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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2016 Buick Enclave has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 140 owner complaints, and gets about 17 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2016 Buick Enclave

  • Engine 6-cyl 3.6L
  • Drive All-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

4 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

5 injuries reported

5 of 140 reports (~4%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2016.

  • 20147recalls
  • 20155recalls
  • 2016 · this car4recalls
  • 20173recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
5 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Optional
Lane-departure warning
Optional

Tested as: 2016 Buick Enclave SUV AWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

4 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Air Bags

    07/10/2021

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

  2. Seats

    11/12/2015

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that may have welds that are not in the correction location.

    How they fix it: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 21930.

  3. Visibility

    29/09/2015

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured August 18, 2015 to September 24, 2015. Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor may overheat when used.

    How they fix it: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor cover assembly, free of charge. Owners are advised not to use their front windshield wipers until the wiper cover has been replaced. If weather conditions prevent operation of the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, GM will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. The recall began on September 30, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15780.

  4. Air Bags

    10/05/2023

    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.

    How they fix it: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2016.

  • 2014292reports
  • 2015171reports
  • 2016 · this car140reports
  • 2017179reports

140 owner reports on file

2 crash mentions 5 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 140 total reports.

  • AIR BAGS 109 of 140

    I am seeing that these have been repaired, when in fact it has not been repaired.

  • POWER TRAIN 9 of 140

    Traction stabilization light comes on very frequently and vehicle loses power, step on gas and it sputters can’t get out of any one’s way, they throw parts at it and never fixes. From feedback off internet a big problem 2008-2017 enclaves

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 of 140

    We have had spark plugs fixed twice in the past 4 months and they keep faltering. Both mechanics changed them

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 of 140

    Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Buick Enclave on November 25, 2025 from an independent dealer. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the Odometer reading was 102,068. After conta

  • ENGINE 3 of 140

    The contact owns a 2016 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop uphill, with his children in the middle rear passenger’s seats, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The cont

  • STRUCTURE 3 of 140

    CAR IS LEAKING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE DASH (BY YOUR FEET) AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE DASH (BY YOUR FEET) I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT OFTEN RAINS. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD AND RUST OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. IT APPEARS T

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Sold in 2 versions

They range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2016.

  • 201418mpg
  • 201518mpg
  • 2016 · this car17mpg
  • 201717mpg

$3,600

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 15 mpg
Highway driving 22 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 17 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $7,000 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

6-cyl 3.6L

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic 6-spd

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
6-cyl 3.6L
Cylinders
6
Displacement
3.6 L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 6-spd
Body
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the air bags). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the air bags

Owners report problems with the air bags more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2016 Buick Enclave listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2016 Buick Enclave? +

    NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2016 Buick Enclave, including the air bags. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2016 Buick Enclave get? +

    The EPA rates the 2016 Buick Enclave at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway), about $3,600 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2016 Buick Enclave? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2016 Buick Enclave 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2016 Buick Enclave? +

    Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Buick Enclave, including 2 involving a crash. The most-reported area is air bags.

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