Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Buick Enclave
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Buick Enclave has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 535 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #21V782000 Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V415000 Liftgate Struts may Fail and Liftgate may Fall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V118000 Side Impact Air Bags Wiring Connections NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V240000 HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V441000 HEATED WIPER WASHER SYSTEM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V410000 WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE/HEAVY SNOW OR ICE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 139 complaints
- Air Bags 113 complaints
- Steering 99 complaints
- Structure 77 complaints
- Electrical System 73 complaints
- Engine 72 complaints
Of the 535 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 535 complaints, owners report 41 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Buick Enclave has frequent complaints and recalls related to critical systems like air bags and electrical components. The vehicle’s history with serious safety recalls affects its reliability perception. Prospective owners should be prepared for potential repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| transmission | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,800–$3,500 | common |
| timing chain | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,500–$2,500 | common |
| water pump | 70,000–110,000 miles | $700–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad and rotor replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Cooling system inspection
- Tire rotation and balancing
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Transmission slipping during gear shifts
- Unusual engine noise at startup
- Warning lights for airbag system
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Buick Enclave at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.