Sell a broken or junk Buick Enclave

If your Enclave has a failed transmission, a dead engine or crash damage, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and that includes SUVs, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Enclave complaints by model year

Source: NHTSA owner complaints as of October 10, 2026. A 2023 Enclave has seen a small slice of a 2010's road time, so its count should keep rising. Recalls are listed by year, and multi-year campaigns repeat.

First generation, 2008-2017: the one that collects complaints

Wikipedia says production began April 11, 2007, at GM's Delta Township plant near Lansing, Michigan, on the Lambda platform shared with the Chevrolet Traverse. Every one used a 3.6 V6 and a 6-speed 6T75 automatic. These ten model years hold 2,228 of the Enclave's 2,501 complaints.

Launch years, 2008-2010. The 2008 tops all Enclave years with 536, led by the power train (103). On the 2009 and 2010, steering moves to the top with 99 and 111. Recall 09V073000 had dealers check that a shift cable clip was fully engaged on 2009 cars. Under recall 10V240000, dealers shut off and took out the heated washer fluid module on 2008-2009 Enclaves. Its 1,365,070 vehicles cover many GM models.

Air bags, 2014-2017. Air bags lead each of these four years, 564 complaints in all. Recall 23V334000 says the driver's air bag inflator on certain 2014-2017 Enclaves, Traverses and Acadias may explode during deployment. Dealers replace the module free, and GM began mailing final owner letters on February 23, 2024. The campaign counts 995,085 vehicles across all three models.

Other first-generation recalls worth a VIN check:

• 14V118000: increased resistance in side air bag harness connections on 2008-2013 cars, fixed with soldered connections.
• 14V266000: the lap pretensioner on 2009-2014 cars, inspected and replaced if needed.
• 15V415000: 2008-2012 Enclaves get new software for the power liftgate motor.

Second generation, 2018-2024

GM moved the Enclave to the C1XX platform shared with the GMC Acadia, with a 3.6 V6 and a 9-speed 9T65 automatic. Complaints drop sharply: 233 across seven years. The 2020 still had six recall campaigns. Under 20V668000, dealers inspected the accumulator in the start-stop transmission of 2019-2020 Enclaves and replaced it where bolts were missing, and two separate tire recalls (20V684000 and 21V115000) covered some 2020 cars.

Third generation, 2025 on

The newest Enclave uses a 2.5 turbo four-cylinder and an 8-speed automatic, built at the same Lansing plant. Wikipedia notes the 2025 Enclave earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+. It has 40 complaints so far, which says more about its age than anything else.

Worth repairing?

On a first-generation Enclave, the math usually turns on the transmission or engine.

1. Check your Enclave VIN with NHTSA's recall lookup. Air bag work on a 2014-2017 is free under 23V334000 if it was never done.
2. Transmission slipping or not engaging? Get a written diagnosis and quote. Our bad transmission guide explains the signs and the choice.
3. Bags already deployed? That often decides it. See selling after the airbags went off.
4. Set the quote beside the going rate for a running Enclave of your year and miles. Once the repair eats most of that, it makes sense to let it go.

Selling an Enclave as it sits

1. Have the VIN and mileage ready, plus a plain description of what's wrong.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where it is. An Enclave is a big vehicle, so mention if it's in a tight garage, on a slope, or won't roll. Pickup is free anywhere in the US.
4. Keep it in one piece, and flag any part someone already took off.
5. Still paying it off? Read still owe on the loan first. For plates and insurance afterward, see after you sell.

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