2018 Buick Enclave: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2018 Buick Enclave? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 58 complaints, with Brake System as the top reported area.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Buick Enclave has 58 owner complaints, 5 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Brake System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Buick
- Model
- Enclave
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 58
- Crash-related complaints
- 5
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Brake System
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
Most Common 2018 Buick Enclave Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Brake System
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Brake System, Transmission / Drivetrain, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2018 Buick Enclave?
The 2018 Buick Enclave shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2018 Buick Enclave
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the brake system for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the brake system for any signs of wear or malfunction.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Buick Enclave, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2018 Buick Enclave are concentrated in the brake system, transmission/drivetrain, and engine, with a smaller number of electrical and other issues. The data suggests potential problem areas, but the low sample size and lack of recalls limit strong conclusions.
- Brake system accounts for the highest number of complaints among the 58 total.
- Transmission/drivetrain and engine problems are also frequently reported.
- Only 5 crash-related complaints were recorded, indicating a low rate of reported incidents.
- Brake system issues, including potential loss of braking power or unusual noises.
- Transmission/drivetrain problems, such as hesitation or rough shifting.
- Engine problems, including stalling or reduced power.
All 2018 Buick Enclave Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Buick Enclave. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 21 | 2 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 14 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Buick Enclave. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The air conditioning system failure prevents proper windshield defogging, significantly reducing visibility in humid or rainy conditions. Additionally, cabin temperatures become excessively high, causing driver fatigue and impaired concentration. This creates an unsafe driving co…
In December 2017 we were involved in a rear end collision so violent the spare tire was knocked out from under the vehicle. Our vehicle, 2014 Buick Enclave VIN [XXX] was struck in the rear. The lap belt held us secure, but the shoulder belt allowed us to be tossed forward. My…
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended, with a grinding sound coming from the transmission. A bystander pushed the vehicle to the side road, and …
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while stopped at a gas station; after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle was restarted but was unable to shift to drive(D). The contact attempted to shift to reverse(R) and the shift lever failed to respond. The contact st…
My vehicle has begun all us sudden flickering headlights from low beams to high beam when driving and also it ay the airbag safety light turn on with the locks also doing a closing and opening while driving.
The headlights continously and irregularly flicker between high and low beam while driving at night. I have no control over it and cannot turn off the high beams when they activate. This is highly annoying to drivers ahead me, as they believe I am trying to get their attention (o…
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that after picking up the vehicle from the dealer for a different failure, the exhaust pipe made an abnormally loud sound while driving. The check engine and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was t…
Several times I have been stopped at a red light, and my parking break will come on without me engaging it. I was almost hit by other vehicles the last time my vehicle did this. People were blasting their horns and speeding around me because I was unable to move my vehicle. Becau…
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated that while making a left turn, another vehicle jumped onto a curb and struck the rear end and rear tire of the vehicle. The front driver side, passenger side, and curtain air bags deployed. The contact was concerned about …
I am a [XXX] and owner of a 2018 Buick Enclave that suffered a catastrophic transmission failure which nearly killed me and my child. On Friday, [XXX], while driving westbound on [XXX] from Edison, NJ to my home in Easton, PA, my vehicle suddenly and without warning came to a com…
Wednesday August 6th 2025, I was coming home from work, the low engine compression and engine light came on the car was shaking and I lost power on a busy road, I had to pull it off the road quickly before I lost all power. I stayed there for a few minutes, then turned the car ba…
The torque converter is failing it seems this is far too common and dangerous with all Buick enclaves for this year. The vehicle shakes when applying the gas not having the power it needs to keep a steady speed without shaking. A mechanic stated the torque converter is bad known …
Check engine light was on due to the EVAP Purge Solenoid not sealing properly and causing a leak. Scan testing performed of the engine control module and diagnosed/cleared DTC P0496-00. Vehicle was brought to a dealership for repair.
mY VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS UNABLE TO PUT IN DRIVE
The brake system ABS module/sensor malfunctions- yes it is available for further inspection. Safety is an issue due to the ABS indicator light on. Yes, the problem/issue has been confirmed by a dealership. No inspections have occurred other than the dealership. The only warning i…
The car shuts off at random when coming out of autostop, the car will disable power steering when coming out of autostop to make turns making it difficult to turn the steering wheel. Coming out of autostop is typically when you are trying to go or make a turn. This has been an on…
My car starting sputtering on take off from stops, extremely dangerous if you’re trying to get out in traffic and keep up quickly from a stop. Then when I took it to get looked at it the mechanic said it needs a new transmission. Now my family is stuck because that’s our only veh…
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Enclave. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, and at various speeds, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was an abnormally loud high-pitched grinding or squeaking sound coming from the brakes. The contact stated that the nois…
Was driving at 35 MPH with no other cars or obstructions in front of me and the vehicle suddenly slammed on the brakes on its own and the throttle became inactive (would not respond to inputs). I don't know if the vehicle slammed on the parking brake or the service brakes. After…
8am, Stopped at intersection. Light traffic. Green light, increased speed to 15 mph, turning left and sunroof explodes. Luckily inside shade cover was closed so no glass was able to come down.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Buick Enclave.
2018 Buick Enclave Recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Buick Enclave. No recall campaigns are currently listed for this model year in the dataset, but VIN-level recall checks are still essential. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No recall campaigns found for this model year in the current data. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls directly for the latest information.
2018 Buick Enclave Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Buick Enclave reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 58 owner complaints, 5 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Buick Enclave shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Buick Enclave?▾
#1: Brake System (21 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (14 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (13 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Buick Enclave?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Buick Enclave?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Buick Enclave, NHTSA complaints include 5 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 58 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Buick Enclave have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2018 Buick Enclave in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2018 Buick Enclave?▾
The 2018 Buick Enclave shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Brake System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Buick Enclave reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Buick Enclave based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.