2016 Buick Enclave: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Buick Enclave: 4 recalls, 141 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V609000 · 2015 · 29,295 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to a manufacturing defect, the windshield wiper motor May overheat when used.
Why it matters: A wiper motor that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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…
Seats Vehicle recall #15V833000 · 2015 · 2,633 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have a the third row left lower seat frame that May have welds that are not in the correction location.
Why it matters: If the seat frame is not welded in the correct places, the seat May not perform as intended, and in the event of a crash, the seat occupant could be at an increased risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V782000 · 2021 · 555 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver's air bag inflator May explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #23V334000 · 2023 · 995,085 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver's air bag inflator May explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (110): the most common themes are fails to deploy (2), warning light on (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (10): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (2), warning light on (2).
- Engine (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), warning light on (2), fire / smoke (2).
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), electrical failure (3), warning light on (2).
The 2016 Buick Enclave has 141 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 19 Enclave model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 132). Complaints peaked in 2024 (67 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 45,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (171 complaints, 5 recalls), 2017 (179 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Buick Enclave.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Buick Enclave. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Buick Enclave problems?
Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (110), transmission & drivetrain (10), engine (9).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Buick Enclave get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Buick Enclave repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.