This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
View on NHTSA →2012 Buick Enclave body problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 21 body complaints filed for the 2012 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
Among the 9 model years of Buick Enclave in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 body 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 service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
View on NHTSA →This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
View on NHTSA →This service bulletin provides information on Paintless Dent Repair Process.
View on NHTSA →This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint cluster centers on rear liftgate strut failure, with owners reporting that the hatchback suddenly collapses or slams shut—sometimes striking occupants in the head and causing bruising. Failures occur between 44,000 and 123,000 miles, with most clustering in the 50,000–105,000 range. The gate falls whether stationary or in use, with or without power operation active. Some owners heard clicking from the strut before total failure.
NHTSA Campaign 15V415000 (Structure) targets this exact failure, but many owners report their VINs were excluded from recall coverage despite exhibiting identical symptoms. Those who received recall notices faced months-long delays because replacement struts were unavailable. Several owners also reported that dealers attempted only sensor or software repositioning rather than actual strut replacement, and the gate continued failing immediately after repair.
Beyond the liftgate issue, one owner reported a sharp protruding door-frame corner that lacerated his leg three times in a year, and another documented loud rattling and ticking from the windshield corner area at startup. A single unrelated complaint cited power loss and hesitation during acceleration with momentary check engine illumination that a local mechanic couldn't diagnose.
Same Buick Enclave body reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Liftgate/hatchback collapses or slams shut unintentionally
Rear liftgate opens normally but suddenly falls or slams shut without user input, sometimes striking people nearby. Occurs both when stationary and while in use. Happens with both power and manual operation.
When: 44,000–123,000 miles; most common 50,000–105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate falls or slams down suddenly after being opened; Liftgate closes independently while people are retrieving items; Clicking sound from rear liftgate strut prior to failure; Hatchback fails to remain open; Liftgate strikes occupants, causing bruising and head injuries
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers diagnosed faulty liftgate struts; replacement parts were unavailable for extended periods. Some owners reported dealer attempted only software/sensor repositioning per NHTSA Campaign 15V415000 instead of strut replacement, yet failures recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 15V415000 (Structure) addresses liftgate strut failure; however, many owners' VINs were not included in recall scope despite identical symptoms. Some owners received recall notices but parts were not available for months. Dealers attempted software/sensor updates as primary remedy instead of strut replacement in at least one case.
Liftgate strut mechanical failure
Gas struts that support the liftgate in the open position fracture or weaken, causing inability to hold the liftgate up or automatic slamming.
When: 50,000–87,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate fails to remain open and falls; Struts make clicking or abnormal noise when opening liftgate; Fractured struts unable to support liftgate weight
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers identified faulty gas struts as root cause; replacement struts needed but unavailable for extended periods after recall notice issued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V415000 (Structure) recall issued; GM attempted sensor/software repositioning as fix, but owners reported strut replacement was the actual needed repair.
Door edge design causes leg laceration
Driver-side door frame design has protruding bottom corner that extends beyond the door edge, striking and cutting occupant's leg when closing door.
When: Occurred three times in first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Bottom corner of door protrudes approximately three inches from door face; Door edge cuts leg when closing door; Repeated lacerations drawing blood through clothing
Rattling and ticking sounds from windshield area
Loud abnormal rattling and ticking noise originating from corner between front passenger side and windshield at startup.
When: 129,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud abnormal rattling sound from windshield corner area upon vehicle startup; Ticking noise from same location; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired; cause unknown.
Loss of power and hesitation during acceleration
Vehicle loses motive power and hesitates when accelerating; check engine light illuminates momentarily then extinguishes. Local mechanic unable to diagnose cause.
When: 118,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of motive power while driving at various speeds; Hesitation when depressing accelerator pedal; Check engine warning light momentarily illuminated during failure
Repairs/costs cited: Local mechanic unable to determine cause; vehicle not taken to dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no assistance provided.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Buick enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v415000 (structure) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Buick enclave. The contact stated that the liftgate independently closed on the back of an occupant. There were no injuries. The failure occurred without warning. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was remedied per NHTSA campaign number: 15v415000 (structure). The contact was informed that the liftgate struts were repositioned instead of having the software updated as…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Buick enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v415000 (structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Buick enclave. While the liftgate door was opened, it suddenly fell down and struck the contact. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the liftgate door struts were faulty. The contact received the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v415000 (structure) in august of 2015. The contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the…
The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he would hear loud abnormal rattling and ticking sounds coming from the corner between the front passenger’s side and the windshield. There were no warnings lights were illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate…
Had body trouble with your 2012 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 body problem on the 2012 Buick Enclave?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 65,100 and 118,000 miles, with the median around 96,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,100; a quarter make it past 118,000. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2012/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.