This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Buick Enclave powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2018 Buick Enclave have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Enclave | 19 |
| 2015 Enclave | 4 |
| 2016 Enclave | 9 |
| 2017 Enclave | 3 |
| 2018 Enclave (this page) | 15 |
| 2019 Enclave | 13 |
| 2020 Enclave | 7 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 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
Powertrain accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin advises the tech that the rotational Clicking Noise Heard After Engine Shut Down may be normal characteristics of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe transmission problems that show up early and persist despite repairs. Multiple people can't shift into drive or reverse, with some vehicles stopping completely on highways or in parking lots. At least one owner had their transmission replaced without fixing the shaking and grinding noises—the dealership found 6 other Enclaves with the identical issue, all unable to be diagnosed by engineers.
A separate pattern involves the vehicle shaking violently when accelerating, diagnosed by one mechanic as a bad torque converter (the "GM shutter"). This started as early as 6 months into ownership in one case.
Several owners report the car stalling after refueling, then shifting itself into neutral at red lights. One owner got three stalling episodes between August 2019 and February 2020, with dealers blaming a recall the first two times but finding nothing wrong the third time.
Safety concerns are real: one Enclave rolled backward uphill in a parking lot immediately after being placed in park, hit another vehicle, and neither the collision alert nor automatic braking engaged—the GDS diagnostics showed multiple radar modules not communicating.
Dealers and GM appear unable or unwilling to help. Warranty companies deny coverage, customers are told to be patient without timelines, and in one case a loanr vehicle was also defective. One owner waited 4 months with no resolution.
Same Buick Enclave powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shifting and engagement failures
Vehicle unable to shift into drive or reverse, or unable to shift between gears. Includes instances where shifter failed to respond, transmission needed replacement, or vehicle could not be driven after refueling.
When: 71,000 miles; 110,000 miles; early mileage (under 5,000); variable mileage up to 125,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to shift to drive or reverse; Shifter fails to respond; Vehicle stops in gear and cannot be moved; Transmission stops functioning after freeway exit; Vehicle stops in middle of highway unable to shift to drive
Codes mentioned: Check engine light illuminated, Unknown warning light, OnStar notification: engine or transmission problem, Park brake assist light flashing
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission fluid contained metal shavings; dealer stated transmission replacement needed; dealer replaced transmission on at least one vehicle without resolving issue; some dealers unable to determine cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case: recall noted as cause; Recall letter received Spring 2019 but dealership said everything was fine; GM told owner warranty not honored and provided no assistance; no assistance from manufacturer in multiple cases
Transmission shudder and rough running on acceleration
Vehicle shakes or shudders violently when accelerating or upon light acceleration, described as 'violent shakes,' 'shutter,' and grinding sounds from transmission. Problem persistent across multiple 2018 Enclaves at same dealership.
When: 6 months into ownership; multiple instances over time
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking when accelerating; Shuddering in front of car; Grinding sound from transmission; Running rough after getting gas; Vehicle revs to 2-3 RPM when lightly accelerating; Shaking when applying gas without steady power
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (in some cases), No warning icons in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced in one case without resolving issue; multiple repairs attempted including fluid changes with no resolution; mechanic diagnosed torque converter failure described as 'GM shutter'; Bob Ross Buick dealership reported having 6 other Enclaves with same issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership working with engineers but unable to find cause; multiple dealerships report same issue on multiple vehicles; one case mentioned recall as possible cause but unconfirmed
Engine stalling and shift-to-neutral issues after refueling
Vehicle stalls at stop lights or shifts into neutral automatically after refueling, requiring restart to shift back to drive. Related to fuel system but transmission unable to shift without engine restart.
When: August 2019, September 2019, February 2020; after refueling events
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle auto-stops and shifts to neutral at traffic light after getting gas; Vehicle runs rough after getting gas; Revs to 2-3 RPM on light acceleration; Cannot shift back to drive without restarting engine
Codes mentioned: EVAP leak warning (October 2019, 2 instances fixed)
Repairs/costs cited: EVAP leak repaired in two instances; no error codes found on final stalling episode; dealer unable to determine cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: First two occurrences attributed to recall; third occurrence had no recall and no known cause
Unexpected forward rolling or vehicle creep in park
Vehicle rolls or lurches forward when in park or neutral, or shifted into reverse but moved forward instead. Safety hazard in parking lot and during gear shifts.
When: Low mileage (approximately 200 miles); variable mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward uphill in parking lot after placed in park; Vehicle lunges forward upon acceleration from complete stop; Vehicle rolls forward when in reverse gear
Codes mentioned: Rear Differential Clutch Control Module No Communication, Left Front Short Range Radar Sensor Module No Communication, Right Front Short Range Radar Sensor Module No Communication, Rear Short Range Radar Sensor Module No Communication
Repairs/costs cited: One collision occurred resulting in damage to another vehicle; electronic shifter status issue suspected; black box data and GDS2 reports obtained but not fully provided to consumer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case: Claim initiated with ESIS for product liability with GM; Dealer stated vehicle performed as designed; manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA
Collision avoidance and automatic braking system failures
Safety systems including collision alerts and automatic emergency braking failed to engage when vehicle was about to strike another vehicle in parking lot.
When: Low mileage incident
Symptoms owners cite: No collision alert activation (no seat vibration); No automatic braking engaged despite vehicle approaching parked car; Rear camera not engaged
Repairs/costs cited: Collision occurred; consumer reported seat vibration alert was selected ON in infotainment but did not activate
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Product liability claim initiated with GM
Parking brake assist malfunction
Park brake assist light illuminates and flashes on dashboard intermittently.
When: Variable
Symptoms owners cite: Park brake assist light flashing on dashboard; Light comes on a few times
Codes mentioned: Park brake assist light activated
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while stopped at a gas station; after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle was restarted but was unable to shift to drive(D). The contact attempted to shift to reverse(R) and the shift lever failed to respond. The contact stated an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and…
I purchased a new 2018 enclave in september of 2018. I received a recall letter for the vehicle sometime during the spring 2019 so I went to my dealer service department to get it check and I was told everything was fine. Then in september I noticed the check engine light came on and the vehicle would not accelerate properly so I took it to the dealer service dept. Asap. They told me there was an…
-A few weeks prior to accident, while driving down a 65mph highway in TX, vehicle side mirrors were folding inward. Continued to fold inward after hit button to open them multiple times. Even did this after pulled off highway and stopped/started vehicle and exiting vehicle and locking to try to create a "reset" of system. (Auto folding windows feature in infotainment was NOT selected to be ON…
Second time in less than a month on a 2018 Buick enclave that air conditioning unit/evaporator in vehicle is not working and vehicle is blowing hot air only. This occurs whether vehicle is in motion or stationary. This happens when vehicle is first powered on or over an extended drive (45 mins). Does not oscillate with change in speed. Does not oscillate with length of drive. Hot air blows the…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain 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 $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 70,728 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.