The Lemon Index
201920212nd generation
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Toyota Highlander 472020 Honda Pilot 2332020 Ford Explorer 248
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21V115000 (tires), 20V684000 (tires) and 20V668000 (transmission & drivetrain) 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.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Buick sent dealers 757 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This Preliminary information communicates to perform a transmission fluid drain and fill to…”?
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 18 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 1K to 7K miles (2K to 11K km) on the car (10 of all 18 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
Vehicle jerks at low speeds when accelerating. Brakes grind when applied at hard braking or regular braking.
2020 Buick Enclave owner · NHTSA complaint 11376503
Problems Buick told dealers about
Buick sent dealers 757 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Preliminary information communicates to perform a transmission fluid drain and fill to…
- This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of a rear…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Tires · recall issued 2021
The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- Tires · recall issued 2020
The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2020
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Show all 6 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
- Body structure · recall issued 2019
The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked.
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 $2,850–$3,000 (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. 2020 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 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/buick-enclave/?y=2020" 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/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Buick Enclave reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Buick Enclave reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable 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 47; 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 2020 Buick Enclave problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (22%), electrical (22%) and brakes (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Buick Enclave have?
6 safety recalls (latest: tires). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Buick Enclave get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 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 2020 Buick Enclave have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Buick Enclave cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Buick Enclave have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Buick Enclave year is better than the 2020?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
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