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2008 Buick Enclave

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Enclave.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2008 Buick Enclave is an SUV paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA fuel economy of 16 city, 22 highway, and 18 combined mpg, with a 5.5-quart engine oil capacity specifying 5W-30 API viscosity. Across the model's complaint history spanning 2008 through 2026, this launch year stands as the highest-complaint year on record with 536 owner complaints—topped by the Air Bags category—alongside six recalls, compared to a low of just two complaints by 2026. That positions the 2008 Enclave as the least reliable model year in the lineup's history, giving researchers a clear baseline for the early production issues that subsequent years progressively moved past.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 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 · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. 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 · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12690386
Engine air filter15278634
Spark plug12681657
Battery88866309
Front wiper blades25941805 alt 25941804
Serpentine belt12608660
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 height72.8 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight4780 lb
Track (front / rear)67.3 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-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.

9.0–9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.00 sec — 2008 CXL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008CXL 3.6L V69.00 sec17.00 sec275 hpAWD
2008CXL 3.6L V69.20 sec17.10 sec275 hpAWD
2011CXL-2 3.6L V68.40 sec16.50 sec288 hpAWD
2013Premium 3.6L V68.50 sec16.70 sec288 hpAWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SAE 75W · SYNTHETIC in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4.2-6.3
Differential Gear OilSAE 75W · SYNTHETIC
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper and Lower: 17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 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 Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.30-2.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.5-8.0 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-225 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-60
Injector Primary Resistance11-14 @ 70 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression140
Engine Compression140
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket47
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs / 151 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.14 in / 0.79 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.14 in / 0.79 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.08 in / 0.72 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 15074 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 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 25,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission 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 2008 Buick Enclave, as the inaugural model of its generation, exhibits a disproportionately high federal complaint record of 536, more than double the 220 complaints seen in 2009 and far exceeding the generation's subsequent years. Across the generation's lifecycle, complaint volumes generally declined from this 2008 peak down to a low of 68 in 2013, before a secondary spike of 291 complaints occurred in 2014. For the 2008 model specifically, the data highlights significant trouble spots with Air Bags (85 complaints), Power Train (81), and Steering (65), alongside 13 crash and 10 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes of these failures. Sitting at the very top of the generation's complaint arc, the 2008 model clearly suffered the most severe early-production teething issues. Given its historically high complaint volume and concentrated safety-related concerns, this is a model year to avoid in the used market.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1116
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
536
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 10 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 536 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags85
Power Train81
Steering65
Structure44
Electrical System27
Engine22
Power Train,Engine19
Unknown Or Other18

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 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…

15V415000Structure:Body:Hatchback/LiftgateReported 30/06/2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1116 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
135982025-09-09Unknown Or OtherNew Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
PIC5650M2025-08-06Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown 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.

Group 48 batteryVehicles taking 5.5 qtEngine oil filter 12690386Engine air filter 15278634Spark plug 12681657Battery 88866309

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Enclave take?

5.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Enclave have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Enclave get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.