2009 Buick Enclave Problems: 7 Known Issues
2009 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2009 Buick Enclave has 7 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Buick Enclave Shift Cable Adjustment Clip Recall (09V073000) — Vehicle May Roll Away, Heated Washer Fluid Module Can Ignite — Recall 10V240000, Loss of Power Steering Assist (Pump Wear), Excessive Oil Consumption / Engine Failure on 3.6L ($1,500-$6,500 repair), Stretched/Worn Timing Chain on 3.6L V6 ($3,200-$3,400 repair) and 6T70/6T75 Transmission Wave Plate Failure ($2,500-$4,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $495 to $6,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 7 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls12 recalls
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
SEAT BELTS
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured March 26, 2013, through August 15, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the engine control module (ECM) software may cause the fuel gauge to read inaccurately.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Buick Enclave problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2009 Buick Enclave has 7 documented issues. Documented issues include: Buick Enclave Shift Cable Adjustment Clip Recall (09V073000) — Vehicle May Roll Away, Heated Washer Fluid Module Can Ignite — Recall 10V240000, Loss of Power Steering Assist (Pump Wear). Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Buick Enclave reliable?
The 2009 Buick Enclave has 7 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Buick Enclave Shift Cable Adjustment Clip Recall (09V073000) — Vehicle May Roll Away and Heated Washer Fluid Module Can Ignite — Recall 10V240000 and Loss of Power Steering Assist (Pump Wear) and Excessive Oil Consumption / Engine Failure on 3.6L and Stretched/Worn Timing Chain on 3.6L V6 and 6T70/6T75 Transmission Wave Plate Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Buick Enclave problems?
Repair costs for known Buick Enclave issues range from $495 to $6,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2009 Buick Enclave Buick Enclave Shift Cable Adjustment Clip Recall (09V073000) — Vehicle May Roll Away?
GM recalled 2009 Buick Enclave models under NHTSA campaign 09V073000. On some Enclaves the transmission shift cable adjustment clip may not be fully engaged, which allows the position of the shift lever to disagree with the gear the transmission is actually in. The danger is at t… Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2009 Buick Enclave Heated Washer Fluid Module Can Ignite — Recall 10V240000?
NHTSA recall 10V240000 covers 2008-2009 Buick Enclaves that left the factory with the heated washer fluid system. The heated washer module contains a printed circuit board that can short. A 2008 recall added a fuse to the module's control circuit harness to address the consequenc… Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2011 Buick Enclave Loss of Power Steering Assist (Pump Wear)?
2008-2011 Enclaves (and platform-mates Acadia/Traverse/Outlook) can develop a power steering pump wear condition that causes an intermittent drop in hydraulic pressure and sudden reduced or lost steering assist. The vehicle reverts to manual steering requiring much greater effort… Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2010 Buick Enclave Excessive Oil Consumption / Engine Failure on 3.6L?
Higher-mileage first-generation Enclaves with the 3.6L V6 (worst on the 2008-2010 cars) can burn oil excessively, and in the most severe cases the engine fails outright, including reports of a hole punched in the block. The condition is linked to the same engine's timing-chain/oi… Repairs typically run $1,500-$6,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2013 Buick Enclave Stretched/Worn Timing Chain on 3.6L V6?
The 3.6L high-feature V6 in 2008-2013 Enclaves is prone to timing chain stretch and worn chain guides/tensioners, sometimes appearing as early as 40,000-60,000 miles. As the chain elongates, valve timing drifts, triggering misfires and a rattle at idle/startup; if a chain jumps a… Repairs typically run $3,200-$3,400. Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2009 Buick Enclave 6T70/6T75 Transmission Wave Plate Failure?
The first-generation Enclave (built 2008-2017) uses the 6T70/6T75 6-speed automatic, whose stamped-steel 35R wave plate can crack at the teeth after enough shift cycles. When it fractures, the transmission abruptly loses 3rd, 5th, and reverse gears, and debris can damage the valv… Repairs typically run $2,500-$4,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2017 Buick Enclave Water Pump Leak / Coolant Loss on 3.6L V6?
The 3.6L V6 in the Enclave is known for water pump failure: GM bulletins describe leaks from the water pump shaft seal, often made worse by running the engine with a low coolant level, which can lead to pump failure. Owners frequently find coolant puddling after the car is parked… Repairs typically run $495-$1,100. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.