2017 Buick Enclave Safety Report

The 2017 Buick Enclave presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, scoring 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, a significant concern arises from its recall history and complaint data. The vehicle has been subject to three recalls, all pertaining to the airbag system. Two recalls (NHTSA Campaign Numbers 17V-413 and 17V-414) address potentially exploding driver's airbag inflators, which could result in serious injury or death from metal fragments. A third recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 17V-415) concerns improperly attached side curtain airbags, increasing injury risk in a crash. NHTSA complaint data shows 177 total complaints, with a striking 139 (approximately 78.5%) related to AIR BAGS. Many of these complaints specifically mention the unavailability of parts for recall repairs, indicating a prolonged safety risk for owners. Beyond airbags, other components like the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), STRUCTURE (2 complaints), and SEAT BELTS (2 complaints) also appear, though in much smaller numbers. There are 6 reported crashes and 6 injuries, but no fatalities or fires. The high volume of airbag-related complaints, directly linked to critical safety recalls with potentially severe consequences, overshadows the otherwise strong crash test performance. The delay in recall remedies for the airbag issues is a significant safety concern. Other issues, such as a sunroof shattering and power train problems, are also noted in individual complaints, but the overwhelming pattern points to the airbag system as the primary safety vulnerability. In summary, while the 2017 Buick Enclave performs well in controlled crash tests, the unresolved and critical airbag recalls, as evidenced by the high number of related complaints and the stated unavailability of repair parts, pose a substantial and ongoing safety risk to occupants. Buyers should be aware of these unaddressed recall issues.

Our recommendation: Given the excellent crash test ratings but critical, unresolved airbag recalls with widespread part unavailability, exercise extreme caution. Verify all three airbag recalls have been completed before purchase, or be prepared for significant safety risks and potential delays in repair.