This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Buick Enclave airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Buick Enclave have filed 34 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 60,140 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Enclave | 94 |
| 2009 Enclave | 8 |
| 2010 Enclave | 3 |
| 2011 Enclave (this page) | 34 |
| 2012 Enclave | 20 |
| 2013 Enclave | 7 |
| 2014 Enclave | 196 |
| 2015 Enclave | 102 |
9crashes
1fire
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 34 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 Buick Enclave, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Owners have filed 34 airbags 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.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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 airbags 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 technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗15536 - SPECIAL COVERAGE. CERTAIN 2008 2013 BUICK ENCLAVE, 2008-2013 GMC ACADIA, 2008-2010 SATURN OUTLOOK, AND 2009-2013 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES WERE RECALLED TO ADDRESS CORROSION AND/OR LOOSE CRIMPS IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER-SEAT MOUNTED SIDE-IMPACT AIRBAG (SIAB) WIRING-HARNESS CONNECTORS, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN INCREASE IN RESISTANCE THAT MAY DISABLE THE SIAB, FRONT-CENTER AIRBAG, IF EQUIPPED, AND SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONERS. GM HAS RECEIVED REPORTS THAT, IN SOME CASES, THE REQUIRED REPAIR MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY PERFORMED BY THE DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN. THE GM RECALL NUMBER WAS N14030 (GFPE NUMBER N-140030) NHTSA RECALL 14V118. DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE SECTION OF THE WIRE WITH THE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BUICK/GMC/SATURN/CHEVROLET: TSB CONTAINS AN OWNER'S NOTIFICATION LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. SOME VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING, ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG (SIAB) WIRING HARNESS CONNECTORS, LOOSE OR CORRODED CRIMPS, THAT IS CAUSING RESISTANCE THAT CAN DISABLE FRONT CENTER AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS. MODEL 2008-13 ENCLAVE, OUTLOOK, TRAVERSE, ACADIA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2011 Buick Enclave describe a two-part airbag problem. First, the service airbag warning light turns on frequently—sometimes at startup, sometimes when the seat is adjusted, sometimes for no apparent reason—and doesn't stay fixed. Multiple owners report the same warning returning after dealer repair, forcing them back into the shop five, six, even ten times for the same issue. Dealers have replaced the airbag coil, wiring harnesses, modules, and the entire control computer, yet the light persists. One owner paid nearly $2,000 to address what they believed was a manufacturer defect but found no active recall.
Second, owners report catastrophic failures where airbags do not deploy during actual crashes. At least five narratives describe collisions at 40–50 mph—head-on impacts, side impacts, and rear-enders—in which no airbags fired, leaving occupants injured with fractured ribs, torn rotator cuffs, knee injuries, and soft-tissue damage. One vehicle caught fire after hitting a deer at 56,000 miles with airbags silent. Owners note that post-crash dealer inspection found nothing wrong and ODB scans showed no fault codes, complicating both diagnosis and accountability. A major recall (14V118000) was issued in 2014, but many owners report either not receiving notice or being told repairs won't be covered post-recall unless prior defects can be proved.
Same Buick Enclave airbags reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2012 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Service Airbag Warning Light—Intermittent or Persistent Illumination
Dashboard warning light activates, often repeatedly or intermittently, without any crash or abnormal vehicle event. Light may turn on at startup, disappear, and recur days or weeks later. Some owners report the light stays on continuously during operation.
When: Typically 50k–150k miles, but reported as early as 1k miles and at low mileage after used purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; Warning light returns after dealer repair; Intermittent on/off cycling of warning light; Warning light triggered by seat adjustment, small road bumps, or no identifiable cause
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of airbag coil, wiring harness with soldered connections, airbag module, computer/control module, and sensor replacement. Costs range from $145 diagnostic to $200+ for repair, with one full airbag system repair at $1,988 (under $2,000 quoted).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 14V118000 (Airbags) issued 3/31/2014. Some owners report TSB 15536 referenced after repair. GM claimed no responsibility for repairs post-recall or outside recall scope; dealers refuse to cover repairs if previous recall work cannot be traced.
Airbag Non-Deployment in Moderate-to-Severe Crashes
Airbags fail to deploy during crashes with sufficient force to warrant deployment (speeds 40–50 mph, head-on and side-impact collisions, rear-end collisions). Injuries reported range from soft-tissue damage to fractures and hospital admission.
When: Occurred at various mileages (23k, 56k, and higher); timing not predictable from narrative data
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy on frontal impact at highway speeds (40–50 mph); Airbags do not deploy on side-impact collision; Airbags do not deploy on rear-end collision; Red airbag indicator light illuminates after crash; Occupant injuries: head, neck, shoulder, rib fractures, torn rotator cuff, knee injuries, soft-tissue bruising, dental injury
Codes mentioned: No DTC codes recorded in some cases per ODB scan
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempts documented for non-deployment failures. Vehicles towed post-crash; dealer inspection found nothing wrong in at least one case. One vehicle destroyed in fire; one suffered $12,300 damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Claim filed with GM Central Claims Unit in one case; investigation ongoing with EDR/SDM data downloaded by Bosch software and turned over to GM investigators. NHTSA campaign 14V118000 referenced in at least one non-deployment complaint.
Passenger-Seat Occupancy Sensor or Wiring Malfunction
Service airbag warning light activates for passenger side despite no occupant present, or warning is triggered by cell phone proximity. In one case, seat adjuster movement repeatedly triggers the warning.
When: Reported at low mileage (1k miles on used purchase) and throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning light and seat belt warning light activate when passenger seat is empty; Warning indicators sound intermittently and clear on their own; Service airbag message appears when passenger seat is adjusted; Service airbag warning triggered by cell phone in proximity to passenger seat
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostics identified wiring harness issue with cord under seat not long enough for seat adjustment. No repairs completed in narratives provided; owners sought approval or attempted repair outside warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer told owner cord connector inadequacy was known; reference to recall tailgate work as opportunity to fix airbag issue suggests potential TSB or known design issue.
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Air bag light kept coming on. Love Buick, columbia sc replaced module. Several days later air bag light came on again with a message " service airbag ". Above dealer now has this vehicle in service and says they need to keep it several days for more diagnostics. *tr
This vehicle has only about 55,000 miles and was purchased used. It underwent the major recall gm had for defective airbags in 2014. The airbag light came on again while the vehicle was on motion and has been intermittently on and off. The dealer wants $145 for diagnostics and gm will not cover under previous recall unless we prove there was a defect with the previous recall parts. Of course gm…
Airbag light keeps coming on and going off
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Buick enclave. The contact stated that the warning light illuminated, which indicated that the air bag needed servicing. When the vehicle was diagnosed, the mechanic stated that the air bag coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000. Updated 02/12/16*lj the vehicle was repaired…
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 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 airbags problem on the 2011 Buick Enclave?
It's a meaningful issue. 34 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 36,623 and 98,500 miles, with the median around 60,140. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,623; a quarter make it past 98,500. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2011/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.