Throttlebook

2012 Buick Enclave structure problems

24 owner reports7 injuries

This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.

Related recalls

  • 15V415000 · Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate

    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,…

Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

  • “The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and hesitated while attempting to accelerate and depressing the accelerator pedal. During the failure, the check engine warning light momentarily illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Additionally, while opening the rear liftgate door, there was a clicking sound coming from the driver's side rear liftg…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 02/26/2025

  • “The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that after pressing the liftgate button to the open the rear liftgate, the liftgate door opened before suddenly falling downward and closing. During the incident the liftgate door had made contact with the owners head. The contact sustained bruised head which did not require medical treatment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000(Structure). The con…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 06/08/2023

  • “The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while placing groceries into his vehicle, an abnormal noise began to emit from the rear liftgate. As the contact moved out of the way, the liftgate slammed down independently without warning. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V415000 (Structure) which he linked to the failure. The contact called the manufacturer and he was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was then…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 06/09/2022

  • “The contact owns a 2012 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, he would hear loud abnormal rattling and ticking sounds coming from the corner between the front passenger’s side and the windshield. There were no warnings lights were illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 11/09/2021

  • “TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE INADVERTENTLY CLOSED AND STRUCK A PERSON RETRIEVING AN UNKNOWN OBJECT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE F. C. KERBECK GMC DEALER LOCATED AT 100 ROUTE 73 N, PALMYRA, NJ 08065, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,100.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 08/17/2020

  • “THE HATCHBACK SLAMS SHUT RANDOMLY. IT ALWAYS CLOSES ON ITS OWN WHILE PEOPLE ARE UNDER IT.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 08/06/2020

  • “I HAD THE RECALL DONE ON MY VEHICLE AS PART OF THE 2015/2016 LIFTGATE RECALL. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SINCE. THIS MORNING WHEN GETTING INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR, THE LIFTGATE STARTED TO CLOSE ON IT'S OWN WITH NO WARNING (BEEPING OR LIGHTS) AND HIT ME ON THE HEAD. EVEN THOUGH IT IS SUPPOSED TO OPEN AGAIN WHEN IT DETECTS AN OBJECT IN THE WAY, IT CONTINUED TO PUSH CLOSE ON ME. I HAD TO FORCE THE LIFTGATE UP WHILE IT WAS PUSHING DOWN. I TRIED TURNING THE POWER OFF AND THE LIFTGATE WON'T STAY OPEN AT AL…”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 02/07/2020

  • “TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH FAILED TO OPEN AUTOMATICALLY BECAUSE THE STRUTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.”

    NHTSA complaint · filed 01/31/2019

Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.

Check the one you're looking at

A free VIN report shows recalls that may apply, the 5-year cost, and whether it fits your budget. Then ask our AI about this exact problem.

How common are 2012 Buick Enclave structure problems?
24 owners reported structure issues to NHTSA for the 2012 Buick Enclave. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Is there a recall for 2012 Buick Enclave structure problems?
Yes — campaign 15V415000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

← Full 2012 Buick Enclave report