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 ↗2017 Buick Enclave airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Buick Enclave have filed 145 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
145
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Enclave | 7 |
| 2014 Enclave | 196 |
| 2015 Enclave | 102 |
| 2016 Enclave | 109 |
| 2017 Enclave (this page) | 145 |
4crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 145 airbags complaints filed for the 2017 Buick Enclave, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 81% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 145 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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Buick Enclave has a widespread front driver airbag defect under recall N232404980 (also NHTSA Campaign 23V334000), involving a supplier manufacturing problem in the inflator that can rupture during deployment and force metal fragments into the passenger compartment. GM announced the recall in June 2023, but replacement parts remain unavailable months later. Owners who received recall notices are stuck: dealers confirm no parts in stock, GM provides only standard acknowledgment language without offering loaners or compensation, and the manufacturer acknowledges driving the vehicle poses injury or death risk yet cannot deliver a fix.
Separately, two owners reported airbag non-deployment in low-speed collisions—one at 5,000 miles after a 25 mph turn where the driver hit his head and required medical care, and another at 75,000 miles following a 20 mph deer impact. Neither event triggered warning lights beforehand. The root causes of those non-deployments are not documented.
Most complaints focus on the recall parts shortage. Owners express frustration that vehicles flagged as unsafe remain on the road unfixed for 6–12+ months, with dealers powerless and manufacturer communication absent. One owner noted dealers inconsistently reported parts availability, creating confusion. Another sought NHTSA intervention to force GM to accelerate the solution.
Same Buick Enclave airbags reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Front driver airbag inflator rupture (Recall N232404980 / 23V334000)
Supplier manufacturing defect in front driver airbag inflator that may rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the vehicle interior. Takata recall. Announced June 2023; no remedy parts available as of the latest complaints (spanning through at least February 2024). Owners report prolonged periods—6+ months to over a year—without parts or repair remedy despite notification of a life-threatening hazard.
When: Announced June 2023; unfixed as of early 2024; noted at mileages including 68,700 and 170,000
Symptoms owners cite: No symptoms until potential deployment; Service Air Bags warning message (reported in complaint #13); Intermittent airbag warning light (reported in complaint #9)
Repairs/costs cited: Front driver airbag inflator replacement required. Parts were not available; dealers confirmed parts distribution disconnect. No labor costs reported because repair could not be performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N232404980 / NHTSA Campaign 23V334000 (Air Bags). GM acknowledged defect but provided no remedy for extended period. Dealers informed customers parts not available. One owner reported GM sent only standard acknowledgment text with no offer of assistance or loaner vehicle.
Airbag non-deployment in collision
Two separate crash events where airbags failed to deploy: one at 20 mph after hitting a deer and going into a marsh (75,000 miles); another at 25 mph following a left-turn collision with another vehicle at low speed (5,000 miles). No pre-incident warning lights reported. In the 25 mph collision, driver sustained head injuries requiring medical attention and seat belt also failed to lock.
When: At 5,000 miles and 75,000 miles respectively
Symptoms owners cite: No warning lights before impact; Airbags did not deploy upon collision impact
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were towed. One was destroyed (deemed a total loss). Other awaited diagnosis at repair shop. No diagnosis or repair costs reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of the 5,000-mile failure. No recall or response documented for either event.
Synthesized from 145 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Enclave. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V334000 (AIR BAGS) however, the contact was told 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…
Received safety recall last year 2021 and made arrangements with John Holt Auto Sales in Chickasha, OK. They took all the information and said we would be notified when the air bag replacement had arrived. It's been over a year now and this problem still exists. Not sure how much longer I should wait while driving this hazardous vehicle on the highway.
The contact owns a 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 dealer-scheduled an appointment but informed the contact that the part was rejected. The contact called Stocker GMC (273 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801) and Thomas…
Had airbags trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Buick Enclave?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 145 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 145 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 67,671 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/2017/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.