2020 Buick Enclave Safety Report
2020 Buick Enclave Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Buick Enclave
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Buick Enclave. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (41) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Buick Enclave with 11 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Buick Enclave before buying across this generation. |
Buick Enclave Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Buick Enclave years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Buick Enclave | 19 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Buick Enclave | 37 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Buick Enclave | 11 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Buick Enclave | 56 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Buick Enclave | 17 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Buick Enclave | 177 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Buick Enclave Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Buick Enclave, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Buick onlyUnknown Or Other
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Buick onlyPower Train
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Buick onlyElectrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Buick onlySteering
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Buick onlyService Brakes
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Buick onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Buick Enclave
Reliability Score
The 2020 Buick Enclave receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Buick Enclave
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Buick Enclave
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Buick Enclave:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission Failure General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Buick Enclave, and 2018-2020 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel Pump Failure General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Front Exhaust Pipe Failure General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, 2018-2020 Buick Enclave, and 2021-2023 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. |
High | Rare | 20k-100k miles |
| Tire Sidewall Failure General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, and Escala vehicles. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Buick Enclave:
Front exhaust pipe and bracket issues are common, leading to recalls and safety concerns.
Fuel pump failures have been reported, leading to recalls and safety concerns.
Automatic transmission failures have been reported, leading to recalls and safety concerns.
Tire sidewall failures have been reported, leading to recalls and safety concerns.
Recall Details for the 2020 Buick Enclave
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Buick Enclave by NHTSA:
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Consequence: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800...
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this r...
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
Consequence: Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.
Summary: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Consequence: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked.
Consequence: A crack in the frame rail may reduce crash performance, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N192268310.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Buick Enclave
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Buick Enclave with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
Component/System Failed: Tire Sidewall (Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus+, Size: 255/55R20 107H). I am reporting a potential safety defect regarding my Continental tires. While my specific mold number (S-421232) is not currently listed in NHTSA Campaign 20T018000, the tires were manufactured in the same week (DOT 0420) and show symptoms consistent with the overcuring defect described in that...
The vehicle developed an exhaust leak caused by both weld points on the front exhaust pipe breaking. A dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the exhaust welds had failed, creating a hole in the exhaust pipe and triggering a P0420 catalyst efficiency code. The failure occurred at approximately 31,500 miles. The exhaust leak caused increased exhaust noise and emissions warning codes. ...
See attached document for complaint.
Dear NHTSA Safety Team, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding my 2020 Buick Enclave (VIN: [XXX] ). My vehicle has experienced repeated engine shutdowns while driving, creating a serious safety hazard. Vehicle & Incident Details: * Make/Model/Year: 2020 Buick Enclave * VIN: [XXX] * Mileage: ~116,834 miles (purchased at ~62,000 miles, used) * Purchase Date: [Insert Month/Year] * Deale...
Front exhaust flex pipes had to be replaced. It’s a common problem and a recall exists for the prior year.
I came to a stop in the left turn lane at an intersection with a red light with the car in drive and my foot engaged on the brake to wait for the light to turn green. The car suddenly and completely died and all power was shut down. I was not able to engage the hazards. It was dark outside and I was afraid cars behind me would hit me. It was an incredibly dangerous situation with no warning. I exi...
The front exhaust pipe bracket has broken. Upon investigation, this is an ongoing issue for 2018-2019, and 2021-2023 Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave models, but NOT 2020. All of the models use the exhaust system and same bracket, and it should be included as a special coverage. In fact, the attached picture of my vehicle will show that it is an identical break to those pictures used in the previo...
We bought this 2020 Buick Enclave from Pinegar Chevrolet in Republic, MO from the preowned side of the dealership. When we test drove it only in the parking lot it didn't make any noises, but as soon as we drove off the lot after purchase the brakes made a noise as if the anti lock brake system was not working properly making it difficult to stop as the car should. We also was told that since this...
The contact owns a 2020 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the evaporative emission system, vapor canister purge solenoid, and the control solenoid were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start, and the instrument cluster gauges wer...
The chest clip does not stay fastened. It comes unfastened with a very slight amount of pressure.
Front exhaust bracket detached from exhaust. An issue that has resulted in a hole in my exhaust. This same issue has been identified and warranty extended for 2019 and 2021 enclaves with the same engine and exhaust parts. Dealership wants to change $1000 to fix the issue.
Welds have broken loose from exhaust creating a hole and loud noise & strong exhaust smell
Bracket holding exhaust pipes broke and I'm told it is a hazard. It is over $400 to fix it, I paid almost $6,000 for warranty service contract when I bought my car which doesn't cover it. It looks like this same problem is listed for 2019 but not 2020 which would have covered it if you would list it as a problem for 2020 also. [XXX} Please review and hopefully others have let you know als...
The Front Exhaust got a hole and rusted through as in similar years. This Exact issue is covered for both the 2019 and 2021 Models of the Buick Enclave under a special coverage adjustment (N212356540 and N222385510), but not for the 2020 model. It would seem to follow that if the year prior and after both have this issue, then the middle year should also be covered under a special coverage as th...
2020 Buick Enclave mounting bracket separated from the front exhaust pipe which caused a hole to appear in the exhaust pipe. This is a known issue for 2019, 2021, and 2022 Buick Enclaves. No warning light The exhaust fumes along with Carbon Monoxide were coming through my ac vents for several months. There is no indication on when the mounting bracket separated.
The vehicle's exhaust intermediate pipe mount has broken has caused damage in the intermediate pipe requiring both the be replaced. The cracked exhaust allows exhaust fumes to enter the passenger compartment. A recall (N222385510) for 2021 Chevrolet Traverse has been made however is addressing this on only the 2021 models, even though the same issue is applicable to other models. On the this fo...
Vehicle would not go into park fortunately we were in a safe location to avoid a possible accident or injury. The vehicle has electronic transmission shifting. According to the dealership the park solenoid in the transmission valve body failed. This prevented us from putting the vehicle in park so it could safely be shut off. We were able to set electronic parking brake but ignition continued to...
After waiting at stop light with foot on the brake (auto stop not engaged) the light turned green. After releasing brake pedal and the car rolling approx 1 foot , then starting to accelerate, within 1-1/2 seconds the transmission went into park abruptly. The shift lever displayed “Park” and “Parking brake” on the DIC illuminated. This almost caused a rear end accident as it was so abrupt. If ...
Infotainment screen will appear black when it should be showing the image from the rear-facing camera, and is showing a red triangle and a circle with a line through it.
Steering wheel repeatedly locks while turning followed by loss of power steering. Also accompanied by warning messages such as "Service ESC", "Park Assist Off", "Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care", as well as the stability control and stability control off lights. Began in October 2023. Brought in to dealership 4 times in 5 months (waiting on loaner availability to bring in for a 5th t...
Showing 20 of 41 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Buick Enclave
Has the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE have?
The 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE has 41 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
The 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE involve engine (6 complaints), unknown or other (5 complaints), power train (3 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, steering, service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE out of 41 total complaints (4.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE is acceptable with caveats. It has 41 complaints, 6 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE are: 1. ENGINE (6 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (3 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), 5. STEERING (2 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
Be aware of potential power train, fuel system, and steering issues. Check for recalls and consider additional safety measures. The 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE has 41 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
The 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 41 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Automatic Transmission Failure and Fuel Pump Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE?
Known issues with the 2020 BUICK ENCLAVE include: Automatic Transmission Failure, Fuel Pump Failure, Front Exhaust Pipe Failure, Tire Sidewall Failure. These are based on patterns found across 41 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Buick Enclave?
Yes, there are recalls for automatic transmission, fuel pump, and front exhaust pipe issues.
What are the common problems with the 2020 Buick Enclave?
Common problems include front exhaust pipe and bracket issues, fuel pump failures, and automatic transmission problems.
What should I do if I experience issues with my 2020 Buick Enclave?
Check for recalls, consult with a mechanic, and consider additional safety measures.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential power train, fuel system, and steering issues. Check for recalls and consider additional safety measures.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Buick Enclave
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Buick Enclave. The data includes 41 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Buick Enclave an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13