2012 Buick Enclave — Full Specifications
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The 2012 Buick Enclave is an SUV powered by a 3.6L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) / 19 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 22–23 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Buick Enclave workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Buick Enclave: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 23 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 5★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.6L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 23 combined / 20 urban / 29 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 19 combined / 17 city / 24 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 291 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Buick Enclave, all with the 3.6L 6-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 18 to 19 mpg (US), or 22 to 23 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/22) | 307 | $3,700 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/24) | 291 | $3,550 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Buick Enclave
Running Costs: 2012 Buick Enclave
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Buick Enclave at 23 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,581 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Buick Enclave Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Buick Enclave (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Structure (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Air bags — campaign 21V782000, reported 7 October 2021. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 21V246000, reported 8 April 2021. Risk: Unsecured side curtain air bags may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Structure — campaign 15V415000, reported 30 June 2015. Risk: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.
- Seat belts — campaign 14V266000, reported 20 May 2014. Risk: 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.
Showing the 4 most recent of 6 campaigns.
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Buick Enclave. The most-reported areas are Engine (24), Structure (24), Air bags (21). Complaints include 9 reported crashes, 25 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 65 complaints across the 17 Buick Enclave model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Buick Enclave
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (3 recall campaigns · 21 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Body structure (1 recall campaign · 24 owner complaints) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
- Engine (24 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Seat belts (1 recall campaign) — Check every belt latches and retracts properly and that any restraint recalls were completed.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Buick Enclave compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 23 mpg figure is 4 mpg below that average. Its 291 g/km CO₂ figure is 38 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Buick models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Buick Enclave's 23 mpg is 6 mpg below that make average. Its 291 g/km CO₂ figure is 58 g/km higher than the 233 g/km Buick average.
Of the 17 Buick Enclave model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 10th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (23 mpg UK combined, against a high of 28 mpg). See every Buick Enclave year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Buick Enclave
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Buick Enclave have?
It's fitted with a 3.6L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 6-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Buick Enclave?
The most efficient configuration returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, or 19 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 22 to 23 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Buick Enclave cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,550 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Buick Enclave have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Buick Enclave have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Buick Enclave (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (3), Structure (1), Seat belts (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Buick Enclave?
Among the 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (24 complaints), Structure (24 complaints), Air bags (21 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Buick Enclave's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 23 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.