2009 Buick Enclave Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.26/5 Average
79 Total Reviews
This Year's Model Updates:

The 2009 Buick Enclave is equipped with a more powerful 3.6-liter V6 engine that offers 288 horsepower and direct-injection technology. New features this year include Bluetooth, real-time traffic for the optional navigation system and a 110-volt household-style plug.

Pros:
  • Attractive interior and exterior design, supple ride quality, spacious seating in all three rows, copious cargo space, easy to drive considering its size, excellent safety scores.
Cons:
  • Transmission can be hesitant to downshift, blinding interior chrome trim.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 79.00
  • Night mare - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    Bought it new 2009 1. All steering wheel hydraulic parts had to be replaced 2. Water pump went bad 3. Now transmission is gone.

  • Beautiful / Horrible - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    This car is cursed. We had a Yukon XL for 10 years and never had any issues. We have 80k miles or so on this vehicle and have spent around $10k in various maintenance and repairs. Weve had to replace the transmission 11 months ago and its currently in the shop because of a stutter it has in cruise on the highway (ignition coils?). We know our power steering is going out but its not bad enough that Buick will replace it under the extended warranty. Our heated seats only stay on for about 5 mins then go off. The instrumentation buttons (AC temp control) have worn incredibly fast (replaced them once already), have had a "stuck strut", replaced rotors, replaced the battery and some decorative adhesive molding on the window frames is bubbling up and shredding (looks horrible when you look at the drivers side of the car). All of this and our gas mileage is terrible also (13 in the city and 18 highway). I want to like this car - its really good looking but weve got to get rid of it and well avoid Buick. My recommendation, steer clear!

  • Whyyyyyyyyy? - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    Why does everything go wrong with this horrible car? It is never without a problem and is costing me every month for a repair. Has anyone had buick respond?

  • WORST CAR IVE EVER OWNED - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    I bought my car in Feb. 2014 with 28k miles on it... A month later the steering wheel started making a whining noise. I took it to the dealership and they said "that is common with those SUVs" and this was when the recall on the power steering came out. So I said ok, what if Im driving down the road and my power steering goes out? They said "then we will fix it." Thats safe! Fix the problem AFTER something bad happens... And shortly after this I had to replace the water pump (@ $385- which was the 2nd time it had been replaced and my car still had less than 40k miles!) Then, on my way to work one day a few months later my car made a terrible noise so I pulled over... The timing chains broke (thats great for the transmission)... So I had those replaced under special policy. A few months after that... my car was running TERRIBLY. The transmission was slipping. I took it to another dealership and they fixed the 3-5-R plate under special policy but then I needed my A/C fixed as well as a coil and spark plug replaced. I ended up paying over $475 this time. A month or so later... 2 more coils and spark plugs needed replaced as well as the front engine mount. I was quoted over $1100 and my car has 62k miles on it currently!! I got the car back after the repairs and the 2nd time I drove it it is saying "LOW OIL PRESSURE. STOP ENGINE!" So I give up. I am trading it. I dont feel comfortable selling it to someone individually! I am SICK that I have to trade because I was planning on driving this for a very long time! I have 2 children and they LOVE the DVD player. I love the back up camera and we couldnt ask for anything prettier or better on the inside! When you have a car that youre going to lose over $10k on it really makes you disgusted with the company! I have contacted GM and they say "I will note your issues" .... Its like oh thanks. Im glad youre taking the time to do that.. how about reimbursing me for all the money Ive spent in repairs, tows, missed time from work because my car wouldnt start, etc. etc.??? I will NEVER buy another GM car! Worst company ever.

  • Cylinders - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    Bought my car with 4000 miles in 2010. A year after I bought it it started kicking back when on cruise and going uphill. Took it in to dealership. They said they replaced this and that but every year after that I kept taking it back for the same problem of kicking back when going uphill. As soon as the warranty ran out I had to take it in again and this time ended up paying over $700 to fix two of the cylinders. Have tried cleaning out carbon. It is even worse now than it ever was. Cant drive it with cruise on because it has started kicking back even on straight flat roads. Check engine light constantly comes on and we have spent close to $1500 just trying to get things looked at to try and figure out the problem. Have called GM to try and have them reimburse my dollars and stand behind their product but they wont. For such a huge company, its too bad that they treat their customers this way. Im disgusted and now looking to get rid of it with 76K miles. I do not recommend purchasing this vehicle to anyone. I wont even try to sell it outright because I wouldnt feel right selling it to another innocent individual.

  • Expensive vehicle to own - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    I bought my 2009 Enclave used with 60K on the clock a year and a half ago. Since then had to replace high pressure fuel pump, battery, and just got it back from the shop after having BOTH catalytic converters replaced for check engine light and rough running. I have owned a bunch of cars in my life and never had a catalytic converter go bad, let alone two on the same car at the same time. Love the ride and gagetry but repairs very expensive. Definately not a do it your self repair vehicle. Mileage combined around 20. I expected a little better. The third Buick I have owned and may be the last. The extended warranty was useless. Only covered "internal" parts.

  • Beware! Unreliable! - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    I purchased my used 2009 Enclave approx. 6 months ago. Carfax report looked good and a friend of mine had one and loved it. I have loved and sang praises of my new car! I traded my 2009 Yukon XL for this car to save on gas and loved the downsize and savings. Since I purchased my Yukon brand new and never had issues, I opted out of the extended warranty on this car thinking I wouldnt have issues either. Boy was I wrong! Within a month one of the coil packs went out but it was replaced at no charge under dealership 30 day warranty. About a month and a half ago I started having transmission problems and my transmission needed to be replaced. Within two weeks of it being replaced started

  • Love the Enclave but hate my car - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    I wish these reviews were posted before I purchased mine in 2011. After buying the car, I had issues with the engine light (gas tank cap leaked), water pump, air not blowing cold (dealer still unable to locate the problem), I just had my transmission rebuilt (two shops said they have seen this with this vehicle, Traverse and Acadia) and a day after shelling out over $3K, my engine light comes on (possible catalytic converter)!!! I am tired of the problems but after spending all of this money, I cannot afford another vehicle. I seriously wish General Motors would look into all of these issues!

  • No Longer Own Ours... Buyer Beware!!! - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    When the Enclave is working properly, it is an excellent car. Quiet, comfortable, and fairly powerful for an SUV. However, there was rarely a time where everything was in proper working order. Our first major issue was the entire throttle body going out, which also caused the entire electrical system to crash, leaving us stranded on the side of a busy road, partially blocking traffic. This experience also gave us a chance to try out Onstar, which was worthless. The hazards also drained the battery after one hour, so they didnt work. After that, buttons snapped off, brakes needed replacement, transmission, and power steering prob. We just bought a fully loaded 2014 Infiniti QX60 and love it!

  • Enclave Woes! - 2009 Buick Enclave
    By -

    I purchased my 2009 Enclave in 2012 and in the first year I owned it, I have had the following problems: 1. Timing Chain, 2. Water pump, 3. Front Struts, 4. Rack and Pinion, 5. Power Steering Pump, 6. Engine Mount, 7. Washer fluid pump and 8 Transmission. And since the car never goes more than one week without a check engine light coming on (which disables the remote start), the remote start is not available most of the time. Other than that, I love the car.

Buick Enclave Reviews By Year:
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