The check engine light came up on my 2010 Buick enclave cxl approximately 3 months ago (september 2017), however, when I went to get the check engine light diagnosed it turned off. This came back on in october 2017, but because it happened late at night I decided to go to a local autozone and they ran a diagnostic and informed me that it indicated that it was the timing chain and needed to be…
2010 Buick Enclave engine problems
moderate 51 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 51 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Buick Enclave, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 11 model years of Buick Enclave we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 51.
Owners have filed 51 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The timing chains and guides used on this model, as well as some earlier models are drastically undercapable, and subject to stretching at premature times. This can cause a catastrophic engine failure. While some earlier models have been subject to recall, gm has not stepped up to the plate and fixed the issue by redesign. The issue persists, and needs to be addressed. At present, my vehicle is…
I am filing this safety complaint regarding a sudden and dangerous engine failure in a 2010 Buick Enclave CXL purchased from Frankfort Car Outlet on 8/25/2025. On 10/25/2025, while driving on the expressway, the engine suddenly began knocking, lost power, and stalled. This created a serious safety risk to myself and other drivers. The failure occurred only 60 days after purchase and…
I was driving straight on the highway when the engine light came on, the engine started to run very rough, and very shortly thereafter (about one mile) the engine died. The car had to be towed to a mechanic where they found a broken timing chain that caused severe damage to the cylinder head, valves, and camshaft caps and sensors. While it was in for service they did correct recall 14187 front…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 Buick Enclave?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2010 Buick Enclave?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 51 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 43 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 71,000 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 91,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 71,000; a quarter make it past 125,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Buick/Enclave.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.