The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
33 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Toyota Highlander 492012 Honda Pilot 642012 Ford Explorer 111
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2012 Buick Enclave
- Struts / shocks12 complaintsmostly at 62,000–87,000 miles (100,000–140,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 133 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 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 16,000 and 52,000 miles (26,000–84,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 33 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 rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Buick sent dealers 1571 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Reservoir for power steering fluid is heat damaged and leaking”?
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 33 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 15K to 52K miles (26K to 84K km) on the car (23 of all 33 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
My car has had to be towed twice due to failure to start. It will crank then the engine light will come on and will not crank anymore. Has been at shop two times each time a week with no answer to why.
2012 Buick Enclave owner · NHTSA complaint 10577833
More owner reports
Steering gear boots leaking fluid on awd vehicle. Approx $1780 repair to replace steering gear seals needed per chevrolet dealer service department.
NHTSA complaint 10651319
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1571 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Reservoir for power steering fluid is heat damaged and leaking
- Buick/chevrolet/gmc/saturn: see document search button for owner letter
- On some trucks and passenger vehicles, accessory power outlets (apo) and trailer lighting are
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. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-enclave/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Buick Enclave reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Buick Enclave reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 51; 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 2012 Buick Enclave problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (24%), steering (21%) and electrical (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 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 2012 Buick Enclave get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 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 2012 Buick Enclave problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 52,000 miles (26,000–84,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2012 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 2012 Buick Enclave have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 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 2012 Buick Enclave have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Enclave year is better than the 2012?
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