BuickEnclave2016Overview/buick/enclave/2016/base/
FWD platform

2016 Buick Enclave

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Enclave.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2016 Buick Enclave is a front-wheel-drive SUV with a six-speed automatic transmission, an engine oil capacity of 6.0 quarts using 5W-30 or 0W-30 viscosity, and EPA ratings of 15/22/17 mpg. Within the model's 2008–2026 complaint history, this model year generated 140 owner complaints—far below the 536-complaint peak of 2008—with air bags as the top complaint area and four recalls on record. That complaint volume places it in a comparatively moderate position within the Enclave's documented reliability timeline.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

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
EPA fuel economy15/22/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 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 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255/60R19, P255/55R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0-JJ, 7.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742
Engine air filter15278634
Spark plug12681660
Battery88866309
Front wiper blades20945800 alt 20945799
Serpentine belt12654815
Thermostat12689041
Cabin air filter20958479

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height71.7 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight4923 lb
Track (front / rear)67.3 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 22 / 17 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.

7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2016 Premium
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Premium 3.6L V67.90 sec16.30 sec288 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
2013Premium 3.6L V68.50 sec16.70 sec288 hpAWD
2020Essence ST 3.6L V66.60 sec15.10 sec310 hpAWD
2011CXL-2 3.6L V68.40 sec16.50 sec288 hpAWD
2022Avenir 3.6L V66.50 sec15.00 sec310 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, SAE 75W · GL-5 · Synthetic in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 15.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidDEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.0-6.0
Automatic Transmission FluidDEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.5-6.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity0.981
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · GL-5 · Synthetic

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings18.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft/lbs.
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission43.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts55.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub173 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub151 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

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-225 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)43-58 psi at idle psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-100
Engine Compression100 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 47; Rear: 20 /; Front: 47; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129; Rear: 129 /
ABS Sensor Torque7 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.080; Rear: .720
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.090; Rear: .730
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts:150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; 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) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
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 2016 Buick Enclave represents a mid-cycle refinement point within its generation, with federal complaint volumes continuing a downward trend from the 2014 spike (290 complaints) to a relatively low 140 in 2016—below the model’s 12-year average. Recalls also decreased to four, matching the 2013 count and falling below the 5–8 range seen in prior years, while no federal investigations were opened, consistent with the post-2015 pattern. The overwhelming concentration of complaints in airbag systems (107 of 140) mirrors a broader industry-wide issue during this period, though the data does not specify root causes. Compared to 2015 (170 complaints, 5 recalls) and 2017 (178 complaints, 3 recalls), the 2016 model year shows modest improvement in reliability metrics, with no reported fire-related complaints and minimal crash-related issues. This positions the 2016 Enclave as one of the more stable years in the generation, particularly as later years (2018–2021) saw even lower complaint volumes but also fewer recalls, suggesting incremental refinements. **Takeaway: The 2016 Buick Enclave is a favorable used purchase, offering a balance of lower complaints and recalls relative to earlier years, with the caveat that airbag system history should be verified before buying.**

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1147
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
140
Owner complaints
2 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 140 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags107
Power Train5
Unknown Or Other4
Engine3
Structure3
Steering3
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine2
Air Bags,Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V782000Air Bags:FrontalReported 07/10/2021

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. 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…

15V833000SeatsReported 11/12/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured November 6, 2015, to November 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a the third row… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third row left side lower seat frame, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1147 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

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 2016 Enclave take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 meeting GM Dexos 1 specification or equivalent. Where temperatures fall below -20 degreesF, GM recommends using either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAN 0W-30 oil., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Enclave have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Enclave get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined mpg.