Recalls
6campaigns
3 air bag · 1 structure · 1 seat belt
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
132filed
Owner reports, 2008–2017 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
5★overall
★★★★★ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
19mpg combined
$3,437/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
3.6 L 6-cyl· 6-speed automatic
2 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 Buick Enclave. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2012 Buick Enclave. Not checked against your VIN.
Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode
Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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.
75.8% repairedof 555 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V782000
Listed for 2012 Buick Enclave. Not checked against your VIN.
Side Curtain Air Bags May be Unsecured
Air bags · critical fasteners
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
- Consequence
- Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
50% repairedof 108 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V246000
Listed for 2012 Buick Enclave. Not checked against your VIN.
Liftgate Struts may Fail and Liftgate may Fall
Structure · body · hatchback/liftgate
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.
- Consequence
- If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.
79.6% repairedof 691,144 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V415000
Listed for 2012 Buick Enclave. Not checked against your VIN.
Flexible Steel Cable for Seat Belt may Fail
Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
- Consequence
- If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
87.4% repairedof 1,339,355 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V266000
Listed for 2012 Buick Enclave. Not checked against your VIN.
Side Impact Air Bags Wiring Connections
Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.
- Consequence
- Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.
90.6% repairedof 1,176,407 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V118000
Listed for 2012 Buick Enclave. Not checked against your VIN.
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM NUTS
Visibility · windshield wiper/washer · linkages
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE, BUICK ENCLAVE, AND GMC ACADIA VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SNOW OR ICE BUILDUP ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPER MAY RESTRICT THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, CAUSING THE WIPER ARM TO LOOSEN AND CAUSE THE WIPER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
- Consequence
- IF THIS OCCURS, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM NUTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2012.
Repair progress not yet reported47,846 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 12V151000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (132)
132 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
9involved a crash
0involved a fire
25injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 132 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24 | 18.2% |
| Structure | 24 | 18.2% |
| Air bags | 21 | 15.9% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 14.4% |
| Unknown or other | 19 | 14.4% |
| Steering | 17 | 12.9% |
| Power train | 13 | 9.8% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 5.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4.5% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2.3% |
How 2012 compares with other Enclave years
Best and worst Enclave years →2008536
2009220
2010275
2011212
2012132
201370
2014292
2015171
2016141
2017179
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 536 | 6 |
| 2009 | 220 | 8 |
| 2010 | 275 | 6 |
| 2011 | 212 | 6 |
| 2012 | 132 | 6 |
| 2013 | 70 | 4 |
| 2014 | 292 | 7 |
| 2015 | 171 | 5 |
| 2016 | 141 | 4 |
| 2017 | 179 | 3 |
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 16.9%★★★★☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Buick Enclave suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined
19
mpg combined
17
city
24
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 468 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year
Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Enclave for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Buick Enclave FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Buick Enclave have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 21V782000 (air bag), 21V246000 (air bag), 15V415000 (structure), 14V266000 (seat belt), 14V118000 (air bag), 12V151000 (visibility). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Buick Enclave problems?
Owners filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (24), Structure (24), Air bags (21) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Buick Enclave get?
EPA rates the 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 Buick Enclave get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Buick Enclave suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (16.9% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Enclave compare with other years?
Among the 2008–2017 Buick Enclave model years at least five years old, the 2013 drew the fewest complaints (70) and the 2008 the most (536). The 2012 drew 132. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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