Makes›Buick›Enclave›2011

2011 Buick Enclave

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Buick Enclave
Pictured: 2022 Buick Enclave 'Essense' (facelift), front 6.1.22. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD Cx/Cxl, 4dr SUV FWD Cx/Cxl
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 17 city / 24 hwy
Length
202 in
Curb weight
4,780–4,985 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 Buick Enclave is a SUV - offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,985 lb (4dr SUV AWD Cx/Cxl).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 24 highway), 9% worse than the 2011 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 138 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2011

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Enclave — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Enclave →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD Cx/Cxl202 in79.1 in72.8 in118.9 in67.3 / 66.9 in4,985 lb55/45
4dr SUV FWD Cx/Cxl202 in79.1 in72.8 in118.9 in67.3 / 66.9 in4,780 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Enclave FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 19-9%$3,550468
Enclave AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-5%$3,700494
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2011 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Buick Enclave.

Similar 2011 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Buick Enclave (this car)19 MPGNot rated6
2011 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated5
2011 Ford Explorer20 MPGNot rated6
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe21 MPGNot rated6
2011 Ford Expedition16 MPGNot rated0
2011 Nissan Pathfinder17 MPGNot rated2
2011 Dodge Durango19 MPGNot rated8

Recalls (6)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Oct 7, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V782000 · 555 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
Air Bags › Critical Fasteners · Apr 8, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V246000 · 108 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Risk
Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate · Jun 30, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V415000 · 691,144 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
Risk
If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
Seat Belts · May 20, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V266000 · 1,339,355 vehicles

Problem
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Risk
If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
Fix
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Mar 17, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V118000 · 1,176,407 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk
Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages · Apr 9, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V151000 · 47,846 vehicles

Problem
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Risk
IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Buick Enclave is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

138Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
81,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering33
Engine29
Air Bags20
Power Train17
Electrical System15
Structure › Body12
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)8
Unknown Or Other8
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/04: 120/05: 120/07: 120/08: 120/09: 220/11: 221/03: 121/04: 221/07: 121/08: 122/01: 122/02: 122/08: 222/09: 122/11: 123/03: 123/08: 123/09: 123/11: 224/06: 224/09: 126/04: 126/08: 126/10: 120/0420/0821/0321/0822/0823/0323/1126/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Buick Enclave buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 33 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Engine — 29 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Air Bags — 20 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 81,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Buick Enclave. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Enclave years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Enclave22–Not rated00
2026 Enclave22207.5 inNot rated13
2025 Enclave23207.5 inNot rated038
2024 Enclave21204.3 in★★★★★07
2023 Enclave21204.3 in★★★★★022
2022 Enclave21204.3 in★★★★★114
2021 Enclave21204.3 in★★★★★226
2020 Enclave21204.3 in★★★★★661
2019 Enclave21204.3 in★★★★★144
2018 Enclave21204.3 in★★★★★066
2017 Enclave18202 inNot rated3179
2016 Enclave18202 inNot rated4141

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Buick. How we calculate this →