The Lemon Index
200920111st generation
55 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Toyota Highlander 712010 Honda Pilot 152010 Ford Explorer 73
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2010 Buick Enclave
- Timing chain51 complaintsmostly at 75,000–115,000 miles (121,000–185,000 km)
- Steering rack / power steering36 complaintsmostly at 55,000–86,000 miles (89,000–138,000 km)
- Engine stalling18 complaintsmostly at 50,000–110,000 miles (80,000–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 275 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 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 7,000 and 61,000 miles (11,000–98,000 km) (the middle half of the 50 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (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), 21V246000 (airbags) and 15V415000 (body structure) done? It has 6 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?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Buick sent dealers 1406 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Gmc/chevrolet/saturn/buick: click or clunk noise from the steering column when turning”?
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 55 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 7K to 61K miles (11K to 98K km) on the car (50 of all 55 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
Rack and pinion needed to be replaced control arm needed to be replaced steering bushing needed to be replaced.
2010 Buick Enclave owner · NHTSA complaint 10512171
More owner reports
I lost my steering with only 400 miles the first time.the power steering pump was replaced. The second time the mileage was 6404 the rack was replaced. The first incident was in florida the second was in new york.
NHTSA complaint 10425325
When driving slow usually in parking lots or a u-turn, the power steering fails and becomes very difficult to turn vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10551237
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1406 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Gmc/chevrolet/saturn/buick: click or clunk noise from the steering column when turning
- Buick/cadillac/chevrolet/gmc: equipped with 6t70 or 6t75 automatic transmission (rpos mh2,…
- Buick/chevrolet/gmc/saturn: squeak, moan or rub type noise when turning steering wheel at slow…
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
- 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.
Show all 6 recalls
- 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.
- 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.
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
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. 2010 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-enclave/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Buick Enclave reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Buick Enclave reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 90; 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 2010 Buick Enclave problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (51%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and brakes (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 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 2010 Buick Enclave get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Buick Enclave problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 61,000 miles (11,000–98,000 km) (the middle half of the 50 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2010 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2010 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 2010 Buick Enclave have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 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 2010 Buick Enclave have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Enclave year is better than the 2010?
Nearby, the 2013 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter 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