The Lemon Index
20091st generation
83 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota Highlander 1582008 Honda Pilot 232008 Ford Explorer 29
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Buick Enclave
- Sunroof leak or shatter52 complaintsmostly at 60,000–120,000 miles (97,000–193,000 km)
- Steering rack / power steering33 complaintsmostly at 62,000–95,000 miles (101,000–153,000 km)
- Transmission failure30 complaintsmostly at 68,000–82,000 miles (109,000–132,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 536 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Buick Enclave (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,300 and 44,000 miles (7,000–70,000 km) (the middle half of the 71 complaints, of all 83 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V782000 (airbags), 15V415000 (body structure) and 14V118000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Buick sent dealers 1117 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Power door locks inoperative or other various electrical issues”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Buick's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 83 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 43K miles (7K to 70K km) on the car (71 of all 83 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2008 Buick Enclave. Consumer expresses discontent regarding compensation for the loss of a feature on the vehicle that was paid for in the original purchase
2008 Buick Enclave owner · NHTSA complaint 10348797
More owner reports
Ltr re problems he is having with the airbag system in his 2008 Buick Enclave.
NHTSA complaint 10244788
Nothing unusual, all power turned off; first two times, battery near-dead when started, then completely dead after turning key in ignition several times. Third time, key would not come out until battery was recharged.
NHTSA complaint 10258896
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1117 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Power door locks inoperative or other various electrical issues
- Buick/chevrolet/gmc/pontiac/saturn/suzuki: all wheel drive system inoperative and dtc c0550 set
- Pontiac/saturn/buick/gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/hummer: vehicle start and stalls after theft…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- Body structure · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
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…
Show all 6 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALAN…
- Electrical · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON X…
- Visibility · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 88,809 MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE, AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedNon-crash engine compartment fires2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Buick Enclave year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-enclave/?y=2008" title="Buick Enclave reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="606" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/buick-enclave/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Buick Enclave reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Buick Enclave reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 113; 100 is average, lower is better). The Buick Enclave year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2022.
What are the most common 2008 Buick Enclave problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (20%), electrical (20%) and visibility (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Buick Enclave have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Buick Enclave get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Buick Enclave problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,300 and 44,000 miles (7,000–70,000 km) (the middle half of the 71 complaints, of all 83 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Buick Enclave have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Buick Enclave cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Buick Enclave have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Enclave year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2009 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2022 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works