Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2014 Buick Enclave
The 2014 Buick Enclave has multiple recalls, primarily related to airbag and electrical issues. Safety concerns regarding airbag deployment should be addressed immediately. Also, the potential for transmission shift cable problems and engine complaints suggest the importance of thorough inspection and test driving. Despite these issues, with proper maintenance and updates, the Enclave could be a safe and reliable family vehicle.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2014 Buick Enclave has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 292 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V334000 Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V782000 Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V246000 Side Curtain Air Bags May be Unsecured NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V614000 Contamination of the Chassis Electronic Module NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V266000 Flexible Steel Cable for Seat Belt may Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V223000 Inaccurate Fuel Gauge Reading NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V092000 Broken Transmission Adjuster Cable/FMVSS 102/114 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 205 complaints
- Electrical System 27 complaints
- Power Train 21 complaints
- Engine 17 complaints
- Unknown or Other 12 complaints
- Seat Belts 11 complaints
Of the 292 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 292 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Airbag inflators may explode
How to check: Verify all recall repairs on airbags are completed.
Electrical shorts possible
How to check: Inspect chassis electronic module for any recalls.
Shift cable may disconnect
How to check: Test shifting through all gears smoothly.
Inaccurate fuel gauge reading
How to check: Compare fuel gauge to actual tank level.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ensure there are no warning lights on the dashboard.
Red flag: Persistent airbag warning light
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Listen for any unusual engine noises.
Red flag: Loud knocking or ticking
- 03
City driving
What to check: Check if transmission shifts smoothly, without jerks.
Red flag: Hesitation or rough shifting
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure stable acceleration without lag.
Red flag: Transmission fails to change gears
- 05
Braking
What to check: Test for smooth, sure braking response.
Red flag: Vibration or pulling to one side
- 06
Turning
What to check: Listen for clicking or unusual noises in steering.
Red flag: Excessive steering noise indicating issues
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Have all airbag recalls been addressed?
- Any transmission or shifting issues recently?
- When was the last electrical system check?
- Have you experienced any engine problems?
- Are there any outstanding recalls?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Repair and recall history
- Maintenance records
- Vehicle history report
- Title and registration
- Emissions test results
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2014 Buick Enclave at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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