The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
26 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota Highlander 772009 Honda Pilot 182009 Ford Explorer
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2009 Buick Enclave
- Steering rack / power steering47 complaintsmostly at 57,000–87,000 miles (92,000–140,000 km)
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 68,000–83,000 miles (109,000–134,000 km)
- Timing chain8 complaintsmostly at 58,000–150,000 miles (93,000–242,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 220 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 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 14,000 and 55,000 miles (22,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 26 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 14V266000 (seat belts) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Buick sent dealers 1231 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Buick/gmc/saturn: intermittent stiff steering after driving through a puddle of water”?
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 26 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 13K to 55K miles (22K to 89K km) on the car (25 of all 26 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
Power steering fails intermittently in parking lots and at slow speeds. Am almost unable to turn the steering wheel at all, then it "gives" causing the car to jerk.
2009 Buick Enclave owner · NHTSA complaint 10477240
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1231 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Buick/gmc/saturn: intermittent stiff steering after driving through a puddle of water
- Gmc/chevrolet/saturn/buick: click or clunk noise from the steering column when turning
- Buick/chevrolet/gmc/pontiac/saturn/suzuki: all wheel drive system inoperative and dtc c0550 set
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- 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.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Show all 8 recalls
- 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…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES.
- 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…
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 16,667 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLI…
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
- ClosedOutboard front seat belt anchor cable failure2020–2024
- ClosedSeat belt anchor cable failure2019–2020
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
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. 2009 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=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Buick Enclave reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Buick Enclave reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 75; 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 2009 Buick Enclave problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (31%), brakes (15%) and engine (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Buick Enclave have?
8 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 2009 Buick Enclave get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Buick Enclave problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 14,000 and 55,000 miles (22,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 25 complaints, of all 26 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 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 2009 Buick Enclave have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 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 2009 Buick Enclave have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Enclave year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half 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