2019 Buick Enclave: Problems & Reliability
SOLID2019 Buick Enclave: SOLID — 45 owner complaints (0.88 per 1,000 sold), 1.1× the Enclave median year; top issue: powertrain / transmission (17 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2019 is 0.83, where 1.00 is a typical Enclave year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25). Severity drives it: 69% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, published U.S. sales, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2015–2026 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
45
NHTSA complaints
0.88
Complaints per 1,000 sold
766
Service bulletins
1
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2019 Buick Enclave problems
Powertrain / transmission is the clear leader, named in 38% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2019 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 17 | 38% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 27% |
| Engine | 12 | 27% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 22% |
| Steering | 4 | 9% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2019 Buick Enclave recalls
1 recall campaign on federal record for the 2019 (reported Oct 29, 2020).
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V668000 | Oct 29, 2020 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission |
2019 Buick Enclave service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 766 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2019 — close to the 703 of the median Enclave year from 2015 to 2026. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (145), engine & cooling (110), powertrain / transmission (92). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2019 vs. the year before and after
From the 2018 to the 2019, owner complaints fell 32% (66 → 45) — an improvement. The 2020 that followed rose 36% (45 → 61), so the 2019 is the cleaner of the two by count.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Enclave | SOLID | 66 | 1,025 | 0 | — |
| 2019 (this page) | SOLID | 45 | 766 | 1 | — |
| 2020 Enclave | CAUTION | 61 | 752 | 6 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Buick Enclave years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2019 Buick Enclave
Powertrain / transmission (17 complaints on the 2019): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Electrical system (12 complaints on the 2019): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Engine (12 complaints on the 2019): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Steering (4 complaints on the 2019): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Service brakes (3 complaints on the 2019): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm the campaign above was completed on this VIN.
Nearby Enclave years with a better rating: 2021.
Know what to pay for the right 2019 Buick Enclave — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2019 Buick Enclave reliable?
2019 Buick Enclave: SOLID — 45 owner complaints (0.88 per 1,000 sold), 1.1× the Enclave median year; top issue: powertrain / transmission (17 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2019 is 0.83, where 1.00 is a typical Enclave year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25).
What are the most common 2019 Buick Enclave problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2019 Buick Enclave are powertrain / transmission (17, 38%), electrical system (12, 27%), engine (12, 27%). The manufacturer has 766 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2019 Buick Enclave have?
1 recall campaign on federal record for the 2019 Buick Enclave, most recently 20V668000 (Oct 29, 2020, powertrain / transmission). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2019 Buick Enclave before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2019 Buick Enclave come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the per-1,000 rate divides complaints by published U.S. 2019 calendar-year sales; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.