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Buick Enclave Owners Give Us Your Report

273 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 1:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? Buick Enclave, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 27 of 28

#253 of 273 Disappointed with Buick Enclave (aka Lemon) by rjluke

Jun 22, 2012 (1:41 pm)

I have a 2008 Buick Enclave with 55,000 miles on it. I bought the vehicle used with about 32,000 miles. I have never been so disappointed with a vehicle in my life. I bought it because I liked the styling, but should have given it more thought. It has been a disaster from the get go.
 
To start with, the overall quality of the vehicle is extremely poor. There is a very loud whistling noise right behind the driver's head when driving on the highway. It is very pronounced when there is a cross wind coming from the passenger side of the vehicle. I would expect a vehicle in this price range to have a nice quiet cabin. The vehicle itself makes all kinds of strange popping and clanging sounds when it is started up. It seems as if something is going to fall off of the vehicle or blow apart at any time.
 
The transmission is tuned so poorly that the vehicle is tremendously unresponsive. When you step on the gas it seems to hesitate and then makes a strange whirring noise when it finally decides to go. This beast is not fun to drive.
 
Blind spots in the rear from the very small window are frustrating. When the DVD screen is folded down there is zero visibility from behind. The front support columns around the windshield create large blindspots as well. It's difficult to see approaching traffic while stopped at in intersection.
 
The above items are mere annoyances compared to maintenance issues with this vehicle. In addition to numerous smaller maintenance issues that had to be fixed in the shop, in the short time I've had it, the power steering pump failed and had to be replaced and now the evaporator for the A/C has failed. I'm looking at $2000 for out of warranty repair. It's 90 degrees outside and I have to cram my family into our little sedan to go somewhere because the Buick doesn't have any A/C.
 
Needless to say, I'm going to sell the Buick ASAP and buy something else. I had a Honda Pilot prior to the Buick and it was a GREAT vehicle. I got what I thought was a good deal on the Enclave and now I regret ever having bought it.
 
Bottom line, the vehicle looks great, but it is of very poor quality and extremely unreliable. GM really botched this one. I will never buy a Buick again. My next vehicle will be a Toyota or Honda.

#254 of 273 Re: Disappointed with Buick Enclave (aka Lemon) [rjluke] by gmcustsvcsarah

Jun 22, 2012 (4:09 pm)

Replying to: rjluke (Jun 22, 2012 1:41 pm)
Good evening,
It looks as though you have decided to sell your Enclave, and I had wanted to express my apologies that you have encountered so many concerns with this vehicle. I wish you the best as you pursue other vehicles, but if in the meantime you would like for us to look into anything further, please send us more information (including the last 8 digits of your VIN, your name, and Edmunds username) at socialmediagm.com.
All the best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#255 of 273 Dead battery again by wfarrah

Jun 23, 2012 (6:57 pm)

Had my Enclave serviced 2 weeks ago ($1500).
It sat idle in the driveway until today. When I tried to start it -- DEAD BATTERY!!!!!!
 
I had the battery replaced and the computer reprogrammed for a parasitic battery drain last year after continually having this problem and finally calling the tow truck to pick it up after every event.
 
Now again!!!!
 
Any suggestions?

#256 of 273 Re: Dead battery again [wfarrah] by kcorey

Jun 24, 2012 (11:57 am)

Replying to: wfarrah (Jun 23, 2012 6:57 pm)
Take a look at Enclaveforum.net for some good advice on this. This is not an unusual happening but one that is easy to correct and avoid. I owned my '08 for 4 years and never had a dead battery, even after leaving it parked for almost a month when I went on vacation...in the winter. Take a look at the forum I mentioned.

#257 of 273 Re: Disappointed with Buick Enclave (aka Lemon) [rjluke] by kcorey

Jun 24, 2012 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: rjluke (Jun 22, 2012 1:41 pm)
It's a shame that you're having so much trouble with your '08. I too had an '08, but mine was trouble-free and a pleasure to own and drive. I leased mine for 48 months and had about 36,000 miles on it and aways GM serviced. (I replaced it with another GM car)
Now, what does this mean? First off, cars are machines...nothing more. Most are very good, but sometimes things go wrong, either by manufacture or by operation and maintenance. Take a good look at the way some people "drive". Cars are just not made to be operated this way, regardless of their price tag. Next is the service. Sure, you can "service" (change the oil, filter, etc.) yourself, but why? The GM dealer is better trained, and equipped, to do this (or at least, should be). Finally, and most importantly, you bought a "used" (or "previously owned") vehicle. You probably have no real idea of how the previous owner handled the car. Did he service it at all? Did he try to run the guts out of it? Was it a "flood" car? Forget about tracing the previous ownership, anyone can phony that up.
Try going to the GM Customer Service for some help. And good luck.
Oh, and maybe your Honda (or Toyota, or whatever) was a good car...but if you have a problem, they don't want to know who you are!

#258 of 273 2010 Buick Enclave horrible by michellegrant

Jul 02, 2012 (9:17 pm)

This is the worst car I have purchased. I started to have issues with this vehicle last year. 1.) I took it to Dutton Motors for the air bag notification light coming up. I was told they didn’t know was wrong and it seem to be fine. Due to several poor service experiences I stopped going to Dutton. I started going to Lake Elsinore Buick and had good service. 2.) I took my car in for the same air bag notification problem. They identified the problem and held my car to fix it. I was contacted to pick up my car, but when I arrived I was told it was not completely fixed and they had to order another part. The dealer let me drive off the lot with a major safety concern. It took over a week or two for the part to come in, I brought the car in for the repair to be completed. 3.) About 3 weeks ago I brought my car in for an oil change and after I made the appointment, the airbag light came on again. I informed the service advisor (Chris) at the time and he said that he would look into it while the car was in the back getting the oil changed. Chris informed me that I cannot drive the car due to the major safety concern and they would get me a rental. WOW, I was surprised since another service advisor let me drive off the lot before with a major safety issue! 4.) 6/28/2012- my car breaks down while I am driving into work in the middle of a intersection where I almost hit a light pole. The breaks went out, steering, etc., I had to use all of my might to avoid hitting the light pole. I prayed that I would coast to safe spot not to be hit. I did, thank God! I had the car towed from Loma Linda to Lake Elsinore. I received no call from the dealer and it had been about 3 hours since the car was towed. I called and spoke with Denise. She said they do not know what is wrong specifically, but indicated it was a major engine issue and would let me know the next day and offered a rental car for this major safety concern. 6/29/2012- about ˝ the day went by and again I had to call for an update. I spoke with Denise and she indicated that I a “rod blew” and I needed the engine to be replaced. She then asked me where I took the car prior to 18k miles since they have no service records. I explained to her that I took it to Dutton in Riverside and their service was poor so I started to come here. I further indicated all my records are uploaded on Buick.com (I see they are not in the system now). I asked her how could this happen? She indicated lack of lubrication or some other reason.. I called later and spoke with Chris (Denise was gone for the day) and I asked did the tech identify how old the oil was? Was it fresh? Dirty? Chris said he was back there when they checked the oil and said it was fresh. My opinion was at the time, they forgot to do the oil change and that is what blew the rod. I can’t prove it but it seems strange to have an engine replaced after 2 yrs and 3mths of owning a car. I asked to speak with the GM of the dealership was transferred to operator voice mail. I also sent an on-line inquiry and no response as of today 7/2/2012. In my opinion, I am a good candidate for “SONG-BEVERLY WARRANTY RIGHTS”. These are all major safety issues. I may be getting a new motor, but I have no trust driving my most precious commodity, my children! The car value will now depreciate even more. If I want to sell the car, I may have a hard time. Let’s not even mention the liability it places on me when I sell it. I have lost $$ all the way around right now. So disappointed, I am stuck with this “luxury car” as you advertise it….What are you going to do about this!!!!

#259 of 273 Re: Endless Buick Enclave Issues [dkr1] by pj08

Jul 03, 2012 (3:37 pm)

Replying to: dkr1 (Jun 21, 2012 7:43 am)
I too am having endless issues. Purchased new Nov 2008. Not even 4 years old yet. Have had two power steering pumps, endless passenger airbag issues, mysterious AC/Freon issues (can't find a leak with dye but getting freon charges every 6 months!) etc. Loved the look of the vehicle. Paid cash for it and wish I hadn't. Just got it back from dealer today for second PS pump in less than 2 years. 65k miles (first pump replaced at 39k). They were oh so sorry nothing was covered and there was nothing they could do for me. I guess Buick expects their fuel pump to go out. They weren't the least bit surprised or supportive of taking care of the issue "outside of warranty". I can't dump this thing fast enough. Buy american? Not the way THIS thing is built!

#260 of 273 Re: 2010 Buick Enclave horrible [michellegrant] by gmcustsvcsarah

Jul 12, 2012 (10:28 am)

Replying to: michellegrant (Jul 02, 2012 9:17 pm)
Good afternoon michellegrant,
 
I apologize that this response did not come to you sooner - do you have any updates on the progress of your repair?
 
Kind regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#261 of 273 Re: Endless Buick Enclave Issues [pj08] by gmcustsvcsarah

Jul 12, 2012 (10:35 am)

Replying to: pj08 (Jul 03, 2012 3:37 pm)
pj08,
 
I'm sorry that you have had so many issues with your Enclave. Do you have any current concerns that you are hoping to have looked into? Let us know if we can be of any assistance.
 
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

Messages Page 27 of 28

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