The 2012 Buick Enclave is a decent family-hauler with plenty to offer the average shopper. Unfortunately, the SUV has a few high-profile problems, including an erratic transmission, airbags that might not deploy, and deteriorating seat belt cables.
Key Points
- The 2012 Buick Enclave has six recalls from the NHTSA, concerning issues such as airbag failure, faulty liftgate, and rocky transmission.
- GM’s six-speed automatic is the most problematic area of the vehicle. Owners report the unit grinding during gear shifts, shaking while in motion, and a burning smell emanating from under the hood.
- Also of concern, a steel seat belt cable is known to deteriorate and break. When this happens, the seat belt may not retain the driver in a crash.
- Overall, Buick’s 2012 Enclave is a decent SUV. But like any 10-year-old vehicle, you should run the VIN for recalls and have a tech perform an inspection before buying.
Half of 2012 Buick Enclave’s Six Recalls are Over Airbag Problems that Include an Exploding Inflator, Poor Wiring Connections, and an Improperly Attached Curtain Airbag
The 2012 Buick Enclave has been recalled six times by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Worryingly, half of the recalls are airbag-related.
The most severe of the three airbag recalls addresses a driver’s airbag inflator that may explode upon deployment, resulting in sharp metal fragments possibly striking occupants.
Another airbag recall covers side airbags that may not be properly attached and thus may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The third airbag recall is over side airbags and seat belt pretensioners with poor wiring connections that may cause them to malfunction in a crash.
Failing Liftgates and a Seat Belt Cable That May Easily Break are Among 2012 SUV’s Additional Recalls
Another serious recall for the 2012 Enclave affects a flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the seat. The cable can easily break and thus won’t restrain the passenger. The seat belt cable problem was also the subject of the 2012 Buick Enclave’s sole NHTSA investigation.
Additionally, the 2012 Buick Enclave has a recall for its power liftgate.
Reportedly, the gas struts that hold the gate in place can prematurely wear. When this happens, the liftgate can unexpectedly fall and cause injury.
Lastly, a recall was issued for a problem with the windshield wipers. A build-up of snow and ice can cause the wipers to stop working.
2012 Buick Enclave’s Transmission is the SUV’s Biggest Problem, Causing Slipping and Shuddering
Reliability is not a strong point with the 2012 Buick Enclave’s transmission.
Many owners on popular enthusiast sites like Enclave Forum mention having transmissions that experience slipping and shuddering when changing gears. The issue also prevents drivers from shifting into reverse.
To make matters worse, to fix the problem, the transmission may have to be replaced, with a rebuilt unit ranging from $1,350 to $2,540.
“About a month ago, my 2012 Buick Enclave with 94,000 miles started shuddering around 20 to 60 mph,” says one owner in a thread on Enclave Forum. “In the beginning, it only happened once or twice a day. Now, it happens several times a day.”
To combat the problem, another forum user suggests: “You may have to change the tranny fluid and put some anti-shudder in, unless you are ready to do a rebuild or have the torque converter replaced.”
Owner Complaints Reveal Multiple Problems With Electrical Glitches That Lead to Radios Shutting Down and Dashboards Failing to Illuminate
In addition to transmission problems, some of the over 100 consumer complaints registered with the NHTSA reveal the 2012 Buick Enclave also has serious concerns over its motor. It reportedly suffers from random engine stall and a defective timing belt.
Many owners claim GM knew about the bad timing belt for a while but has not fixed or replaced it.
A defective airbag warning alert is also a common problem for 2012 Enclave owners. Multiple complaints mention the “service airbag” reminder activating at random.
“My owner’s manual says that the airbags will not work properly in a crash with this light staying on,” says one Enclave owner. “It is a safety hazard to myself and my passengers.”
The NHTSA’s owner complaints also reference many different problems that stem from glitch-prone electricals. Drivers report the radio randomly shutting down, dashboard lights falling to illuminate, and turn signals no longer emitting a clicking noise when engaged.
2012 Buick Enclave is a Decent SUV Overall, but Be Diligent Before Buying to Avoid a Possible Headache
The 2012 Buick Enclave is a solid three-row vehicle, offering lots of space, a nice interior, and ranking eighth in midsize SUVs by Vehicle History owners.
Nevertheless, with six recalls and a temperamental transmission, it may be too problematic for some shoppers.
If your heart is set on the 2012 Buick Enclave though, be sure to have a mechanic give it a thorough inspection, and run the VIN number to check that all recall repairs have been performed.
Photos: Buick
