There are two issues: while backing up the car, especially down a hill, the brakes do not work/engage temporarily. Eventually the brakes engage, but you travel further than you intend. The "service brake system" light appears also. This is an intermittent problem. The second braking issue is that the emergency brake will engage without the button being pressed. It just happens and it the…
2018 Buick Enclave brakes problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 15 brakes complaints filed for the 2018 Buick Enclave, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Of the 11 model years of Buick Enclave we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 15.
Brakes accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
While driving on very slick roads on a highway, I attempted to brake the vehicle in preparation to making a left hand turn. I could not stop the vehicle. The wheels kept pushing me forward. I could feel the ABS pulsing but the vehicle would not stop. Luckily, no one was ahead of me or I would have hit the vehicle. It felt like the car was overriding my attempts to stop it. I wasn't just…
The brake system ABS module/sensor malfunctions- yes it is available for further inspection. Safety is an issue due to the ABS indicator light on. Yes, the problem/issue has been confirmed by a dealership. No inspections have occurred other than the dealership. The only warning is the light indicator for the brakes, parking ABS.
Random activation of parking brake while the car is in drive. Most often occurs when on a slope and a low speed. Multiple incidents have occurred since purchase it has continued to get worse. The vehicle has been in for service many times with no resolution. I opened a case with gm on 9/12/2019 but they have not returned my calls or emails since 10/3/19. There has been several instances of…
The e-break warning came on twice after releasing the e-break when parked, the warning came on shortly after pulling from a shopping center parking lot. The e-break light was flashing with the 'service light' active and a display notification of emergency break issues. Both of these two incidents happen after the last service update n19221631 was implemented back on 5/2020. The first one was…
Several times I have been stopped at a red light, and my parking break will come on without me engaging it. I was almost hit by other vehicles the last time my vehicle did this. People were blasting their horns and speeding around me because I was unable to move my vehicle. Because I had not manually engaged my parking break, my vehicle would not allow me to disengage the parking break until…
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 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 brakes problem on the 2018 Buick Enclave?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 20,000 and 35,850 miles, with the median around 24,586. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 35,850. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2018/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.