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 ↗2015 Buick Enclave airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Buick Enclave have filed 102 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 100,000 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
102
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Enclave | 34 |
| 2012 Enclave | 20 |
| 2013 Enclave | 7 |
| 2014 Enclave | 196 |
| 2015 Enclave (this page) | 102 |
| 2016 Enclave | 109 |
| 2017 Enclave | 145 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 60% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 102 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.
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 informational bulletin provides information on the inboard seat airbag is mounted in this area and creates a slightly different contour of the seat causing an appearance concern, and that this should be considered normal and no parts should be replaced for this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
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 ↗BUICK/GMC/CHEVROLET: A MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED IN DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC), SERVICE AIR BAG, AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON WITH MANY CODES, COULD BE CAUSED BY HIGH RESISTANCE AND CRIMPING OF TERMINALS. MODEL 2014-15 ENCLAVE, TRAVERSE, ACADIA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The overwhelming majority of the 102 complaints center on a single issue: the Takata airbag inflator recall (Campaign 23V334000). Owners received notification letters from GM starting in June 2023 stating that replacement inflators were not yet available. A second wave of letters in March 2024 claimed parts would become available, but owners who followed up with dealers found parts still unavailable or faced lengthy waits—some waiting over a year and a half after initial notification.
Owners describe a parts distribution problem. GM told them parts were available; dealers contradicted this. Placeholder service appointments were scheduled for months out, then repeatedly pushed back. A few owners eventually got replacement inflators installed, but only after persistent follow-up calls. Several reported being told by dealerships that parts "had come in" only after contacting the dealer directly, suggesting GM never proactively notified them.
The recalled inflators risk rupture and metal fragment release during deployment. Some owners also reported airbag warning lights, control system lights, or check engine lights illuminating before the recall letter arrived. One owner described vehicle sway at highway speed and roof airbags that deployed independently at 116,000 miles.
GM refused loaner or rental reimbursement for out-of-warranty vehicles, even though NHTSA guidance suggests older, higher-mileage vehicles are at greater risk. Owners unable to afford replacements were left unable to reliably drive their vehicles or sell them with an open recall.
Same Buick Enclave airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag inflator defect (Recall 23V334000)
Defective airbag inflators that can rupture during deployment, releasing metal fragments. Identified as part of recall 23V334000 (Takata recall). Owners report this poses a severe safety risk, particularly in older vehicles exposed to long-term heat and humidity. The defect affects both driver and passenger airbags.
When: Recalls issued starting June 2023; some failures noted around 50,000–116,000 miles depending on owner
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Control system warning light illuminated; Check engine warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: 23V334000
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement airbag inflators required. Owners report chronic unavailability of parts; some waited 1.5+ years after recall notification without parts becoming available. A few owners eventually obtained replacement parts and had them installed at dealerships. No specific costs reported by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V334000 issued by GM; recall letters sent starting June 2023 stating parts unavailable, with follow-up letters in March 2024 indicating parts availability—though dealership confirmations contradicted GM's claims. GM refused to reimburse rental or provide loaner vehicles for recalls on paid-off vehicles outside warranty, citing vehicle age and paid status.
Airbag deployment with metal fragment release (actual failure)
Roof-mounted driver and passenger-side airbags deployed independently while vehicle was being driven. No collision or known trigger reported. Seat belt seizure also occurred simultaneously. This represents an unverified actual failure, distinct from the Takata defect recall.
When: Approximately 116,282 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver and passenger roof airbags deployed without collision; Front driver and passenger seat belts seized
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by dealer or independent mechanic. No repair details available.
Synthesized from 102 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not…
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made…
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. VIN tool confirms…
Existing recall on airbags has been issued for over 6 months with no solution. This is a potentially dangerous condition that these airbags that can cause metal fragments to pass thorough the vehicle. GM has neglected to adequately address the issue and does not provide any time frame they expect to have a solution, all while millions of families are put in danger each day by the very thing…
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. VIN tool confirms…
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that…
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that…
Had airbags trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Buick Enclave?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 102 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 95,000 and 116,282 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 95,000; a quarter make it past 116,282. 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/2015/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.