About this problem
Air bag complaints cover several different faults: bags that did not deploy in a crash, bags that went off without a crash, warning lights that stay on, and inflators that were recalled because they could rupture. The common thread is that the system is a safety device you cannot test yourself. A lit air bag light means the system has found a fault and may not work in a crash, so it should be checked promptly.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Buick Enclave since 2012, 559 (45.5%) describe air bag recall delays, making it the most reported problem we track on the Enclave. The reports cluster on the 2014, 2015 and 2017 model years, and the 2014 drew the most, with 185. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 43,000 and 109,000 miles. 31 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. 8 recalls are related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Most Enclave air bag complaints come from 2014 to 2017 owners waiting for front air bag recall parts, which were in short supply for a long time.
How it gets fixed
The recall repair is free at Buick dealers.
Typical cost: Free under recall.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Vehicle warning lights come on randomly - airbags, check engine, abs. They will light during drive time, then blink out for no apparent reason."
2014 Buick Enclave, 85,000 miles
"The passenger 'service airbag' light has been coming on. A dealer has looked at it twice now without a successful repair. The most recent was on 5/24."
2015 Buick Enclave, 67,000 miles
"Waiting in line at sonic driveway started reversing at breakneck speeds - finally stopped afte r jumping a curb and hitting a heavy pickup, air bags did not open malfunction of vehicle several days before the gear shift seemed sticky"
2017 Buick Enclave, 24,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia vehicles.
General Motors, LLC.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Buick has sent dealers 23 bulletins that mention this problem on the Enclave. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
15536 - special coverage.
This informational bulletin provides information on locating and reconnecting airbag connectors that are not fully seated to correct a customer concern of an airbag warning lamp illuminated, or one, or more, airbag dtc(s) set.
Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime Passenger Airbag Indicator On When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
Buick/GMC/Chevrolet: a message is displayed in driver information center (dic), service air bag, and airbag light on with many codes, could be caused by high resistance and crimping of terminals.
This preliminary bulletin provides a procedure to solder the terminals of the SIR connectors at the drivers and passenger seats to correct the customers concern of the air bag light on and service the air bag message displayed.
The informational bulletin explains how items on the passenger seat may cause the PPS to chime or the passenger airbag light turns on if electronic devices or conductive objects are placed on the seat.
Before you buy a Enclave
- Sit an adult in the passenger seat and check the passenger air bag 'off' light goes out.
- Watch that the air bag warning light goes out after start.
- Check by VIN for open air bag recalls.
Questions
Which Buick Enclave years have air bag recall delays?
Complaints are highest for the 2014, 2015, 2017 model years. The 2014 drew the most, with 185 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 80,000 miles, and half reported it between 43,000 and 109,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Free under recall.