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2013 Buick Enclave Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Buick Enclave carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering seat belts and side/window. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission failure and shudder.” 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.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

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.

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.

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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Buick Enclave.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission failure and shudder

POWER TRAIN

10 NHTSA complaints · 2017-05 → 2026-02

“This vehicle should have a recall on the transmission upon review the recall numbers NHTSA Recall ID: 14V092000 and NHTSA Recall ID: 09V073000 are not showing up in the system as recalls on the 2013 model”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11556973
“TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NO REVERSE AND WILL NOT SHIFT PAST SECOND GEAR. VEHICLE IS LIMITED TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11153695
“I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE USED FROM HENNESSEY BUICK DEALERSHIP 9 MONTHS AGO AS CERTIFIED USED CAR. MAY 4 TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 75 NORTH, AT SIXTY FIVE MILES PER HOUR/THE TRANSMISSION GIVE A LOUD BAND SOUND AND THE CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10983876

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire sidewall cracking

TIRES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2017-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES, SIZE: P255/60R19 108S. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAD CRACKS AROUND THE PERIMETER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10786285
“ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE PREMATURE SIDEWALL CRACKS AND CRACKS BETWEEN THE TREAD PATTERN. THE VEHICLE HAS THE ORIGINAL FOUR MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR TIRES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10947229
“MY ORIGINAL MICHELIN LATITUDE TOUR 255/60R 19 WAS RECALLED. HOWEVER MY DOT IS OFF BY MAYBE 8 MONTHS. ISSUE WAS DEFECT INSIDEWALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10875603

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Exterior lighting failure

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2019-07

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP BULB EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10816970
“VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHTS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10825119
“REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL/BRAKE LAMPS KEEP BLOWING EVERY 5-6 MONTHS. ALMOST LIKE CLOCK WORK, THE PASSENGER SIDE LAMP BLOWS AND WITHIN 5-6 DAYS THE DRIVER SIDE LAMP BLOWS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11099293

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine power reduction with StabiliTrak fault

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ENGINE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2024-03

“You will just be driving down the road and then get the check engine light, engine power reduced, traction control off, and service stabilitrak warning on the dash board. You can be going 60 and it will just shut down with no warning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11576452
“THE CAR STARTED DYING WHETHER I'M ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 OR STOPPED OR ACCELERATING...SO MANY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.. THE CAR WILL BE GOING ALONG FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SAYS TRACTION CONTROL OFF, SERVICE STABILITRAK SYSTEM, ENGINE POWER REDUCED AND THEN IT DIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11160905
“WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION (AROUND 35-40 MPH) THE STABILITRAK, ABS, A/C, BLIND-SPOT MONITOR SHUTS OFF; SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, BATTERY GAUGE ON DASHBOARD ALL GO DOWN TO ZERO (EVEN WHEN CAR IS MOVING); ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING, BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATOR IS APPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10628529

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss while driving

STEERING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2026-02

“THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ONE DAY WHILE REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE POWER STEERING CEASED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THERE WAS NOT A POLICE REPORT FILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11301142
“Brake seemed as if it had a sound when purchased but dealership said it was inspected. I now find that it leaks fluid and I spent over $600 to replace the pump”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11437307
“LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH INDICATING AWD, TRACTION CONTROL AND ANTI-LOCK BREAKS WERE NOT WORKING. POWER STEERING ALSO WAS NOT WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928267

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2017-05 → 2024-08

“The contact owns a 2013 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11610032
“THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO INDEPENDENT AUTO SERVICE SHOP THEN THE DEALERSHIP, NEITHER COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11195317
“DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG DEFECTIVE. A WARNING LIGHT INDICATED IT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. WHEN REPAIRED, NOTED THAT AIRBAG WAS "OPEN" AND WOULD NOT HAVE INFLATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11044048

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system power loss and stalling

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2022-06

“Engine stalled multiple times while driving. Fuse box under hood loose and threw a code P1682. Only threw code once. No other warnings”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11467986
“RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2014, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM" LIGHT CAME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10644760
“THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON 12/1/14. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, AND THEY TOWED IT IN. THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND THEY TOLD MY WIFE THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10662485

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).

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)

31 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.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

1

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 2013 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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