2009 Enclave electrical complaints span battery drain, ignition/ignition-coil failures, dashboard and lighting malfunctions, and fire events. Battery problems are chronic: several owners report parasitic power drain forcing them to run the vehicle every few days to keep it charged, even after dealer diagnostics and battery replacement. One owner discovered water pooling around the battery after seal failure. Multiple owners cite repeated ignition-coil failures—one replaced coils 4 and 2 in late 2015, coil 1 in 2017, then faced coil 3 and 5 failures; another owner had three coils (same side) fail simultaneously. Check-engine lights tied to coil misfire codes (P0304, P0306) are common. Dashboard and infotainment failures include the radio/control panel going blank despite power at the connector, navigation screens going blank (addressed by GM document 237119 via software update), and the park-assist indicator light cycling on intermittently with no stored codes. One owner reported simultaneous warning-light activation (park assist, all-wheel drive, ABS, brake lights) that dealers claimed was safe to ignore. Two owners reported fire events: one vehicle caught fire while parked in a garage at low mileage (GM declined to investigate); another fire originated in a seat. One owner noted a timing-chain wear issue traced to engine control module, addressed by recall 10287.
Failure modes owners describe
Parasitic battery drain
Battery drains even when vehicle is parked and not in use, forcing owners to operate the vehicle every few days to maintain charge.
When: Typically 4 months to several years into ownership
Symptoms owners cite: battery goes dead after inactivity for a few days; parasitic power draw; vehicle unable to start without external charge
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed parasitic drain diagnostics overnight, replaced battery twice in one case, installed upgrades; GM issued service bulletin (not a recall) but no permanent fix offered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin (not a recall) acknowledges parasitic power draw; no systematic fix available
Water intrusion around battery
Seal failure near battery allows water to seep up through underside and accumulate around battery compartment, soaking floor carpeting.
When: Battery is only 2 months old
Symptoms owners cite: battery goes dead; water surrounding battery; soaked undercarpeting and floorboards
Repairs/costs cited: AAA technician noted seal failure near battery; warranty had expired so owner did not pursue dealer repair
Ignition coil failures
Repeated ignition coil failures leading to misfire, hesitation, and sluggish performance. One owner replaced 5 coils over approximately 2 years.
When: One case at unspecified mileage; another at approximately 110,000 miles; recurring pattern over 2-year span
Symptoms owners cite: misfiring; hesitation; sluggish acceleration; check-engine light
Codes mentioned: P0304, P0306
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced coils 4 and 2 (Dec 2015), coil 1 (Oct 2017), then coils 3 and 5; another replaced three coils on same side; plugs also replaced alongside coils
Dashboard and infotainment power loss
Radio and main control panel goes completely blank; navigation/main control panel goes blank intermittently. Power reaches the radio but not through the connector.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: radio completely blank with no display; control panel unresponsive; navigation screen goes blank
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer removed radio, repaired connector for circuit, and reprogrammed unit; GM document 237119 addresses navigation issue; updated software and reprogrammed radio via SPS
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM document 237119 provides TSB for navigation/control panel blank condition
Park-assist indicator light malfunction
Park-assist service indicator light comes on intermittently and repeatedly, with no stored diagnostic codes and no problem found on inspection.
When: Sporadic; one case at approximately 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: park-assist indicator light comes on; light cycles on repeatedly; no codes stored in system
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; light not on at time of service inspection; issue recurs
Multiple warning lights activated simultaneously
Park assist, all-wheel drive, ABS, and brake warning lights activate all at once while driving. Dealer advised restarting vehicle and said it was safe to drive despite multiple warning lights.
When: Three months after ignition coil replacement; low mileage beyond warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: park assist warning light; all-wheel drive warning light; ABS warning light; brake warning light; all activate simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer suggested power cycling vehicle; no further repair documented
Daytime running light and key fob failures
Daytime running lights fail and key fobs cease to function; failures recur multiple times even after repair.
When: Approximately 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: daytime running lights do not operate; key fobs do not function
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and sensor replaced in key fob; bulbs replaced for lights; failures recurred several times
Engine control module-related timing chain wear
Premature timing chain wear attributed to engine control module fault, addressed by manufacturer recall.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: timing chain wear
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair 10287 performed; engine control module reprogrammed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 10287 issued for timing chain wear due to ECM
Battery failure with bad cell
Battery failed prematurely with one or more bad cells, unable to hold charge and requiring frequent jumps.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: battery not holding charge; frequently needs jump start
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced after dealer verification of bad cell
Vehicle fire while parked
Two separate fire events reported: one vehicle caught fire while stationary in a garage at low mileage; another fire originated in the seat.
When: First case at approximately 30,000 miles; second case unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: fire started in right front of vehicle; fire originated in seat; vehicle totaled
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM declined to investigate first fire, stating it is an insurance matter and does not involve manufacturer responsibility
Door lock and latch malfunctions
Rear hatch opens on its own with motor continuously running; driver-side door lock fails to engage; door lock pops up while in park but inside handle remains locked.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: rear hatch opens on its own; motor in lock keeps running; driver-side lock will not work; door lock pops up but inside handle locked; indoor lock becoming difficult
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.