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Chart based on 115 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
Hard down shift, but we did the 30k service and drove with tech all wired and no indication of transmission issue. We will monitor as there may be an issue with some of the shifting in the transmissions
55000 mi
US $230
replaced fluid with Wyman's not OEM at dealership. This actually fixed the transmission slipping problem that we have been reporting for three years. Also replaced Bridgestone new tires with Michelins MS. The Michelins, traction is far better with this high torque engine. Recommend this to all Buick FWDs.
Had a slight oil leak from delivery date. Would find a small stain on the driveway. Dealer found leak at the left transmission c/v shaft seal. Replaced seal and leak fixed.
Transmission began slipping. I exited highway and transmission failed completely, leaving car unable to move under its own power. Replaced the failed transmission with a rebuilt unit.
146000 mi
US $152
Three days after I had gotten the car back after the completely failed transmission had been replaced by a GM-supplied factory rebuilt transmission, the car started having intemittent transmission slippage. My ODB II scanner showed a code related to something called an "internal mode switch." The repair shop which had installed the transmission had gone out of business on the very day I picked the car up, but my former service advisor there sent me to the local Buick dealer, Pearson Buick-GMC in Sunnyvale, CA. Dealer service personnel replaced the valve body plate and the internal mode switch.
Another mechanic said it was transmission. Transmission shop kept it for 3 days, checked it out and just put some lubricant in it and said was good to go.
Replace leaking front axle seals P/N 19258265, 19258266,
97000 mi
US $120
Sounds like driving over rumble strips, makes wired noise and seems like tranny is slipping. Happens ay 40 to 45 and I have let off the gas and the car runs fine seems to happen when engine is cold
35000 mi
Excessive brake dust/grease on right front wheel
Leaking right front drive shaft
Replaced right front wheel drive shaft
Transmission was slipping at slow speeds.
CAUSE: K7403 1-2-3-4 Clutch Plate Replacement, 1-24237074 CLUTCH, 2 -24238272 PLATE, 2-24223728 PLATE, 1-24259063 PLATE, 1-24256112 SEAL KIT, 1-89021182 FLUID, 1-24245131 PISTON Transmission was slipping at slow speeds.
CAUSE: K7403 1-2-3-4 Clutch Plate Replacement, 1-24237074 CLUTCH, 2 -24238272 PLATE, 2-24223728 PLATE, 1-24259063 PLATE, 1-24256112 SEAL KIT, 1-89021182 FLUID, 1-24245131 PISTON
97700 mi
Car was experiencing a periodic slight shudder, similar to driving over rumble strips but less severe. Would also experience periodic jerks along with the shudder. Problem was in torque converter. Replaced w/re-man under warranty.
98000 mi
Leaking seal between transmission and transfer case. Seal was re-used in prior reported repair. Dealer replaced seal at no charge.
1000 mi
Transmission would not go into 4th - 6th gears and reverse. Replaced seals in the trans. and new gaskets and fluid.
Transmission cooling line leakage where hose and pipe were connected. Replaced entire line and hose.
82000 mi
check engine light on;transmission not reading correct gear selected; replaced transmission internal mode switch, lever, pin and fluid
9521 mi
Replaced steering gear. Could have been the "rack" but not exactly sure.
25130 mi
Apparently was a computer problem. Replaced shaft position switch assembly. Transmission stuck in 2nd gear. Replaced shaft position switch assembly which was sending erroneous signals to the computer.
93000 mi
US $1300
Replaced both front axles
60300 mi
Check engine light came on, car struggled to move. Eventually ran as normal but light reamined on. Code P182E was detected by mechanic. Replaced tranmission internal mode switch.
64000 mi
US $503
Transmission cooling lines were leaking. 2 lines were replaced.
trans will not shift properly.Will not shift into 6 gear after several hours of driving.Engine cooling fans do not seem to shut down during cold temps.
Car is still currently in the shop. Torque tube has been replaced and determined not to be the issue causing driveline noise. They are currently replacing the rear differential.
63000 mi
They told me it was a bad wave plate. Still under warranty
63000 mi
same problem as last month. The wave plate replacement did not fix the problem. Multiple times since, I have not been able to get the car to move. Took to dealer, first they said it was the battery, then said they couldn't find anything. after getting no satisfaction in terms of successful repair, having the vehicle not move when put in reverse or drive, and having dealer tell me nothing was wrong with the car, I traded it in.
78300 mi
Trans start top shift erratically then progressively got worse and worse until it was more or less undriveable. i do not remember exactly, but i think a clutch plate broke.
Apparent failure of Pressure sensor in the Transmission Control Module (P0752). CEL and transmission went into limp mode, second and reverse only. GM has issued a service bulletin for this failure mode.
81000 mi
Another transmission rebuild. Repairing dlr stated that the dlr who did last repair (10k iles ago) didn't do it correctly
Transmission blew on a back road in Oklahoma with only 60000 miles on car. It is the result of a known issue with the 2008 Enclave--a defective wave plate. Transmission so damaged, it could not be rebuilt.
34300 mi
Wave plate failure. 3-5-R waveplate.
128000 mi
US $60
fixed with repair kit the TCM pressure plates
86267 mi
US $4701
Replaced Transmission with GM remanufactured transmission(3 yrs- or 100,000 miles) Also they did a Front and Rear Alignment. Note only 86,267 miles, (the extended warranty was 10yrs or 100k, just over 1 year of the 10years wasn't very happy, but to date(02 2022) no other transmission problems and getting better mileage(18-19mpg in town and up to 23+mpg on trips)
109244 mi
US $535
Also discovered rip in front axle cv joint boot (leaking grease), replaced right front CV axle.
84000 mi
Car would not drive above 20 mph, took in to dealer and they fixed after a week with no charge. Transmission replaced December 2013 under extended warranty.
99000 mi
US $350
Wave plate
178000 mi
US $4560
worn cv joints
51700 mi
Rear seal of transmission replaced as it was leaking; wave plate replaced.
87000 mi
US $1400
The valve body in the transmission had to be replaced. The vehicle was hesitating to go into drive - and then began only going into first gear without changing to second, etc. Limped it to dealership under its own power.
99000 mi
US $700
Left front axle/CV joint leaking and making lots of popping sounds when turning. Had both sides replaced.
28700 mi
Leak in transmission cooler line. Replaced under warranty
50840 mi
Complete failure of transmission. Had vehicle towed to a GM dealer who did a complete rebuild. Extended warranty has expired so my cost was $3600.00 (discounted). That was a hard pill to swallow seeing the low mileage.
28000 mi
Both left & right axle shaft seals were leaking.
93300 mi
Transaxle seal(s) leaking at transfer case. Repaired under the 100,000 drivetrain warranty.
124000 mi
US $3200
Transmission failure. Another victim of GM's famous transmission "wave plate" problem. No reverse and would not shift out of low gear. I believe that this is a known problem to GM but they are yet to step up.
4000 mi
Transmission reflash and front tire well replacement.
1240 mi
TSB update that I found (not the dealer, in fact, they couldn't find it at all until I gave them the TSB#). Transmission has poor shifting, flash update but there will be another one, mark my words.
1000 mi
Reflashed the software for the transmission
50000 mi
The check engine light came on and the vehicle started making a revving noise when in motion. The transmission control module needed to be replaced.
1000 mi
engine and transmission reflash
86000 mi
Would have kept it but had incident of engine feeling like running on 5 cylinders. Checked it out and determined I might have the 2008 tranny problems.
1000 mi
Reflash of transmission shift points.
56000 mi
US $2400
3-5-R clutch waveplate replaced
98580 mi
C $3000
Noticeable slipping shifting into 3rd and slightly into 5th. Lurching when in reverse. Replace 3-5-Rev housing,sun gear,control solenoid assembly, replace all necessary pistons, seals and gaskets
126480 mi
C $2700
left and right front axles and CV joints,
140000 mi
Transmission started slipping.Refused to go into Reverse a few times.Check engine light came on,after car downshifted into a lower gear by itself after I came off a freeway exit ramp.Service dept reset the check engine light&I TRADED it in!
102000 mi
US $650
Slippage
57000 mi
Transmission fluid leak has been ongoing but very slow. I had to allow the leak to build in order for the technician to find it. Replaced passenger side output shaft seal under warranty. No more leaks. I paid to flush transmission.
56200 mi
US $4400
I was close to home when my car was slow to respond after being at a stop sign. I had three stop signs to get home and each time, it was very slow to respond. After I got it home, could not put the car into gear at all.
5000 mi
Transmission leak detected by independent shop during routine oil change. Install new transmission seal(s).
104000 mi
US $2200
gears don't shift properly, won't go beyond first gear.
had to take it in and have electronic transmission harness replaced & reprogrammed. Cost was about $2000.
109500 mi
3.5.R Wave plate was cracked and spread metal all through the transmission. Replaced wave plate, piston, clutch steel, housing and seals
Car did not shift out of 1st gear at times. It looks like they repaired it under the special policy 14404A it says on the work order they removed and replaced the reverse clutch plate. It seemed like it was a fairly major transmission rebuild.
68000 mi
Failed 3-5-R wave plate in the transmission had to be replaced.
16120 mi
OIL LEAK FROM TRANSMISSION/TRANSFER/TRANSAXLE. DYE WAS ADDED AND MANY SEALS WERE REPLACED DURING THE REPAIR
53500 mi
Bad transfer case replaced. Done under warranty related to the transfer case repair. Car was making a clicking sounds when driving. Not sure about the name for the repair.
66000 mi
Cracked wave plate
87300 mi
US $600
Replaced cv joint.
95000 mi
US $3000
Car was having difficulty shifting in various gears. After a while, the car would not shift into reverse. for the first time, car was seizing up and would not shift into reverse. the transmission light was also on.
9000 mi
Seal in transfer case blew. The seal was replaced, drove car for a week but still leaked. They tried to replace seal again, when it fell into the transfer case. They eventually replaced the entire transfer case having the car for over a week the second time.
70000 mi
US $170
transmission slipping; transmission disassembled and part replaced; still shifting rough after receipt of vehicle so had to return to shop for further work
78000 mi
Transmission shifting roughly and incorrectly, replaced pressure plates
26000 mi
transmission oil was too low to detect on dipstick.
Problem: Leaky seal between torque converter and transmission
4000 mi
Transmission front coverter seal was leaking ----
Seal, transmission/transaxle coverter replaced
90000 mi
US $620
Transmission - no reverse, 3rd or 5th gear. Transmission was removed and rebuilt.
65000 mi
US $8000
replaced transmission
8000 mi
Reflash transmission controlling computers. We received a tsb on this.
55000 mi
Transmission after driving highway speed for 20 min or more would fail to shift past 4th gear, even in manual mode. Check engine light came on and DIC indicated overheating fluid. Shop has determined that entire trans must be replaced.
3000 mi
transmission searches for 3rd gear before finding it.
13000 mi
I took the Enclave in for transmission flash which helped, but did not cure the early shifting. There will be no more flashes for the '08 so will have to live with it, or sell it.
120700 mi
US $1000
Wave Plate Issue, which has since been issued under a recall notice.
48000 mi
While driving transmission stopped working. Engine spun freely in gear. Onstar did remote diagnostic and found tranny to be at fault. Dealer said all tranny bolts sheered off. Transmission getting replaced.
11000 mi
Trasnmission had slow leak, shop ordered parts.
85000 mi
Transmission replaced under warranty.
67000 mi
US $2400
Transmission blew 3 days out of warranty and the company would not fix
77000 mi
The dreaded clutch wave plate failure. Wave plate and associated parts replaced.
5000 mi
Transmission reflash to improve shift performance.
79000 mi
Fluid leaking. Replace seal.
140000 mi
US $1000
Shift solenoid stuck. replaced solenoid and rebuilt valve body
156000 mi
US $1000
replaced CV boot and front driver side drive shaft. After replacement I notice transmission fluid on garage floor. They may or may not have caused the leak when replacing the shaft but there was no leaking before hand. replaced front cover to the transfer case. It was moist, not quite leaking so I had it replaced since I already had the vehicle in the shop
186000 mi
I finally took the Enclave to have the dealer diagnose the jerking I felt when shifting from 2nd to 3rd and again from 3rd to 4th. If I manually shifted it was smooth. Basically, it was the torque converter going out thus a new transmission was needed
139000 mi
Replaced transmission & torque converter
144510 mi
US $400
Vehicle would not shift out of 1st gear on many occasions, had to clear the codes (shift solenoid) until I could bring it to the shop. When at the repair shop they could not get the vehicle to repeat this problem. Replaced CV Joints, Vehicle still has same problem
69900 mi
US $3500
Wave plate broke -- required new transmission. GM paid for $1,200 and I paid the other $2,500 for a remanufactured tranny with a 3 yr 100k mile warrnaty. This is a known issue in the 2008/2009 Enclaves (and traverse and Acadias).
104780 mi
Wave plate was replaced under special warranty.
143 mi
US $4000
Transmission would shift OK when driven hard, but driven lightly would shudder in certain gears. Diagnosis was the TECHEM, but with the mileage I decided to do entire transmission. Turns out internals were in perfect condition, so perhaps I wasted some money. Surprised me - even the wave plate was in perfect condition.
27000 mi
Had the tranny reflashed.
64480 mi
C $100
replace Stick shift .
shifter paddle failed.
79000 mi
Transmission would not shift, wave plate failed.
72500 mi
US $100
Driveshaft bolts fell out
113300 mi
35r waveplate failed Struts froze while car was on the lift
65000 mi
Vehicle would not shift gears properly. The Wave plate(s) was replaced
72200 mi
US $100
The AWD sensor needed to be cleaned and adjusted because it was malfunctioning
23000 mi
Driver noticed transmission fluid under car. Dealer found the transmission speed sensor leaking aroung the O-ring. The ordered a new speed sensor with expedited shipping and replaced it.
30200 mi
Transmission oil cooler line started leaking at one of the crimped ends. They replaced it even though it was not supposed to be covered under the power train warranty because of the small number of miles on the car.
Solenoid in transmission was faulty and required replacing. Symptoms included being intermittently stuck in park, engine "revving" when in drive and refusing to move forward, and "check engine" (or transmission?) light constantly on.
"Check engine" li
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