Buick used to be the top name in luxury cars, but that’s no longer the case today. General Motors (GM) stopped producing non-SUV vehicles under the Buick name entirely in 2019 and now only has three Buick models in total: the Buick Enclave, Encore, and Envision.
This decline is largely due to GM’s reputation for producing vehicles with engine, transmission, and electrical problems. As GM’s manufacturing quality decayed, so did consumers’ trust in Buick vehicles. California buyers who invest in a Buick often find themselves with cars that don’t live up to the brand’s reputation and may not work at all.
California Buick owners can turn to Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys for help. Our Ventura law firm’s attorneys have years of experience in California lemon law claims, and we will use that experience to fight on your behalf. We have helped hundreds of GM owners receive compensation for their defective Buick vehicles, and we can help you, too. Call 866-761-2317 today to learn more.
Common Buick Lemon Law Claims
While the Encore, Envision, and Enclave have similar problems, they’re not exactly the same. If you own one of these vehicles, you should look out for common issues like:
- Electrical flaws: All Buicks and other GM vehicles experience issues with their electrical systems, including the head and taillights, dashboard gauges, and infotainment center console systems.
- Motor problems: GM is known for producing vehicles with faulty engines. Buicks, in particular, are known for issues with fuse block connections causing engine stalls and timing chains stretching and ruining the engine.
Other problems specific to each model include:
Buick Encore Problems
The Encore has been around since 2012. It was the first crossover released by the brand, but it has since been replaced by the Encore GX, a larger, roomier update. Buick doesn’t seem to know what it wants out of the Encore, which may be in part due to consistent manufacturing issues with the line. The two most important flaws for the Encore and GX are:
- Turbo faults: Every generation of the Encore has been produced with GM’s 1.4 L turbo engines, regardless of drive version. The turbochargers have a reputation for poor quality, with many failing entirely before the vehicle has reached 50,000 miles. A broken turbocharger can lead to serious performance issues, including poor acceleration, exhaust issues, and rapid oil consumption. In fact, a failed turbocharger can cause a domino effect that ruins the rest of the engine by burning through oil and starving the rest of the engine of necessary lubrication.
- Transmission failures: 194,105 Encores were recalled in 2020 for missing bolts on the start/stop accumulator endcap. This issue led to transmission fluid leaks, which made the cars a fire risk. Other common problems with the Encore’s transmission include delayed shifting, gear slippage, and grinding or whining noises. A failed transmission can cost thousands of dollars to replace and cause severe accidents if it fails in operation.
Buick Envision Problems
After the release of the Encore, Buick followed up with the Envision, a compact crossover SUV. This vehicle was first released in the US in 2016. Since then, it’s become known for two critical flaws:
- Transmission and gear issues: Many owners have complained about problems with the Envision’s transmission. These complaints include claims that the vehicle jerks and has inconsistent acceleration when getting to highway speeds. Other drivers find that the gears don’t shift correctly, making it difficult to avoid accidents and react quickly to changing conditions.
- Electrical problems: The Envision also has serious electrical issues. One driver filed an NHTSA complaint after his vehicle began running on its own while parked in the garage due to a faulty keyless start button. Problems with the starter also leave drivers unable to start their cars, stranding them.
Buick Enclave Problems
The Enclave is the largest Buick still in production. The three-row crossover is intended as a large family vehicle with luxury features, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always live up to its potential, with frequent problems such as:
- Engine issues: The Enclave is notorious for stretching its timing chain. The 3.6L V6 engine that’s intended to move this large SUV relies on the timing chain to keep the engine cylinders firing appropriately. When the timing chain gets stretched, the cylinders don’t fire on time, and the entire engine can be ruined when a cylinder throws a rod or backfires.
- Steering problems: The steering wheel is a driver’s primary control point over their vehicle. The Enclave’s many steering problems can make it dangerous to drive. For example, many Enclaves suffer from power steering failures, forcing drivers to wrestle with the wheel to turn and potentially causing accidents.
How California Lemon Laws Apply to New and Used Buick Vehicles
Buick owners in California don’t need to accept that their new (or new to them) car is unreliable or dangerous to drive. Under California warranty laws, manufacturers are obligated to repair, replace, or refund consumer vehicles with manufacturing flaws while under warranty.
If your Buick meets the following conditions, it might be a lemon:
- It has a significant defect that could cause serious injuries, and the warranty issuer wasn’t able to fix it after two tries
- It has any other manufacturing defect that affects its value or performance, and the warranty issuer wasn’t able to repair it after four tries
- It spent more than 30 days at the mechanic for repairs within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles after you bought it
This applies to brand-new vehicles and used cars with a dealership warranty. If any of these situations sound familiar, you may be able to pursue a lemon claim and get compensation for your unreliable vehicle.
Get Help with Your Buick Lemon Law Claim
If you own a Buick with manufacturing defects that never seem to go away, you can call Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys. Our expert lawyers will help you determine if your car qualifies as a lemon in California and what options you have to get it repaired, replaced, or refunded. You can learn more by scheduling a free consultation with our Southern California office by calling 866-761-2317 or filling out this online form.
