2010 Buick Enclave Engine Problems

I am filing this safety complaint regarding a sudden and dangerous engine failure in a 2010 Buick Enclave CXL purchased from Frankfort Car Outlet on 8/25/2025. On 10/25/2025, while driving on the expressway, the engine suddenly began knocking, lost power, and stalled. This created a serious safety risk to myself and other drivers. The failure occurred only 60 days after purchase and approximately 2,000 miles later, suggesting a pre-existing internal defect that the dealership did not disclose. The dealership has refused to inspect the vehicle, acknowledge the safety risk, or assist in any way. This type of sudden engine failure could pose a serious hazard if similar vehicles have the same issue, and I believe NHTSA should be aware of the potential risk.

The engine and fuel pump system failed while driving the vehicle. It is available upon request to inspect. I just towed it to the shop today on 10/22/25 to get a full inspection. My sister and I were put at risk while driving towards a hill in San Francisco. It was on a busy main road when suddenly the vehicle began to jerk and thud back and forth. While I pushed the gas pedal, I began to question why the vehicle was suddenly reacting this way. In efforts to pull over to the side, a huge smoke fog began to come out of the exhaust pipe. As I tried to reach the curb the car didn’t want to move any further as I pushed on the gas. I put it in park and called the tow truck (receipts below) while there were cars passing me by almost causing an accident. I have looked online to see if there was a problem or recall with this vehicle having the same issue I was having. Come to find out there was a recall issued for certain vehicles only, with the same issue as my vehicle. The vehicle was taken into a local auto shop, where they diagnosed it and inspected it. The reports show it has the same exact issues with the car as those that were recalled. No there were not any warning signs nor failure signals. Due to this reason, I was completely caught off guard.

Car was running just fine had its oil changed new tires added and it just stopped running. Got it checked with a car technician and he stated it’s the engine.

Timing belt chain

THE 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE HAS BEEN WELL KEPT. I HAD JUST PURCHASED IT AND ONLY DROVE IT FOR 2 MONTHS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70MILES PER HOUR THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST POWER DOWN TO 40MILES I HAD TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY. ALMOST HIT. THE HOLE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN JUMMPED AND LOCKED UP YOUR MOTOR IT WILL BE 10 THOUSAND TO FIX I DONT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY SO NOW I M PAYING A LOAN ON A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK.

TIMING CHAIN FAILED IN AUGUST 2017 AT 87K MILES. OVER $4,000. FAILED AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2020 AT 120K MILES. DEALER ONLY CHARGING $400-500 DUE TO MY INSISTENCE AND MY DESIRE TO GIVE THEM A POOR REVIEW IF THEY DID NOT HONOR THE REPAIR.

WELL WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE VEHICLE DEAD STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THIS MAY NOT SEEM UNUSUAL, BUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPORTED FOR THE SAME ISSUE, P0008 WHICH IS A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE COMMON WITH THE 3.6L VVT ENGINE THAT IS SHARED ACROSS ALL MODELS. MY WIFE AND CHILD WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME AND WERE ABOUT TO BE HIT BY ON COMING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, THE VEHICLE COMING TOWARD THEM WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. THE VEHICLE BLOCKED TRAFFIC FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE DESCRIBED PROBLEM IS A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN, BUT MY RESEARCH HAS ELUDED THAT GM HAS HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH MULTIPLE MODELS OVER MULTITUDES OF MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE OFTEN LEADS TO A HEFTY REPAIR BILL UPWARDS OF $3500 OR EVEN MORE. IN MY OPINION WITH MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS VEHICLE OR MODELS THAT SHARE THE SAME ENGINE, THE PROBLEM CAN LEAD TO POSSIBLE SAFETY CONCERNS FOR A DEAD STOP WHILE DRIVING. A VEHICLE COULD POSSIBLY BE ON ICY, WET, ROAD CONDITIONS AND COULD CAUSE A GREAT DEAL OF MORE INJURIES. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FOR MODEL YEARS FROM 2008 - 2020. THE ENGINE HAS NOT CHANGED. THIS ENGINE IS NOT ONLY SHARED WITH THE BUICK ENCLAVE, BUT THE CHEVY TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, BUICK LACROSSE, AND THE LIST GOES ON. DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE DESIGN ISSUE. I'M GLAD THAT MY FAMILY IS OK. NOW, I HAVE A HEFTY $3500 REPAIR THAT I NEED TO TAKE CARE OF FOR A CAR THAT I STILL OWE MONEY ON. GM NEEDS TO GET IN FRONT OF THIS AND PROVIDE SOME TYPE OF RELIEF FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE. IN 2011 GM RELEASED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 10287 WHICH DIDN'T WORK THEN IN 2012 GM RELEASED A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT (#11340C) EVEN WHEN PROPER OIL CHANGES ARE DONE. PLEASE LOOK INTO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. JOHN PAUL'S BUICK GMC (3615 S 108TH ST, GREENFIELD, WI 53228, (414) 482-6246) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5585597823. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,753.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED. STUDEBAKER BUICK GMC (3200 E MAIN ST, RICHMOND, IN 47374, (765) 962-0505) DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS BEING STRETCHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2,000 AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL BACK WITH THE FINAL ESTIMATE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,800.

THE AIR CONDITIONER HOSE WAS MELTED WHERE IT TOUCHES ANOTHER HOSE, THERE WAS AN ACADIA AND A TRAVERSE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED BUICK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, I WAS TOLD ONLY YUKON HAD THE RECALL. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS, THEY ARE BASICALLY THE SAME. THEY KNOW THESE HOSES RUN TOO HOT NOT TO BE SEPARATED OR AT LEAST INSULATED. THE PART COSTS AN INSANE $861 DOLLARS. ALL OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED OR CORRECTED.

The engine was built with the same components as the 2008/2009 models and they have been recalled, the oil drains out of the engine rapidly and causes engine to seize and had to be replaced.

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT START, I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED IT NEEDED AN ENGINE, THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2008, 2009, 2010 BUICK ENCLAVES, BECAUSE OF THE OIL PUMP DRAINING THE ENGINE OF OIL IT SEIZED THE ENGINE. I CALLED GM AND ASKED WHY THEY HAVEN'T RECALLED THE 2010 ALONG WITH 2008, AND 2009 MODELS WITH THE SAME ENGINE AND ISSUE. THEY SAID ITS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BUT THERE IS NO FUTURE DATE IF OR WHEN THE 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE WOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE ENGINE- OIL FAILURE! THIS COST OVER $4800 DOLLARS TO GET FIXED, I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP LESS THAN A YEAR PRIOR, VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH DEALER FOR NOT MAKING ME AWARE TO CHECK OIL EVERY FEW DAYS SO THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN. I ALSO JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGE DONE A MONTH BEFORE THE ENGINE SEIZED!

TODAY I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, AS I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF WORK TICKING NOISE STARTED AND THEN CAR DIED RIGHT ON A HILL BLOCKING TRAVEL, IT WOULD NOT RESTART, SO I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ENGINE BLOWN DO TO TIMING BELT WEAR...ALL MY OIL WAS SUCKED INTO ENGINE (JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE 2 MTHS AGO) AND BLEW THE MOTOR! THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, MODEL OF BUICK, WHY IS NO ONE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL! I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ENGINE, NOR A NEW CAR, I JUST PURCHASED THIS USED AT HURD BUICK IN RHODE ISLAND 5/2017 EXPLAINED NEEDED DEPENDABLE CAR, I'M A SINGLE PARENT WORKING FULL TIME AND THEY GAVE ME A LEMON KNOWING FULL WELL THE ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MIDEL! NHTSA NEEDS TO MAKE GM ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CONSUMER OF 2010 MODELS LIKE THEY DID WITH THE 2008-2009 MODELS THIS IS SO UNFAIR. I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK...I DON'T KNOW WHAT OR HOW I'M GETTING AROUND NEXT WEEK!

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ORIGINALLY READ THE CODES AS CYLINDER MISFIRE 1,3,5. TIMING CHAIN INSIDE THE ENGINE IS STRETCHED AND MEANS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AT 145K MILES. VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE.

THE INITIAL COMPLAINT WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A REPAIR WAS MADE THAT DIDNT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WHILE DRIVING AND IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 47,000 MILES ON IT.

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON 2010 ENCLAVE WITH 56,601 MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRANK BOUCHER CHEVROLET (8600 WASHINGTON AVE, MT PLEASANT, WI 53406, 262-417-7004) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE VACUUM MOUNT SOLENOID FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

3.2L V6 ENGINE DROPPED A VALVE AND BLEW THE ENGINE. IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THAT YEAR MODEL. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND STOPPED PULLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD NOT PULL. ONCE GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER AGAIN. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND SAID IT DROPPED A VALVE. WAS ONLY ABLE TO FIND A PIECE OF THE VALVE LEFT WITHOUT GOING COMPLETELY INTO THE MOTOR. NOW SELLING THE CAR FOR SCRAP.

PURCHASED 2010 BUICK ENCLAVE NEW ON 8/17/08. HAD 48800 MILES ON IT, ON 1121/16 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODE P0008. TOOK IT IN GARAGE & DISCOVERED TIMING CHAIN HAD EXCESSIVE WEAR PLUS REPLACED BOTH CAMSHAFTS, VALVE COVERS GASKETS, TIMING COVER GASKET, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET & ETC. WAS FIXED FOR $3536.80. ON 5/21/18 AT 59050 ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WITH CODE P0017 TOOK IT BACK IN FOUND TIMING CHAIN HAS EXCESSIVE WEAR AGAIN REPLACED BOTH INTAKE & EXHAUST ACTUATORS WITH CAM., INTAKE MANIFOLD SET, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, TIMING CHAIN BECAUSE IT WAS PREMATURELY WORN, & CAM ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. SENT ALL DOCUMENTATION TO GM BUT THEY BASICALLY LAUGHED AND SAID SORRY OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO FORCE THEM TO DO A RECALL & REIMBURSE US FOR ALL THE TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS. AT THIS RATE WE WILL BE REPLACING TIMING CHAIN EVERY 10000 MILES. THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS ENGINE AS THERE IS EVIDENCE OF MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT.

THIS VEHICLE WITH 89000 MILES HAS JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM, AND WE HAVE BEEN QUOTED A PRICE OF $2800 TO EFFECT A REPAIR THAT OBVIOUSLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. AT THIS MOMENT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A CATASTROFIC FAILURE WHICH WOULD NECESSITATE AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT . WE THINK THAT IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT GM KNOWING OF THIS FAILURE HASN'T REACHED OUT TO THE VICTIMS AND OFFERED A SOLUTION TO THI BURDENING PROBLEM FOR FOLKS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE THAT IS NECESSARILY DEPENDED UPON. IT LOOKS TO US THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS IN ORDER TO FORCE GM TO FIX THEIR MISTAKES. IT IS GALLING TO NOTE THAT LOTS OF OLDER FOLKS HAVE TRIED TO STAY LOYAL TO U.S. MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN MISPLACING THEIR LOYALTIES. THE SUIT AGAINST THE SATURN VUE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE A GOOD EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW. ANYONE AGREE?