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 ↗2016 Buick Enclave airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Buick Enclave have filed 109 NHTSA complaints about the airbags 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 →
Complaints
109
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Enclave | 20 |
| 2013 Enclave | 7 |
| 2014 Enclave | 196 |
| 2015 Enclave | 102 |
| 2016 Enclave (this page) | 109 |
| 2017 Enclave | 145 |
2crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 109 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Buick Enclave, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
Airbags accounts for 78% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 109 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 LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG DTC(S) SET.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Buick Enclaves are reporting a critical airbag safety defect compounded by a stalled recall remedy. The root issue is a manufacturing defect in the front-driver airbag inflator that could rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin—potentially causing serious injury or death. Multiple owners describe actual collision events where the front airbags failed to deploy: one experienced a 45 mph rear-impact strike and heard deployment sounds with smoke but saw no bag deployment; another had a severe rear-ended collision that totaled the vehicle without airbag protection, and a third reported a minor side-impact with no airbag response, later confirmed as a serious frontal airbag fault on diagnostic scan.
Beyond deployment failures, some owners report dashboard airbag warning lights illuminating during normal driving and false warnings about seat-belt and airbag status. The deeper frustration centers on GM's inability to execute the recall. Although NHTSA issued recall 23V334 in May 2023, as of July 2024—over 14 months later—dealers nationwide report that replacement inflator parts have not arrived. Owners who contacted dealers in June 2023, January 2024, and July 2024 received the same answer: no parts yet, no timeline. GM told one owner parts were being distributed in waves regionally but would not commit to dates. One manufacturer note blamed a 2003 "Stop Sale" status for complicating the remedy. Throughout these complaints, owners emphasize they have been left driving vehicles officially deemed unsafe with no interim solutions, buyback options, or loaner programs offered.
Same Buick Enclave airbags reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Front driver-side airbag inflator manufacturing defect with failure to deploy
Owners report that front-driver airbags failed to deploy during collisions, despite meeting deployment criteria. One owner experienced a severe rear-impact collision at 45 mph and detected smoke associated with airbag deployment but no actual deployment. Another owner reported a minor front-side collision with no airbag activation. A third experienced a rear-end collision and reported smoke from the front vents but no airbag deployment, later diagnosed as a serious frontal airbag issue. The underlying defect involves a potential manufacturing defect in the front-driver airbag inflator that may rupture during deployment, allowing metal fragments to enter the vehicle interior.
When: At time of collision; diagnostic confirmation between July 2018 and July 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag failed to deploy during collision despite impact; Smoke detected from front vents without airbag deployment; Airbag service warning or error message displayed after collision; Vehicle marked as having a serious frontal airbag issue by diagnostic scan; No protection during rear-impact or side-impact incidents
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 23V334 / Manufacturer Recall N232404980 issued May 2023 for 2014–2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia; recall parts unavailable as of July 2024 (over 14 months after recall issued). One owner noted vehicle placed on 'Stop Sale' status, complicating remedy sourcing. Dealers and GM unable to provide timeline for parts availability.
Airbag warning light illumination and system faults
Owners report airbag warning lights appearing on the dashboard and sensor faults indicated by warning messages. One owner experienced the airbag warning light illuminating while driving at undisclosed speed and was directed to the dealer for service. Another received a false warning that the front passenger seat belt was unbuckled and front passenger airbag was enabled despite the seat being unoccupied.
When: At approximately 127,000–130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard during normal driving; False seat-belt-unbuckled warning paired with airbag-enabled message for unoccupied seat; Service airbag message displayed without prior failure report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners referred to dealers; NHTSA Recall 23V334 parts unavailable at time of service requests.
Delayed recall remedy due to parts unavailability
The vast majority of complaints center on the prolonged absence of replacement parts for recall 23V334, issued May 2023. Owners began requesting recall service in June 2023 and, across narratives spanning through July 2024, consistently reported that dealers and GM had not received replacement inflator units. Owners describe contacting dealerships multiple times over 6–14 months without receiving even an estimated delivery date. GM stated parts were being 'released in waves' to different regions but provided no timeline. One complainant noted the vehicle had been placed on a 'Stop Sale' status, which the manufacturer cited as complicating remedies. Owners express frustration that a safety-critical recall affecting children and occupants has gone unrepaired for over a year.
When: May 2023 recall notification through July 2024
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received but parts not available at dealership; Repeated dealer visits with no progress over 6–14 months; No estimated timeline provided by dealer or manufacturer; Wavered parts distribution by region without transparency; Vehicles deemed unsafe but operation unavoidable due to unresolved recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 23V334 (N232404980) issued May 10, 2023. As of July 2024, GM has not supplied replacement inflator parts to dealers. Owners told parts are in limited regional distribution with unknown availability. One manufacturer response cited vehicle 'Stop Sale' status from 2003 as barrier to remedy. No alternative buyback, loaner, or compensation programs mentioned in complaints.
Synthesized from 109 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 16 most recent
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (Air Bags) 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Everytime I call the dealership they say there is no fix to this recall that could potentially injure or kill me while driving.
The contact owns a 2016 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts…
The contact owns a 2016 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 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 experienced…
The contact owns a 2016 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The…
The contact owns a 2016 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 2016 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 contacted and determined that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made…
The contact owns a 2016 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 2016 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 2016 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…
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Buick Enclave?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 109 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?
Based on the 109 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 90,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2016/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.