AI Damage2016 Buick Enclave: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Buick Enclave filed 141 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and powertrain. The maker issued 826 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 141
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 826
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 78% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 2% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 2% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 2% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 1% of all complaints
- Air bags: 110 complaints (78% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 58.
- Engine: 9 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 87.
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 152.
- Structure: 3 complaints (2% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 30.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 141 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 110 | 2 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 0 | 58 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 87 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 152 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 30 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 326 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 46 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 23 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 107 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 30 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
We were involved in a motor vehicle accident on I-79 in pennsylvania where we were struck from the rear we were stopped in traffic the impact was severe it knocked the rear tire completely off. There was smoke coming in the vents of the front of the car and the air bags did not deploy.
We were very surprised our airbags did not deploy upon impact. We smelled the smoke usually involved with the airbags being deployed but nothing happened other than a notification to service the airbags which did not exist prior to this incident.
Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began repeatedly jerking and hesitating while driving. During occurrences, Traction Control/StabiliTrak warnings appeared and the vehicle experienced loss of power and difficulty accelerating normally. I reported the jerking/drivability problem to the selling dealer.
Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Buick Enclave on November 25, 2025 from an independent dealer. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the Odometer reading was 102,068.
Unfortunately the battery died by morning and I could not get it charged for a few days. Now I have learned how to take the battery cover off which is located in the back of the car and remove the plastic covers under the mat so I can disconnect the battery so it doesn't run down.
The contact stated that a message indicating that the front passenger's side seat belt was not buckled and that the front passenger's side air bag was enabled was displayed, even though the front passenger's side seat was not occupied.
No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the transmission specialist test-drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gear was burnt, and the transmission needed to be replaced.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 447 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Enclave has 50 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 141, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This is to advise about a part concern
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
NHTSA lists 826 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Buick Enclave?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 141. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (4%), seat belts (3%), smoke, burning smell, fire (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA lists 826 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Buick Enclave from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.