Buick Enclave Best and Worst Years

Recalls and crash-test ratings for every model year from 2008 to 2026, from official NHTSA data.

Model yearsData retrieved By Sources & methodology

Short answer

Among Buick Enclave model years through 2024, 2018, 2023 and 2024 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2009 has the most (8). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.

Quick read

Buick Enclave: Key Facts

Model years with data
19 (2008–2026)
Distinct recall campaigns
29
Fewest recalls
2018, 2023 and 2024 (0)
Most recalls
2009 (8)
Most recalled system
Air bags (32)
5-star overall rating
2011, 2012, 2013 and 8 more years

Buick Enclave Recalls and Ratings by Model Year

Buick Enclave — NHTSA recall campaigns and overall crash rating, model years 2008–2026
Model yearRecall campaignsOverall crash ratingMost recalled systems
2026 Recent: still collecting recalls 1 Not rated Equipment
2025 Recent: still collecting recalls 0 Not rated None on record
2024 0 4–5 stars None on record
2023 0 4–5 stars None on record
2022 1 4–5 stars Air bags
2021 2 5 stars Air bags
2020 6 5 stars Tires, Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline
2019 1 5 stars Power train
2018 0 5 stars None on record
2017 3 5 stars Air bags
2016 4 5 stars Air bags, Seats, Visibility
2015 5 5 stars Air bags, Tires
2014 7 5 stars Air bags, Electrical system, Power train
2013 4 5 stars Air bags, Seat belts
2012 6 5 stars Air bags, Seat belts, Structure
2011 6 5 stars Air bags, Seat belts, Structure
2010 6 Not rated Air bags, Seat belts, Structure
2009 8 Not rated Seat belts, Air bags, Electrical system
2008 6 Not rated Air bags, Electrical system, Structure

The scale of the difference

Recall Campaigns by Model Year

Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.

  1. 20261 recall
  2. 20250 recalls
  3. 20240 recalls
  4. 20230 recalls
  5. 20221 recall
  6. 20212 recalls
  7. 20206 recalls
  8. 20191 recall
  9. 20180 recalls
  10. 20173 recalls
  11. 20164 recalls
  12. 20155 recalls
  13. 20147 recalls
  14. 20134 recalls
  15. 20126 recalls
  16. 20116 recalls
  17. 20106 recalls
  18. 20098 recalls
  19. 20086 recalls

Buick Enclave: Analysis

How to read recall counts

A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.

What the recalls were about

Across all model years, the systems named most often in Buick Enclave recalls are air bags (32), seat belts (9), structure (6), electrical system (5) and power train (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.

Crash-test ratings

NHTSA has an overall star rating for 14 of these 19 model years, and 2011, 2012, 2013 and 8 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.

FAQ: Buick Enclave Best and Worst Years

What are the best years for the Buick Enclave?

By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2018, 2023 and 2024 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.

Which Buick Enclave model years have the most recalls?

2009 has the most, with 8 recall campaigns each.

Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?

No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.

Sources & methodology

Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Enclave", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.

NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by . Editorial policy