ABOVE DEALER NOW HAS THIS VEHICLE IN SERVICE AND SAYS THEY NEED TO KEEP IT SEVERAL DAYS FOR MORE DIAGNOSTICS. *TR" Source: NHTSA.

The 2011 Buick Enclave carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering frontal and critical fasteners. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power liftgate failure and unexpected closure.” 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.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #21V782000 · Jul 10, 2021

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Campaign #21V246000 · Aug 4, 2021

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.

Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.

SEAT BELTS

Campaign #14V266000 · May 20, 2014

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

Campaign #15V415000 · Jun 30, 2015

Issue: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #14V118000 · Mar 17, 2014

Issue: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

Campaign #12V151000 · Sep 4, 2012

Issue: GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Buick Enclave.

Reported to NHTSA

Power liftgate failure and unexpected closure

STRUCTURE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2021-04

“THE BACK AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE WAS ACTIVATED. THE LIFT GATE OPENED PROPERLY BUT WHEN IT WAS OPENED COMPLETELY THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE DOOR FELL CLOSED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10505898

“MY WIFE WAS UNLOADING THE GROCERIES ONE DAY AND THE POWER LIFT GATE FELL ON HER BACK WITHOUT WARNING. SHE HAD A VERY BAD BRUISE AND SKIN ABRASION FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I WAS SURPRISED THAT OUR LIFT GATE STRUTS HAD FAILED WITH ONLY 54K MILES ON THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10794767

“CAME HOME FROM THE STORE , AS I WAS GETTING GROCERIES OUT OF THE BACK THE TAIL LIFTGATE CAME DOWN AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD. NOW WHEN ITS OPEN IT JUMPS UP AND DOWN.IT HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. VERY DANGEROUS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11091977

“THE REAR LIFT GATE GAVE OUT AND AND WILL NO LONGER GO UP OR DOWN AUTOMATICALLY OR STAY UP WHEN OPEN, THE DOOR WILL SHUT ON YOU”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11408285

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle rollback on inclines in drive or park

POWER TRAIN

12 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2015-07

“BUICK ENCLAVE 2011: THE CAR ROLLS DOWN UNCONTROLLABLY ON HILLS WHILE IN GEAR WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, AND IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. THIS ALSO REQUIRES VERY QUICK MOVEMENT FROM BRAKE TO ACCELERATOR. THERE IS NO "HILL HOLD" FEATURE AND DRIVETRAIN PROVIDES NO RESISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10426648

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN ON A FLAT ROAD AND SLOWLY DISENGAGED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10627615

“EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN IN PARK.,I TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAY IT'S COMMON. WHAT EVER THAT MEANS. I PUT UP WITH THIS UNTIL NOW THAT I AM PARKING IT IN A SMALL GARAGE AND WHEN I PARK IT IT ROLLS BACK AND THE OVERHEAD DOOR HITS THE BUMPER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10723160

“I OWN A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS IN DRIVE ON AN INCLINE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR AND ROLES FORWARD WHEN ON A DECLINE WHEN IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL UNTIL I APPLY THE BRAKES. I ACTUALLY HAVE TO WORK THE BRAKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10734773

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss and pump failure

STEERING

31 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2022-08

“At low speed all power steering is lost. Almost ran into a parked car. When pulling from a driveway onto the roadway almost hit another car head on. My wife will no longer drive the car because of this”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11480571

“AT SLOWER SPEEDS WHILE NOT ACCELERATING OR ON UNEVEN SURFACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILS REVERTING TO MANUAL STEERING. MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11220675

“THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING TO TIGHTEN AT SLOW SPEEDS MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT POWER STEERING PRESSURE INLET HOSE AND POWER STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11130634

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (LUTHER GMC, 3202 36TH ST S, FARGO, ND) DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11092171

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

28 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2023-11

“AIR BAG LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. LOVE BUICK, COLUMBIA SC REPLACED MODULE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WITH A MESSAGE " SERVICE AIRBAG ". ABOVE DEALER NOW HAS THIS VEHICLE IN SERVICE AND SAYS THEY NEED TO KEEP IT SEVERAL DAYS FOR MORE DIAGNOSTICS. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10438882

“The contact owns a 2011 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who related the failure to an unknown recall”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11555098

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BUICK ENCLAVE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11245171

“I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 84,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE AND MY "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. I SEE SEVERAL OTHERS ALSO FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO THEIR VEHICLES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11122944

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and loss of power while driving

ENGINE

17 NHTSA complaints · 2013-11 → 2026-08

“WHILE DRIVING ON I-85 IN ATLANTA, GA...DOING 75MPH IN THE FAST LANE....THE ENGINE JUST DIED...SAYING THE ENGINE POWER HAD BEEN REDUCED....I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE LEFT LANE & STOPPED ON A DIVIDER @ EXIT 95(ENTRANCE TO I-285)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10572550

“WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 70 MPH, VEHICLE RPMS JUMPED UPWARD THEN ENGINE SHUTDOWN, HAVING TO DRIFT OUT OF 70 MPH TRAFFIC ONTO SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10864514

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 65 MPH AND ALL OF SUDDEN L LOSS ALL ENGINE POWER. I COULD BARELY STEER THE SUV OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALMOST GOT HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER DRIVER. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THE MOTOR SEIZED UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11311035

“I drove to work just fine on May 19th, 2020, when I got off work around 3pm. I started the car and as I was about to pull out on Brightleaf BLVD in smithfield, NC my car just stopped”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11760962

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

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

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)

47 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2011 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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