The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
20 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Toyota Highlander 372016 Honda Pilot 3402016 Ford Explorer 407
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 18 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V334000 (airbags), 21V782000 (airbags) and 15V833000 (seats) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Buick sent dealers 1150 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…”?
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 20 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 5K to 51K miles (9K to 82K km) on the car (18 of all 20 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 won't shift out of 1st gear and reverse gear does not work.
2016 Buick Enclave owner · NHTSA complaint 10914858
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 1150 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…
- If a vehicle comes into the dealership with a knock noise, seized engine, lower end squeak or…
- This informational bulletin provides information internal engine noise or damage after oil…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2023
The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
- Seats · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.
Show all 4 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Enclave SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Buick Enclave SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,550 (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. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-enclave/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Buick Enclave reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Buick Enclave reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 36; 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 2016 Buick Enclave problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (20%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and electrical (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Buick Enclave have?
4 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 2016 Buick Enclave get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 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.
Does the 2016 Buick Enclave have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Buick Enclave cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Buick Enclave have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Enclave year is better than the 2016?
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