AI Damage2020 Buick Enclave: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Buick Enclave filed 61 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 711 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 61
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 711
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 28% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 17 complaints (28% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 67.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (16% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 166.
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 73.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 36.
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, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 61 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 67 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 2 | 166 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 1 | 73 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 36 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 15 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 96 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 39 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 24 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 19 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 20 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 12 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Vehicle suffered a catastrophic, uncommanded electronic and mechanical system failure within 30 days of purchase, resulting in a severe crash.Prior to the incident, the vehicle exhibited a violent, unexpected jerking motion while accelerating up a highway on-ramp, though control was briefly regained.
For whatever reason the rear door will not lock at all. The fuse was perfectly fine, appears the actuator is defective. No warning was given because the rear liftgate was open and unlatched.
My car started making a loud and rattling noise and when I had my vehicle looked at there was a huge crack in my exhaust pipe which could potentially be leaking harmful toxins in the cabin of my vehicle.
While the contact's wife was attempting to park the vehicle, the transmission failed to shift into park as needed. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle was parked. The contact used bricks to chock the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.
Drivers side seatbelt would not latch and dealership said it needed replaced.
Front exhaust pipe separated from its mounting bracket causing a consistent rattle. This condition is exactly as described in "N222385510 - Special Coverage Front Exhaust Pipe", released in May 2023.
The paint layers are separating prematurely, reducing corrosion protection and long-term durability. Exposed metal increases the risk of rust, structural weakening, and potential failure of the door panel, which may affect occupant safety in the event of a collision.
Lateral arms needed replaced at 60,000 miles causing shaking, accelerated wear on tires, increasing misalignment.
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 787 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 37% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Enclave has 50 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 61, above average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
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
- 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 Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered…
This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered vehicles and advises of warranty direction.
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- 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.
NHTSA lists 711 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 2020 Buick Enclave?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 61. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (18%), knocking, grinding or other noise (15%), jerking, harsh shifts (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Buick Enclave?
NHTSA lists 711 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 2020 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 2020 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.