This 2021 model shows good reliability, primarily driven by a below-average recall rate for the BUICK brand.
Key Factor:below-average recall rate
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (2) than the average BUICK vehicle (0.9). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
2 recalls for this vehicle0.9 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
πWhy This Matters
Understanding recall history helps predict future ownership costs. Each unaddressed issue represents potential repair expenses.
Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.
Focus Area:general reliability
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Grind
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (0.9)
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Summary:
Safety & Reliability Score
83/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-0.95
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 BUICK Enclave
Model Year2021
MakeBUICK
ModelEnclave
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Mar21
ISSUEFirst Report
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
5 complaints (26% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
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Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 19 consumer complaints by severity level.
π‘Medium
2(11%)
π’Low
17(89%)
β Good News: No critical or high-severity complaints reported for this vehicle.
Mileage Failure Analysis
βοΈEngineering Insight
Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 34,648 miles.
π Mileage data extracted from 6 of 19 complaints (32% coverage)
0-20k
2 reports (33%)
20k-40k
2 reports (33%)
40k-60k
1 reports (17%)
60k-80k
1 reports (17%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
π οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
AIR BAGS
Official Safety Recalls (2)
Campaign: 21V472000
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:FRONTAL IMPACT
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Summary
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.
Consequence
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 22V210000
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
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Summary
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.
Consequence
Roof rail air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
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No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
19 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Enclave.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Grind26%
Noise21%
Warning11%
Accident11%
Stuck5%
Crack5%
Electricalπ΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem: The back hatch or trunk door pops open randomly on its own, many times a day. In a parking lot once. It hasn't happened while I've been driving. Safety issue because if it were to open while in public and a person wasn't in the vehicle, then anyone could enter the vehicle and theft could occur. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. A service center confirmed that it's the switch in the back hatch. No, the vehicle hasn't been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance. No, there haven't been any warning lights with this issue.
Otherπ΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The catalytic converter has been replaced 3 times. The flex pipes has been repaired and replaced 4 times and the exhaust pipes has been welded on 5 times. The back tail pipe fail off while driving and had to be welded. The exhaust on this vehicle has given me many problems.
Otherπ΅ Low
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate latch independently unlocked. The contact stated the failure had occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled for an inspection and diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 39,700.
Electricalπ΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2021 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the door locks intermittently failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the doors had failed to lock and unlock as needed. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred after it had rained. The contact related the failure to the Manufacturer's Communication Number: 10211091. The dealer was notified of the failure and provided a cost for the diagnostic test and repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 62,188.
Electricalπ΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Power Liftgate was functioning erratically and now it won't open at all. Currently there is no way to manually open the liftgate or access the rear of the vehicle without climbing through the vehicle to get to the trunk area. Electrical switches on inside, exterior of vehicle nor the keyfob will open the liftgate. Previously the liftgate opened on its own at unintended times and now it has simply quit working. Safety issue was when it was opening while driving. It is not currently doing this since it won't work anymore. Complete Failure happened around 54K miles.
Engine/Powertrainπ΅ Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Catalytic converter was defective in October 2022. Had to wait to get part in. Vehicle taken to dealer for repair in December 2022/ Told that the second catalytic converter needed to be repaired. I stated that I was not aware that cars had two catalytic converters. Parts were ordered and replaced. Engine light came back on-again October 15, 2024. Portable CO detector in car was beeping when engine around time engine light came on. Not covered by warranty or insurance. A new car with 55, 000 miles to date should not have these issues.
Electricalπ΅ Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
The rear switch on our tailgate has failed and it allows the tailgate to open/close randomly on its own while the vehicle is locked even. I contacted Buick about the problem and they said didnβt care, but this can happen while the vehicle is moving down the road as well as when parked. Itβs not necessarily a typical safety issue that are normally recalled for, but it does pose significant safety issues if you want your car to be locked and you come back from the store and itβs not and people are free to break it or if it were to happen while moving. We had this happen on our car at around 38,000 miles. From reading other Buick forums to try and figure out what the cause is, it sounds like itβs a somewhat common occurrence. Itβs alarming that it can open while the vehicle is locked.
Safety Systemsπ΅ Low
SEAT BELTS
Passenger seat belt doesn't always work. Has to click several times
Engine/Powertrainπ΅ Low
POWER TRAIN
AWD has vibration at highway speeds when engaged
Engine/Powertrainπ΅ Low
ENGINE
When driving my car down the street today, it abruptly stopped in the middle of the street and and engine locked up. I could not shift gears. I could not put my car in neutral. I was literally stuck in the middle of the street with a vehicle that gave me no warning of malfunctioning. This is the 3rd transmission that I have had in this car. It is a 2021 Buick Enclave with just over 12,000 miles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any recalls for the 2021 BUICK Enclave?
Yes, the 2021 BUICK Enclave has 2 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including AIR BAGS:SENSOR:FRONTAL IMPACT, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN.
Is the 2021 BUICK Enclave safe to drive?
The 2021 BUICK Enclave has 2 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.
Where can I check if my 2021 BUICK Enclave has open recalls?
You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local BUICK dealer.
πYear-over-Year Context
πImproving Trend
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2020 issues. Recall frequency decreased 67%.
π―Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Air bags
Issue: increases occupant injury risk
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If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm air bags recalls are complete. Recall repairs are always free.
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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all air bags recalls are completed before purchase.
Campaigns:21V47200022V210000
π‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your BUICK dealer to verify recall completion status.
π§What This Means for You
Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Verify all 2 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your BUICK dealer.
If any recalls are open, schedule service immediatelyβrecall repairs are always free.
Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used
Request the VIN before purchase and verify recall status at NHTSA.gov.
This model year shows favorable reliability metrics compared to alternatives.