2015 Buick Enclave Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Buick Enclave carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering frontal and critical fasteners. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Wheel air-pressure loss and realignment.” 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.

5 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.

TIRES

Campaign #15V044000 · Jan 28, 2015

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 14, 2015, 2015 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 20, 2015, and 2015 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured December 9, 2014, to January 16, 2015, and all equipped with Goodyear P255/65R18 Fortera HL tires. These vehicles are equipped with tires that may experience tread cracking. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less."

Risk: If the tire treads crack, a loss of tire pressure and possible tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires that were manufactured within a specific date range, free of charge. The rec all began on March 9, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 15025/15067. Note: This recall is for Goodyear P255/65R18 Fortera HL tires installed as original equipment. For tires that were purchased as replacement equipment, see recall 15T-002.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #22V246000 · Apr 14, 2022

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia 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 drivers air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 23, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222366190.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #23V334000 · Oct 5, 2023

Issue: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia 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. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Buick Enclave.

Reported to NHTSA

Wheel air-pressure loss and realignment

WHEELS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-04 → 2018-11

19" CHROME CLAD ALUMINUM WHEELS CONSTANT LEAK AIR. TIRES MUST BE INFLATED EVERY 3 TO FOUR DAYS
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11121760
I PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUGUST 2015. LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER BUYING IT, I HAD ISSUES WITH WHEELS AS IT WIGGLES AND IS NOT STABLE REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF ROAD I AM IN
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11149526
TIRES: EXPERIENCING TREAD CRACKING, LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. I AM CONSTANTLY STOPPING TO ADD AIR TO TIRES, LOSS OF PRESSURE IS INTERMITTENT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11083132

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt buckle and retractor lock-up

SEAT BELTS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2019-08

THE SCARIEST THING AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SEAT BELT LOCKING TO THE POINT OF A CHILD NEARLY FAINTING BECAUSE IT WAS CHOCKING HIM AROUND THE BELLY AREA
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10763443
MY DAUGHTER ENDED UP GETTING THE SEAT BELT TWISTED AROUND HER WAIST WHEN SHE WAS TRYING TO GET OUT. THE SEATBELT WAS LOCKED TIGHTLY AROUND HER WAIST AND SHE COULD NOT GET OUT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11241030
THE SEAT BELT CABLE COMPLETELY SHARED OFF WHERE IT ATTACHES TO FLOOR. CAME APART WHEN TRYING TO USE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11217092

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

94 NHTSA complaints · 2022-08 → 2024-10

I was notified via USPS mail by GM 06/2023 regarding a recall (N232404980 / 23V334) & parts not being currently available
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608418
This recall has been an issue since the middle of last year. I have called Buick several times and I am still being told that, "there is no remedy". It is unsafe for me to drive my children around in a vehicle with an airbag issue
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11570289
I don’t know if this is the correct form but - My vehicle has been recalled for a serious safety risk and Buick will not provide a replacement vehicle or pay for a rental while my car is not drivable
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11531726

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Power steering pump and rack failure

STEERING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2016-01 → 2023-01

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY 2015 BUICK ENCLAVE THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. ABOUT 15K MILES LATER, THE POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11229297
The steering wheel develops play because the components of the tie rod loosen and it is difficult to maintain control of the vehicle at high and low speeds
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11431675
SON WAS DRIVING CAR AND THE STEERING LOCKED. VEARED OFF ROAD AFTER TURNING ONTO STREET, WENT OVER CURB ONTO SIDEWALK AND HIT LIGHT POLE AND CONCRETE BENCH, STOPPING INCHES FROM A BUILDING. CAR WAS TOTALED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11403787

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Sudden loss of power while driving

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

9 NHTSA complaints · 2016-09 → 2025-03

CAR SHUTS OFF LOSE POWER GOING 70 MILES A HOUR ON HIGHYAY WE FILED A COMPLAINT BACK JANUARY 2019 PROBLEM STILL HAPPENS JUST LAST WEEK IT HAPPENED AGAIN WERE GONNA GET HURT SOONER OR LATER IF NOT FIXED THANK YOU
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11325840
While driving at highway speed, Service Traction Control/Stabilitrak warning comes on. Vehicle slows and if driver attempts to accelerate (using accelerator pedal), it causes severe lurching of vehicle
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11492651
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE ENGINE RPMS REVVED UP WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11301125

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Excessive oil consumption and timing chain wear

ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2024-07 → 2025-07

oil just disappears. Burns off all the engine oil w no smoke
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11673533
I took my car in for routine maintenance service and requested them to investigate a rattle noise when the car is started and when it idles. The vehicle was around 96K mile range
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11602483
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that upon inspection it was discovered that the vehicle was leaking engine oil
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11631383

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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)

15 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.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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 2015 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.