The 2014 Enclave with the 3.6L V6 is a comfortable three-row hauler plagued by catastrophic timing chain failures and persistent transmission fluid cooler leaks. When maintained obsessively, it can serve well, but many examples have grenaded engines before 100k miles.
Timing Chain Stretch and Engine Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough cold starts with loud rattling from front of engine for 2-3 seconds, Check engine light with P0008, P0011, P0014 (cam/crank correlation codes), Loss of power, misfires, or sudden no-start after warning signs ignored, Metal shavings in oil, catastrophic internal damage if chain jumps time
Fix: Timing chain replacement requires front engine teardown—chains, guides, tensioners, cam phasers, and often both VVT solenoids. If caught early: 12-16 hours labor. If chain jumped and valves kissed pistons: 35-45 hours for engine rebuild or replacement. This is the death sentence for most high-mileage Enclaves.
Estimated cost: $2,800-5,500 for chains; $6,500-9,500 for rebuild
Transmission Fluid Cooler Line Leaks
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under vehicle, usually passenger side near radiator, Low fluid causes delayed shifts, slipping, or harsh engagement, Rapid fluid loss can destroy transmission if driven unnoticed
Fix: The cooler lines at the radiator corrode and split. Replace both lines as a set—they run along subframe. If transmission ran low, expect internal damage. Line replacement alone: 2-3 hours. If trans is damaged from low fluid, add rebuild cost.
Estimated cost: $400-750 for lines; $2,800-4,200 if trans damaged
Transmission Range Sensor and Shift Linkage Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Won't start in Park, starts in Neutral instead, Gear indicator on dash shows wrong gear, Transmission goes into limp mode or won't shift out of Park, Check engine light with P0708, P0700 codes
Fix: Replace transmission range sensor on side of trans case—2 hours labor. Sometimes the shift cable bushing at transmission also wears out, requiring cable adjustment or replacement (add 1 hour).
Estimated cost: $350-650
Power Steering Fluid Leaks from Cooler Lines
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 75,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Power steering whine or groan, especially when cold, Low fluid reservoir, need frequent top-ups, Fluid drips near front passenger wheel well, Heavy steering effort if fluid runs critically low
Fix: High-pressure power steering cooler lines rust through where they run along subframe. Replace both pressure and return lines—3-4 hours labor. Also flush system and check pump if driven low on fluid.
Estimated cost: $450-850
A/C Condenser Corrosion and Refrigerant Leaks
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: A/C blows warm air, compressor cycles off, Slow refrigerant loss over months, Green dye visible at condenser fins (front of radiator)
Fix: Condenser mounted in front of radiator corrodes from road salt. Requires bumper removal, condenser replacement, evacuation, and recharge—4-5 hours. Common in rust-belt states.
Estimated cost: $700-1,200
Water Pump Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant seeping from weep hole on water pump, Sweet coolant smell after driving, Overheating if leak worsens and coolant level drops critically
Fix: Water pump is buried behind timing cover. If doing timing chains, replace pump simultaneously—it's already exposed. Otherwise: 6-8 hours to access. Do NOT skip this when doing chains.
Estimated cost: $650-1,100 standalone; $300-500 added to chain job
Engine Mount Failures (Especially Front Torque Mount)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle that smooths out when shifted to Neutral, Excessive engine rock visible under hard acceleration
Fix: Front torque mount (hydraulic) tears internally. Requires removing intake snorkel and working around A/C lines. 2-3 hours labor. Often need to do multiple mounts while in there.
Estimated cost: $400-750 for front; $700-1,100 for all three
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 miles with full-synthetic—timing chain life depends on it. Skipping changes accelerates chain stretch.
Inspect transmission cooler lines and power steering lines annually in rust-belt climates; catch corrosion early.
If you hear ANY cold-start rattle lasting more than 2 seconds, budget for timing chains immediately—don't wait.
Replace water pump preemptively if doing timing chains; it's 90% of the labor cost anyway.
Only buy if timing chains and trans cooler lines have been done with records—otherwise you're gambling on a $5k+ engine job within 20k miles.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 23V334000
2023-05-10 · EA16003
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. GM began mailing final owner letters February 23, 2024 and will continue mailing through December 2025. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232404980.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 21V782000
2021-10-07 · EA16003
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.
AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · 21V246000
2021-04-08
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2015, 2017 Buick Enclave, 2010-2019 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2011-2016 GMC Acadia vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not be properly attached.
Consequence: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, realign or replace the weld nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N202321200.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 14V614000
2014-10-01
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Consequence: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
SEAT BELTS · 14V266000
2014-05-20
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014, Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014, and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seatbelt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time.
Consequence: If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seatbelt may not properly restrain the seat occupant increasing the risk of an injury in a crash.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pretensioner, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. An interim notice will be mailed to owners in July 2014. A second notice will be mailed to owners once parts become available. The recall for the 2009-2010 model years began on July 11, 2014. The interim letter for the 2011-2014 model years were distributed on July 11, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14187.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured March 26, 2013, through August 15, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the engine control module (ECM) software may cause the fuel gauge to read inaccurately.
Consequence: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ECM to correct the fuel gauge reading, free of charge. The recall began on June 27, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14007.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · 14V092000
2014-02-21
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable adjuster may disengage from the transmission shift lever. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." They also fail to conform to FMVSS number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If a vehicle's shift cable disengages from the transmission shift lever, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the driver may be able to shift the lever to the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected transmission shift cable adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Buick owners at 1-800-521-7300, and GMC owners at 1-800-462-8782. General Motors' number associated with this recall is 14048.
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