A used Buick Enclave is a good buy if you want a quiet, roomy three-row crossover and you pick the generation on purpose: the 2018-2024 models use a 310-hp V-6 and the most cargo space, while the 2025 redesign uses a 328-hp turbo four and a big curved screen. Whichever you pick, clear the VIN. The 2020 model year has the most recall activity by far, including a cracked frame rail campaign, while 2023-2025 showed no campaigns at all when we checked in October 2026.
The Enclave shares its bones with the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia, and our used Chevy Traverse buying guide covers that side of the family. This page is about what makes the Buick different and what to check on a Buick specifically. If you are paying more in mid October 2026 for an Enclave than for a comparable Traverse, you want to know the extra money bought the Buick parts of the deal along with the badge.
2018-2024: the second generation
Per Car and Driver's 2018 review, the Enclave was redesigned for 2018 after a 10-year run, with a 310-hp 3.6-liter V-6 and a nine-speed automatic driving the front or all four wheels. The review praised the class-leading cargo space and comfortable ride, but said the interior fit and finish lagged its luxury rivals and that the wood trim looked chintzy. That is a fair summary of what you are buying. It is a big, smooth, comfortable crossover with seats for seven, not a Lexus. Sit in the third row yourself before you sign. Kids will be fine. Adults will tell you within ten minutes.
Recall activity in this generation is uneven by year. When we pulled NHTSA's model-year data on October 13, 2026, the 2018 Enclave showed no campaigns, 2019 showed one, 2020 showed six, 2021 showed two, 2022 showed one, and 2023-2024 showed none. So the 2020 is the one to be careful with, and a clean 2023 is the easiest paperwork in the bunch.
The 2020 Enclave recall list
The most serious 2020 entry is 19V-643, about 3,420 2020 Enclave and Traverse vehicles whose right-hand frame rail in the engine compartment may be cracked. GM's remedy was to inspect and, if necessary, replace the vehicle. If a 2020 shows that line open, stop and call Buick. 20V-639 covers about 2,781 GM crossovers, including the 2020 Enclave, whose fuel pump jet nozzle may have a plastic burr that limits fuel flow, and dealers replace the fuel pump module. 20V-446 covers about 769 GM vehicles whose roof rail air bag inflator diffuser may not be crimped properly. Two tire campaigns, 20V-684 and 21V-115, cover Continental tires that were overcured. On a 2020 still wearing original rubber, have the dealer check the DOT codes.
Across 2019-2020, 20V-668 covers about 194,105 GM vehicles whose start/stop transmission accumulator endcap may be missing bolts. On 2021-2022 Enclaves, 22V-210 covers about 89 vehicles whose roof rail air bag connector may not let the curtain bags deploy, and 21V-472 covered six 2021 vehicles that got the wrong air bag calibration software at a dealer. Those last two are tiny, but they are air bags. Because the parts overlap with Chevy, our Chevy recall check by VIN is a useful cross-check.
2025 and later: the third generation
Car and Driver's 2025 review calls this a full redesign into the third generation, with boxier styling, a 328-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four, an eight-speed automatic, and a 30-inch curved display. It shares the engine with the Traverse and Acadia, but Buick does not offer their off-road trims and adds extra sound deadening for a quieter cabin. Car and Driver lists less cargo space than the previous model among the downsides and timed a front-drive Avenir to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, a bit slower than the old V-6. Car and Driver's current Enclave page puts towing at up to 5000 pounds. The 2025 showed no recall campaigns in our pull. The 2026 shows up in 26V-114, a GM-wide campaign where dealers reset the radio so it can download the electronic owner's manual.
VIN, history and price
Decode the year and trim with our Buick VIN decoder, because Car and Driver says the top Avenir trim is where Buick keeps most of the luxury features, and sellers love to call lesser trims loaded. Use our guide on how to read a CARFAX report for title and accident lines, and look at Consumer Reports' Enclave page and the IIHS 2024 Enclave ratings for owner and crash data. As of mid October 2026, a CARFAX report through us is about $5.50 as a guest or $4.50 as a member, and a CARFAX plus AutoCheck bundle about $6.75, versus roughly $39.99 to $44.99 retail. Confirm at checkout. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck, or Experian. A seller's PDF with no VIN printed on it is not a history report.
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