Ask the Car People.SM


Buick Enclave Safety and Safety Equipment

16 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2012 at 8:31 AM

You are in the Buick Enclave Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 2

#7 of 16 Re: enclave lack of hill side assist safety feature [danitalks] by tyro

May 15, 2009 (1:54 am)

Replying to: danitalks (Sep 28, 2007 5:52 pm)
The roll back can be very dramatic and indeed can cause a serious accident; it all depends on how steep the hill or incline is. I parked at a Boston Market where there was a fairly steep incline only to find the car moving forward rapidly. I had to slam on the brake and I did panic based on how fast it started rolling forward. Gunning the engine immediately after taking my foot of the brake prevented any roll but I can testify based on my experience that it can be quite dramatic. The week before I had mentioned this issue to the dealer and I was told it was normal but never had I experienced it on an incline steeper than the hill where it usually happens. If something can be done to correct this they should put it into effect. Would I buy the car all over again. CERTAINLY!

#8 of 16 Re: enclave lack of hill side assist safety feature [danitalks] by fireco52

Dec 18, 2010 (9:26 am)

Replying to: danitalks (Sep 28, 2007 5:52 pm)
yes I have the same problem on a 2010 enclave

#9 of 16 Re: enclave lack of hill side assist safety feature [tyro] by jjr12

Aug 04, 2012 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: tyro (May 15, 2009 1:54 am)
I have just purchased a 2011 Enclave and have the same problem. It is Absolutely a safety issue to the point, I can't let anyone else drive my car. If you stop at a light and there is an incline either forward or backwards, and you take your foot off the break, you will roll back and continue roll according to the incline. If you park on an incline and there is a cliff in front of you, you better know how to 2 foot it or your in big trouble. It's like driving a standard on a hill with a clutch. Clearly a safety issue. I have an appointment next week with the dealer. I can imagine what kind of smoke they are going to try to blow up my ass.

#10 of 16 Re: enclave lack of hill side assist safety feature [jjr12] by zman3

Aug 04, 2012 (5:22 pm)

Replying to: jjr12 (Aug 04, 2012 5:02 pm)
I have a 2011 as well. Love it. Ours will roll back but what I don't understand is how it is a safety issue. Keep your foot on the brake. If you take your foot off, use the accelerator. If you take your foot off the brake, start rolling, and then do nothing about it, you kind of have yourself to blame.

#11 of 16 Re: enclave lack of hill side assist safety feature [jjr12] by gmcustsvcsarah

Aug 04, 2012 (6:06 pm)

Replying to: jjr12 (Aug 04, 2012 5:02 pm)
Keep us posted on the progress of your visit at the dealership! If we can look into anything, please contact us at socialmediagm.com
Sarah, GM Customer

#12 of 16 Re: enclave lack of hill side assist safety feature [danitalks] by kirkaliciasmom

Aug 05, 2012 (3:18 pm)

Replying to: danitalks (Sep 21, 2007 7:42 pm)
Hi, I purchased my 2012 Enclave just over a month ago and have noticed how the car rolls when in the driveway (slight incline) when in drive and my foot is off the brake. I consider this a huge safety concern. I could imagine driving in SF, what potential problems ( wreaks) I could have. This is very scary hearing about this problem from other Enclave owners. I have notified the dealership I bought it at and will be setting up a service appt later in the week.

#13 of 16 Re: enclave lack of hill side assist safety feature [kirkaliciasmom] by gmcustsvcsarah

Aug 06, 2012 (10:23 am)

Replying to: kirkaliciasmom (Aug 05, 2012 3:18 pm)
All the best during your appointment this week, kirkaliciasmom. Please keep us posted on your progress!
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#14 of 16 Re: enclave lack of hill side assist safety feature [zman3] by mtndriver1

Nov 27, 2012 (3:30 pm)

Replying to: zman3 (Aug 04, 2012 5:22 pm)
Hey Z-Man, Really? If you don't see a safety issue, it's because in your world all conditions are perfect and everyone drives just like you. No safety issues exist: if the person driving has been told that the car will roll, and if that person acts fast enough, or if the driver behind is not extremely close, and if the car is not in stop and go up-hill traffic, then no safety issues exist.
But WAIT! What about the two year old who does not know that the car will roll back, and neither does his daddy who is driving but is not the owner? What happens when Daddy takes his foot off the accelerator and does not get his foot to the brake in time... That is reality. We do not live in a perfect world, so it is important that vehicles operate in a predictable, safe way. Rolling backwards while in drive is very, very, unsafe in our imperfect world.

#15 of 16 Buick Enclave should be RECALLED for rolling! by mtndriver1

Nov 27, 2012 (4:03 pm)

My 2011 Enclave will roll backwards for at least 15 feet on a hillside while in drive, and will go a few inches to a foot while trying to park if there is any incline at all. This would not a problem, I suppose, if you live in Kansas or Florida and your driveway does not have a slant. The first time this happens it is startling to say the least. I live in Colorado and driving in the Rocky Mountains can be challenging for even those of us who are good at it. Picture after-ski traffic on ice packed roads, heading up to the Eisenhower tunnel to 12,000 ft, in stop and go traffic at the end of the day. A manual shift is not easy, but predictable. My Enclave rolling quickly backwards, unless I put my left foot on the brake before I take the right foot off the brake, is not a normal or predictable way for an automatic transmission to perform.
THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR! Buick knows it is dangerous and has altered the 2012 models to have "hill assist". But there is no recall for those of us stuck with dangerous cars. I have to warn my family and friends about the rolling before letting anyone else drive! No one can believe that such a nice vehicle has this problem, until they return with a "WOW, that's really Bad" after driving it.
I hope Buick will fix this safety issue, before people are killed (it's a miracle if no one has been). As for me, having spent close to $50,000 for this luxury SUV, I cannot keep it if it's dangerous and not fixable. Sadly, it looks like my Enclave is morphing into a Lexus or Audi. I wanted an American car, but I want a safe car even more.

#16 of 16 Re: Buick Enclave should be RECALLED for rolling! [mtndriver1] by gmcustsvc

Nov 28, 2012 (8:31 am)

Replying to: mtndriver1 (Nov 27, 2012 4:03 pm)
Good morning mtndriver1,
 
I can certainly appreciate, given your description here, why you are concerned about the way that the vehicle will roll if stopped on an incline. I checked the manual and see that this is normal and is due to the torque converter designed to improve fuel economy and performance.
 
If you wanted for us to check into this to see if there is any thing we can do (although I cannot make any promises up front), please email us at socialmediagm.com with more information (including your name and contact information, the last 8 digits of your VIN and mileage, the name of your preferred dealership, and a brief recap of the situation).
 
Sarah, GM Customer Service

Messages Page 2 of 2

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement