BuickEnclave2021Overview/buick/enclave/2021/base/

2021 Buick Enclave

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Enclave.

Transmission Automatic 9-spd

The 2021 Buick Enclave's powertrain centers on a 9-speed automatic transmission with EPA ratings of 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, and its engine takes 6.0 quarts of either 5W-30 or 0W-30 oil at service intervals. With just 24 total owner complaints and 2 recalls on record, this model year sits well below the 536-complaint peak logged in 2008 and far closer to the single complaint recorded for 2026, the most recent year in the Enclave's 2008–2026 complaint history. Service brakes lead the complaint areas for 2021, so while the broader trend across the nameplate shows complaints falling from hundreds to near-zero over nearly two decades, a buyer evaluating this specific year should pay particular attention to brake-system maintenance and recall status.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255/55R20 107HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742
Engine air filter23321606
Spark plug12681660
Battery88864542
Front wiper blades84580856 alt 84580859
Serpentine belt12647764
Thermostat12681133
Cabin air filter13540923 alt 13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 9-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length204.3 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase120.9 in
Curb weight4614 lb
Track (front / rear)67.3 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Enclave of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2022 Avenir
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Essence ST 3.6L V66.60 sec15.10 sec310 hpAWD
2022Avenir 3.6L V66.50 sec15.00 sec310 hpAWD
2018Avenir 3.6L V66.60 sec15.20 sec310 hpAWD
2018Avenir 3.6L V67.00 sec15.40 sec310 hpAWD
2018Avenir 3.6L V67.20 sec15.60 sec310 hpAWD
2025Avenir 2.5L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.10 sec328 hpFWD
2025Avenir 2.5L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.60 sec328 hpFWD
2025Avenir 2.5L Turbo I-47.90 sec16.10 sec328 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.3 - 6.3 QTS
Brake FluidDot 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Engine OilSynthetic · 5W-30 · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Transfer Case FluidAC Delco Power Transfer Unit Oil
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity.90 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs11.0 ft-lbs
Torque Converter Bolts44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug8.83 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.43 lbs
Oil Capacity7.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 23.0-; Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.5
Minimum Pad Thickness0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .827
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.102; Rear: .866
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .001; Rear: .002
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Use a new retaining nut. Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 244.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

3199.0
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Use a new retaining nut. Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 244.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

3199.0
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
153.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 45°53 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Buick Enclave logged 24 federal complaints and 2 recalls, representing a distinct improvement over the 54 complaints in 2020, though slightly higher than the 12 complaints in 2022. Across the vehicle's generation, the data reveals a steep downward arc from severe early-production issues—peaking at 536 complaints in 2008—into a highly stabilized, low-complaint second generation. The 2021 model sits well within this mature, refined phase, where its top complaint areas of Service Brakes (6), Power Train (2), Seat Belts (2), and Electrical System (2) appear isolated rather than systemic, as the data does not specify a common root cause. With zero crash or fire complaints and a minimal recall footprint, this model benefits from the resolution of past generation flaws. Consequently, the 2021 Enclave is an excellent year to buy, offering used buyers a statistically reliable entry into the lineup without the historical baggage of earlier model years.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
654
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
24
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes6
Power Train2
Seat Belts2
Electrical System2
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System,Structure2
Structure1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V472000Air Bags:Sensor:Frontal ImpactReported 24/06/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave vehicles. During service by dealers, certain vehicles may have received incorrect air bag calibration software that may affect… Remedy: Dealers will update the air bag calibration software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 29, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…

22V210000Air Bags:Side/Window:CurtainReported 31/03/2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021-2022 Buick Enclave vehicles. The harness connector to the left or right side roof rail air bag may have incompatible electrical… Remedy: Dealers will replace the harness connector to the roof rail air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 654 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIC6423A2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherPi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
N25-2505522026-03-20Unknown Or OtherImprovements to OnStar functionality.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Enclave. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Enclave take?

6.0 qt of Dexos1 Synthetic 5W-30 is preferred but 0W-30 may be used for temperatures below -20°F, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Enclave have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Enclave get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.