2018 Buick Enclave problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Buick Enclave, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 0 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 47
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Median mileage
- 52,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 13 of 47 complaints (28%).
- Transmission & Drivetrain (13) and engine (11) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 52,000 mi.
- Owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury.
- It ranks 9th of 19 Buick Enclave model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 72% fewer complaints than the 2017 model year (166).
2018 Buick Enclave problems by category
- Brakes13 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash13 complaints
- Engine11 complaints
- Electrical System · 1 crash9 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash7 complaints
- Other / Unknown5 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion3 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash2 complaints
- Lighting2 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control2 complaints
- Steering2 complaints
- Suspension2 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts · 1 crash1 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
- Body & Structure1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power train | 12 |
| Service brakes | 12 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Electrical system | 8 |
| Unknown or other | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 |
| Air bags | 2 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2018 Buick Enclave recalls (0)
No recalls on file.
Recent 2018 Buick Enclave complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 25, 2026ALDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
The vehicle is experiencing an intermittent but severe safety defect involving the StabiliTrak and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) systems. While driving at operational speeds, the "Service StabiliTrak" warning light illuminates, immediately followed by the uncommanded, autonomous engagement of the electronic parking brake. When the defect occurs, the vehicle forcibly brakes itself and suffers a complete loss of throttle response, preventing acceleration. This creates a…
NHTSA complaint #11766879 · source - Filed Jun 8, 2026INFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSuspension
I am submitting this letter to formally report two ongoing issues with my 2018 Buick Enclave. First, I have experienced persistent problems with the emissions purge valve. My vehicle has repeatedly triggered diagnostic trouble code P0496, indicating a malfunction in the purge valve system. I am aware that this issue has been the subject of recall campaigns for other Buick Enclave models; however, my vehicle has not been included in any such recall, despite exhibiting the…
NHTSA complaint #11742783 · source - Filed May 26, 202672,000 miTNTowedElectrical SystemEngine
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the alternator was replaced 4 times before the dealer diagnosed that the failure was due to oil leaking onto the alternator and the battery. The contact stated that the alternator had been replaced 6 times in total. Additionally, the contact stated while pulling out of the parking lot and onto…
NHTSA complaint #11740184 · source - Filed May 12, 2026COTransmission & Drivetrain
After two transmission flushes and being told by a Buick dealership's service technicians that nothing is wrong with the vechile's transmission, it has now failed completely at ~90k miles.
NHTSA complaint #11737422 · source - Filed May 5, 2026TNEngine
Exhaust leak from broken front exhaust pipe. This has been a known defect in this make/model however the year of my vehicle was not included in the extended repair window and should have been. The exhaust leak was identified by the dealership when the vehicle was taken in for other maintenance. I had to pay for the repair myself and would like to be reimbursed due to this being a manufacturer known defect with the exhaust pipe. The exhaust leak caused unusual noises, a loud…
NHTSA complaint #11735792 · source - Filed Apr 28, 2026SCVisibility & Wipers
The air conditioning system failure prevents proper windshield defogging, significantly reducing visibility in humid or rainy conditions. Additionally, cabin temperatures become excessively high, causing driver fatigue and impaired concentration. This creates an unsafe driving condition and increases the risk of a crash
NHTSA complaint #11734443 · source - Filed Apr 4, 2026NCCrashSeats & Seat Belts
In December 2017 we were involved in a rear end collision so violent the spare tire was knocked out from under the vehicle. Our vehicle, 2014 Buick Enclave VIN [XXX] was struck in the rear. The lap belt held us secure, but the shoulder belt allowed us to be tossed forward. My head hit the left windshield/top post leaving me looking like a racoon the next day. General Motors representatives, [XXX] CEO at the time ,stated the seat belts functioned properly. I injured my left…
NHTSA complaint #11729195 · source - Filed Mar 23, 2026110,000 miTNTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, with a grinding sound coming from the transmission. A bystander pushed the vehicle to the side road, and the vehicle was later towed to the residence. The contact’s husband inspected the vehicle and determined that it had experienced transmission failure. No further information was available. The…
NHTSA complaint #11726444 · source
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Other 2018 Buick models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology