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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-BUICK-ENCLAVENHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Buick
2009 Buick Enclave problems
The 2009 Buick Enclave has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 220 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2009 Buick Enclave has 220 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 108 complaints, typically surfacing around 74,676 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
1
Critical
7
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Enclave?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average
8 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Buick Enclave? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 108 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,676 mi · ~$700 to fix
powertrain — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 96,442 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 20 owner reports
· tends to show around 84,714 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 16 owner reports
· tends to show around 54,195 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 84,714 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 8 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Enclave· cruise control
Car accelerated on it's own during highway speeds. Was traveling on a 2 lane highway in the desert at 70 MPH in #1 lane, attempting to pass a semi truck, went to the #2 lane increased speed up to 75, let off gas once I was back in #1 lane and my car was at 5 RPM when typically…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Buick enclave. After the vehicle was placed in park, the contact exited the vehicle and heard an abnormal noise. The vehicle rolled back towards the woods. The contact called southtowne Chevrolet (695 bullsboro dr, newnan, ga 30265) and was informed…
While wife was driving her Buick enclave with the kids the power steering pump failed and she narrowly averted being in an accident while trying to turn on an intersection. She was unable to maneuver the vehicle after the pump failed. Vehicle was taken to the dealership and it…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Buick enclave. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The contact stated that he had to increase the amount of effort in order to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer…
Had a problem with your 2009 Buick Enclave?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010
If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.4 out of 10 based on 220 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Buick Enclave has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Buick Enclave?
The 2009 Buick Enclave is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 5.4/10 — around the segment average; 8 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Buick Enclave?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 108 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,676 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Buick Enclave a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 220 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 74,676 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Buick Enclave?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 108 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,676 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 74,676 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Buick Enclave has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Buick Enclave?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 220 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Buick/Enclave.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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