2013 Buick Enclave problems
The 2013 Buick Enclave has 68 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Buick Enclave has 68 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 12 complaints, typically surfacing around 56,039 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Enclave | 275 | 0 |
| 2011 Enclave | 211 | 0 |
| 2012 Enclave | 132 | 0 |
| 2013 Enclave (this page) | 68 | 0 |
| 2014 Enclave | 291 | 0 |
| 2015 Enclave | 170 | 0 |
| 2016 Enclave | 140 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2013 Buick Enclave? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 56,039 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 51,661 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 83,500 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 67,875 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 56,039 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Buick Enclave
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Buick enclave. The contact stated that the driver side headlamp bulb exploded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The contact was informed that the headlamp bulb needed to be replaced the manufacturer was made aware of the failure.…
After turning off ignition key having placed car in park and appling emergency brake, the ignition key locks in place and cannot be removed from ignition.
The vehicle failed to start on 12/1/14. I called the dealership in san luis obispo, california, and they towed it in. The battery was fine and they told my wife that they could not find anything wrong with it and that it was good to go and they gave it back to her on 12/2/14.…
Lights on the dash board came on while driving in town at approximately 20 MPH indicating AWD, traction control and anti-lock breaks were not working. Power steering also was not working. Vehicle taken to local gm dealer for repair. Assessment indicated need to replace power…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Buick Enclave reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Buick Enclave is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Buick Enclave?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Buick Enclave does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Buick Enclave?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 12 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 56,039 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Buick Enclave a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 68 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 56,039 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Buick Enclave?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 12 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 56,039 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 56,039 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Buick Enclave has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Buick Enclave?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 68 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.