2019 Buick Enclave Complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/07/2026

Formal Complaint – 2019 Buick Enclave Rear A/C Evaporator Failure I am filing a safety complaint regarding repeated refrigerant leaks and rear A/C evaporator failure on my 2019 Buick Enclave. My vehicle has 72,000 miles and has experienced two A/C system failures within 60 days. The first Freon leak was repaired under a GM special warranty. Only two months later, the system failed again, and the dealership diagnosed a rear evaporator core leak requiring a $3,000 repair. This is not normal wear. GM has documented this defect in bulletins PIT5335, PIT5335A, and 16‑NA‑046, which describe rear evaporator corrosion caused by blower‑motor copper brush dust contaminating the evaporator. My vehicle is experiencing the same failure pattern. This defect presents safety concerns including: • Loss of cooling in high‑heat conditions, affecting driver alertness • Moisture or fogging that can impair windshield visibility • Air‑quality risks from refrigerant leaks and potential mold • System failure during highway travel, impacting driver comfort and concentration The rapid recurrence of the failure after a GM‑covered repair indicates a systemic defect, not a maintenance issue. GM refuses to cover the second repair despite acknowledging the defect in its own bulletins. I have owned four new GM vehicles since 1998, including two I kept for ten years each, with no A/C failures. This repeated defect is financially burdensome and potentially hazardous. I request NHTSA investigate rear A/C evaporator failures in Buick Enclave models, determine whether a safety recall is warranted, and review whether GM’s special warranty coverage should be expanded to address repeat failures.

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 06/30/2026

2019 Buick Enclave (GM) w/ 29481 miles, consistently serviced and in excellent working order. In city traffic about 45-50MPH, no warning lights until total electrical/power failure - no power, no steering, no electrical/lights. Car is owned by [XXX] mother-in-law ([XXX]). Her daughter ([XXX]) was driving. Had [XXX] been driving, there would have been a wreck. [XXX] was able to coast into a corner gas station/garage. Buy next day mechanic was able to isolate failure to alternator. Since we performed the repair at the closest mechanic, I do not know what GM knows. I see on internet a high volume of alternator failures in Enclaves. It doesn't seem an alternator failure should be so abrupt, without warning and with such dire immediate impact. GM has said they 'may' have been able to help with the cost of the repair if we had had it done at an authorized service center. Frankly, this feels like a trap (and Nissan did exactly this to me 2 years ago - asking me to tow into their service center and then saying 'oops, sorry, no warranty ... ). GM should buy their failed alternator back and study why it failed and why that failure had this impact to the vehicle. The repair was made with a GM part - honestly, not sure if that's good or bad, but there is no excuse for GM to not own their part failure. No one other than the mechanic has inspected the car. He would probably be glad to speak to NHTSA. No prior warning lights, messages, symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/04/2025

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving at 30 to 40 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was hard to shift. The TPMS was illuminated. The contact indicated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (Power Train). The local dealer was contacted, who informed about the diagnostic fees. The contact called another local dealer, Starling Buick GMC Stuart Parts, and Starling Buick GMC Stuart Service, at 2445 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart, FL 34994, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center, which confirmed the failure was due to the torque converter. The manufacturer was contacted, who confirmed there was no recall or warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 04/09/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while driving in traffic at 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The horn and wipers turned on unexpectedly. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was inoperable and the vehicle jerked. The doors failed to unlock, and the air conditioner was inoperable on a hot day, and the contact had symptoms of hyperventilation. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll up or down. Eventually, the vehicle failed to turn off, and the owner disconnected the battery. A towing company was called to tow the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 12/27/2025

The car hesitates when accelerating. It feels like its going to die. Also, the car has shut off randomly with the display saying "not in right conditions to start". The dying has happened a few times.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/30/2025

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? The issue appears to be related to the auto start-stop system and/or an EVAP-related component, as the vehicle will sometimes completely shut off instead of restarting when stopped. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the engine shuts off, the vehicle loses all power, including steering and brake assist. This has happened at red lights, stop signs, and in school zone traffic. I have to restart the vehicle while stopped in active traffic lanes, which puts me and others at high risk of being hit. I am a single mom with 3 young children. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. A Buick dealership inspected the vehicle earlier this year. They observed the stalling issue but could not identify a single cause. They suggested possible repair attempts, but the issue has continued. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? It has only been inspected by a Buick dealership service department. No other agencies have inspected it. Were there any warning lights, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure? When did they first appear? No warning lights or messages appeared when it first happened. The problem began before I replaced the battery, and replacing the battery did not resolve the issue. Additional Description: When I come to a stop—at red lights, stop signs, or in traffic—the vehicle’s auto start-stop system activates like normal, but instead of restarting, the engine will completely shut off. I then lose power steering and braking support and must restart the car in the middle of the roadway. It is unpredictable and unsafe. Sometimes it’s instantly but today I sat there for 15 minutes waiting. I took it straight to autozone and everything tested good.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 11/17/2022

I purchased my vehicle in 2020. In 2022 I experienced an issue where my car stopped in the middle of the road without warning. Despite several attempts to try and move the vehicle off of the road the police were notified and my vehicle was towed. The vehicle gave an error code that conditions not met for driving. One office tried to put the vehicle in neutral but the wheels locked and the shifter was locked as well. The battery has been replaced 3 different times since I have owned the vehicle. A mechanic friend of mine (who is a trainer for GMC) hooked his computer up to it and found no issues. He did find a loose wire which he the reconnected. I was able to drive my car for 6 months before the same thing happened, same situation the vehicle just stopped in the middle of the road only this time I couldn't turn the vehicle off, we had to manually disconnect the battery and again the police came out due to traffic hold up. My car was towed twice afterwards as I could get the car running for a few minutes before another error. To date my car has been sitting in my driveway since March of this year, this time it won't hold a charge and will not even start. Im not sure if this is an engine or an electrical issue. I did call 2 Buick dealerships that told me that it would take about 5 hours to diagnose the issue where I would be charged per hour at the mechanic hourly rate. At this point I think my vehicle needs to be recalled, even if I could get it repaired I dont feel safe driving it. Thankfully it stopped on a minor freeway and no major incidents occurred.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 02/05/2025

This is the third time in less the last couple of months that the air conditioning system on this 2019 Buick Enclave has failed. The vehicle consistently blows only hot air, regardless of whether it is in motion or stationary. The problem does not fluctuate with changes in speed or drive duration. In addition, there is a consistent noise coming from the dashboard area that resembles a hydraulic hinge or actuator.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/01/2025

Anc module is faulty after HVAC condensation entered the unit causing it to not work making all speakers nonfunctioning

POWER TRAIN — Filed 04/14/2025

The 2019 Buick Enclave was taken in for transmission fluid flush & check. The dealer came back and stated that the torque converter needed replacement. The car was still under mileage warranty but just past the roll-off-line date by a month. There are numerous issues all over the internet related to The Enclave torque converter issues. Even a service bulleting PIP5608J that covers these exact issues. It is a wide spread safety issue. If the transmission fails, what is the outcome at high speeds? It has just over 69,000 miles. Todays transmissions should last 150,000 miles minimum. Unacceptable!