Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the brakes and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2021 Buick Enclave: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Buick Enclave. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–21 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Brake grinding noise
300–1,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Buick Enclave, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Grinding or metal-on-metal noise during braking shows up very early, in some cases within the first 1,000 miles, and often persists. It can be worse after the car sits. Some drivers say the car feels slow to stop, like braking on snow, and needs more pedal pressure. One report describes a near-collision. Dealers reportedly told owners GM knew about the noise and blamed the brake material. Dealers were also told not to replace parts while engineers worked on a fix. Owners were told the car was safe to drive.
The power liftgate opens on its own. It happens while the car is parked, locked, or switched off, and in some reports while driving. That can trip the alarm, leave cargo exposed, or let items fall onto the road. A service center blamed the switch in the rear hatch. In another case, a failed foot sensor came before the trouble. Some liftgates eventually stop opening at all, and owners find no manual release. A separate report describes door locks failing, mostly after rain.
Excerpts from complaints Enclave owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
No accident. I bought this brand new car on May 29, 2021, and have been experiencing brake issues. When I apply the brakes, there is a weird noise, grinding type and it feels like there is less traction (like when slowing down on snow). I have to apply more pressure to my brakes to slow the vehicle and come to a stop. The problem occurs quite often.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2021
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 Enclave years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the fourth model year of the Enclave's second generation (2018–2024).
Buick updated the Enclave for 2022, so a 2021 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2022 (not on a 2021)
Recall repairs are free at any Buick dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical terminals, which could prevent the air bags from deploying in a crash.
Risk: Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 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 N212352140.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect frontal airbag deployment.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N212340220.
Cars shoppers compare with the Buick Enclave, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
