The Lemon Index
201020121st generation
75 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Toyota Highlander 642011 Honda Pilot 762011 Ford Explorer 221
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2011 Buick Enclave
- Steering rack / power steering22 complaintsmostly at 55,000–74,000 miles (89,000–119,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power9 complaintsmostly at 67,000–74,000 miles (108,000–119,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 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 3,000 and 45,000 miles (4,800–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 65 complaints, of all 75 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), 21V246000 (airbags) and 15V415000 (body structure) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Buick sent dealers 1475 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Buick/chevrolet/gmc/saturn: squeak, moan or rub type noise when turning steering wheel at slow…”?
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 75 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 3K to 45K miles (5K to 72K km) on the car (65 of all 75 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
Transmission does not hold at all - will move forward while in reverse at the slightest incline - also does not shift down to pass other vehicles - very sloppy sluggish transmission.
2011 Buick Enclave owner · NHTSA complaint 10469327
More owner reports
My air bag light came on when I started my Buick Enclave never went off the whole time driving. This is the second time it's happened
NHTSA complaint 10544820
2011 Buick Enclave. Consumer states problem with vehicle air bag
NHTSA complaint 10480381
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1475 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Buick/chevrolet/gmc/saturn: squeak, moan or rub type noise when turning steering wheel at slow…
- There are seat belt problems: difficulty latching and unlatching buckle
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…
- Visibility · recall issued 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MA…
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Enclave SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Enclave SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
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. 2011 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 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-enclave/?y=2011" 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/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Buick Enclave reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 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 109; 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 2011 Buick Enclave problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (28%), airbags (24%) and body structure (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 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 2011 Buick Enclave get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Buick Enclave safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Buick Enclave problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,000 and 45,000 miles (4,800–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 65 complaints, of all 75 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2011 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 2011 Buick Enclave have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 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 2011 Buick Enclave have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Enclave year is better than the 2011?
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