2011 Buick enclave rolls unabated on hills while in gear - drive or reverse. Very hard to control. Requires very quick move from brake to accelerator and "2-foot" driving which is dangerous and wears brakes and transmission. There is no "hill hold" feature and drivetrain provides no resistance. *tr
2011 Buick Enclave powertrain problems
moderate 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 33 powertrain 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 33 powertrain 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.
Among the 14 model years of Buick Enclave in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I was driving down the highway and all of sudden the vehicle jerk back hard and I loss power and stabilize system shut down and could drive no more than 20 mile an hour. It gotten worst that my truck is jerking and shaking.
Codes p0017 and p0008 camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position keeps coming on driving and parked running. Even after replacing the sensor.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2011 Buick Enclave?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 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 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 15,733 and 82,100 miles, with the median around 40,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,733; a quarter make it past 82,100. 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/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.