This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Buick Enclave powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2010 Buick Enclave have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 80,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Enclave | 119 |
| 2009 Enclave | 23 |
| 2010 Enclave (this page) | 22 |
| 2011 Enclave | 33 |
| 2012 Enclave | 12 |
| 2013 Enclave | 10 |
| 2014 Enclave | 19 |
When does it fail?
Of the 22 powertrain complaints filed for the 2010 Buick Enclave, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Buick Enclave powertrain shows multiple converging failure patterns documented in these 22 complaints.
Timing chain failure is the most consistent issue, occurring between 75,000 and 106,000 miles. The chain stretches or breaks, triggering check engine lights and power loss on highways. Owners report $2,000–$2,500 repair costs requiring engine removal. Critically, GM extended powertrain warranty coverage for 2008–2009 models with identical parts but refused to cover 2010 models. One owner paid $2,000 out-of-pocket for a timing chain replacement at 75,477 miles, then faced the same failure again at 95,000 miles with dealer offering only 25% discount.
Transmission power loss and slippage occur during highway merging and acceleration—gas pedal does nothing despite high RPM, or transmission slips completely. One owner's vehicle lost all speed while merging onto the interstate; a state patrol officer stated he sees this monthly on Enclaves and Chevy Traverses. Dealers cannot reproduce or fix the problem.
Backward rollback on inclines happens repeatedly when stopped on grades. Owners report the vehicle rolls backward in Drive gear when foot is lifted off brake. A dealership attributed this to transmission design lacking anti-rollback features for fuel economy. This started as early as 7,000 miles, indicating design rather than wear.
Intermittent electrical faults cause simultaneous warning lights (check engine, ABS, traction), brake feel loss, and system shutdown—creating dangerous highway situations that dealers cannot diagnose or repair. One vehicle was held at the dealer for 2.5 weeks unrepaired; the problem recurred within 12 hours of pickup.
Same Buick Enclave powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Timing Chain Failure
The timing chain stretches, slips, or breaks, causing engine power loss, permanent or intermittent check engine light, and in severe cases engine shutdown while driving. Owners report this occurs as early as 75,000–106,000 miles. The 2008–2009 Enclave models received extended powertrain warranty coverage for this issue; 2010 models with identical or near-identical parts do not qualify. Repairs require engine removal and cost $2,000–$2,500. One owner experienced a stretched timing chain at 75,477 miles (repaired under dealer courtesy, partial cost-sharing), then recurrence at 95,000 miles; another had stretching at 78,000 miles with multiple dealer visits and no repair completion.
When: 75,000–106,000 miles; 22 months after prior timing chain repair in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on (intermittent or permanent); Loss of engine power on highway, especially during merging or acceleration; Hesitation during acceleration; Engine shutdown while in motion
Codes mentioned: P0008, P0017, P0009
Repairs/costs cited: Engine removal required; approximately 21 hours labor at $68/hour plus parts; estimate $2,000–$2,500. Repair warranty typically 1 year/12,000 miles; subsequent failures outside this window receive partial courtesy discounts only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2008–2009 models covered under extended powertrain warranty service bulletin; no extended coverage offered for 2010 model year despite identical/similar parts. GM escalated one case but no resolution documented. Some dealers offer partial cost-sharing as courtesy.
Transmission Slippage and Power Loss
The transmission loses full engagement under acceleration, causing the vehicle to not accelerate despite high RPM and engine response. The issue occurs on highway entrance ramps and during merging. One owner reports loss of speed despite RPM rising to 3,500, making highway entry dangerous. State patrol officer stated he sees this issue monthly with this model and the Chevy Traverse. Owners perceive this as a known transmission design flaw related to fuel economy optimization and lack of anti-rollback feature.
When: Varying conditions; one case at highway merge attempt
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration despite gas pedal input or high RPM; Loss of speed on highway despite engine response; Transmission does not shift normally; Vehicle unable to merge into traffic safely; Check engine light and traction stability service light illumination during episodes
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed in narratives; one vehicle held at dealer for 2.5 weeks without resolution. Dealers unable to reproduce issue consistently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in complaints. Dealers unable to identify hard faults; treat history codes as non-actionable.
Transmission Backward Rollback on Incline
Vehicle rolls backward while stopped on slight to moderate inclines despite transmission in Drive and brake released or foot off accelerator. Dealer attributed this to transmission design (no anti-rollback feature for MPG improvement). Multiple owners report this as a known design flaw in 2010–2011 Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Chevy Traverse. Early occurrence (one case at 7,000 miles) suggests design defect rather than wear-out. Owners note this is a safety hazard when stopped in traffic on grade.
When: Early in vehicle life (7,000 miles documented); occurs whenever vehicle stopped on incline
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward while stopped on incline despite in Drive gear; No hold on grade without strong brake pressure; Risk of striking vehicle behind; Occurs repeatedly whenever on incline
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership stated no repairs needed, calling backward roll 'the nature of the vehicle.' No repairs documented in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this is a design feature related to fuel economy optimization and transmission lacks anti-rollback feature common to most automatics. No recall or TSB issued; no manufacturer assistance documented.
Multiple Gauge, Light, and System Failures—Possible Electrical Fault
While driving, all warning lights illuminate simultaneously (check engine, traction stability service, ABS), gauges fail, AC shuts off, cruise control power loss, transmission will not shift or accelerate, and brakes feel unresponsive ('mushy'). Systems fail in sequence and restart one at a time. The condition is intermittent and dangerous—occurred during highway merge and interstate entrance, creating life-threatening traffic hazard. Dealer held vehicle 2.5 weeks, found history codes (not hard faults), could not reproduce issue, and returned vehicle unrepaired. Problem recurred within 12 hours.
When: July 2012 in described case; multiple occurrences over 2–3 days
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light, traction stability service light, and ABS warning light all illuminate simultaneously without warning; All gauges fail; AC system shuts off; Cruise control power loss; Transmission will not shift or accelerate normally; Brakes feel 'mushy' and unresponsive; Vehicle unable to merge safely; speed drops from 30 to 20 mph; Systems restart sequentially without driver input
Codes mentioned: History codes (not hard codes) present; specific codes not detailed by owner
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle held at dealer 2.5 weeks without repair diagnosis or completion. Dealer stated codes are history only, not actionable hard faults.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response. Dealer instructed owner to return if problem recurs (which it did within 12 hours). Vehicle not yet repaired per narrative end.
Rod Bearing Failure / Engine Seizure
Engine develops a spun rod bearing and quits completely while vehicle in motion. Engine loss causes loss of power steering and full vehicle shutdown. Owner reports previous timing chain stretch 22 months prior at significant cost. Despite consistent oil changes every 5,000 miles or less using synthetic oil, the engine still failed. Owner attributes this to design or manufacturing defect, noting same failure pattern in other 2008–2010 model years.
When: 116,164 miles; 22 months after timing chain repair at 93,764 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine seizure while driving; Loss of power steering; Complete engine shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle total loss per owner; prior timing chain repair cost $2,000 out-of-pocket.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Accelerator/Throttle Control Malfunction
Accelerator sticks or becomes unresponsive; gas pedal drops to floor with no power response, or RPMs increase while braking. Issues have been intermittent since early mileage (29,000 miles). One complaint cites throttle-position sensor malfunction. When accelerating to enter highway, transmission slips and engine loses all power.
When: Starting at 29,000 miles; vehicle at 69,000 miles in described case
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal drops to floor with no power or acceleration; Transmission slips during highway merge acceleration; Engine loses all power during acceleration; Accelerator sticks; car accelerates or RPMs increase while braking; Intermittent failures over months/years of ownership
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Door Lock and Gauge Electrical Glitches
Door locks cycle up and down; gauges behave erratically; transmission downshifts unexpectedly; engine does not die. Issues occur at varying speeds and conditions, then resolve when vehicle pulled over, only to recur later. Suggests intermittent electrical fault.
When: Unspecified timing
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks cycle up and down repeatedly; Gauges function erratically; Transmission downshifts without driver input; Symptoms resolve when vehicle stopped but recur during driving
Repairs/costs cited: None documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
2010 Buick enclave with 116,164 miles, just over 10,00 per year, engine developed a spun rod bearing and quit while driving. Steering lost power and engine stopped. I had to push it backwards to get out of an intersection. I had just started a right turn. 22 month earlier the timing chain stretched on the vehicle costing $2000 in repairs. Oil was changed every 5000 or less miles and used…
My check engine light came on last week. I took my 2010 Buick enclave (82,400 miles) to the local dealer from whom I purchased the car certified pre-owned about 20 months ago. They tell me that the timing chain is worn and must be replaced - an extremely expensive repair that should not be needed on a car with 82,000 miles. Since the manufacturer's warranty only covered it to 5-yrs/100k miles, it…
I own a 2010 BMW.the cruise cont. Has been changed for 2010 & in my opinion is a safety hazard.no failures-no accidents-yet. Standard feature of 2010 BMW 3, 4, 1, series & perhaps all (manual transmissions) is the cruise control does not disengage when the clutch pedal is depressed. This is a new feature for the 2010 models. It has always disengaged by pressing the clutch or brake, and…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2010 Buick Enclave?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 39,574 and 106,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 39,574; a quarter make it past 106,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.