Buick Engines: Common Problems and Key Specs

Buick is now a GM brand but it's one of the oldest automotive brands in the world. In this article, I will tell you about several engines that were widely used in Buick vehicles and are now legends in terms of reliability, quality, and efficiency.

Although all new Buick cars use GM platforms and engines, they used to be more independent in the past. So, I will view some General Motors engines as Buick ones, in this article.

This is the dynamic page and it will be updated once I review any new Buick engine or write an article about old classic engines installed in Buick cars.

Buick L32 engine

This legendary engine is also known as the Buick V6 engine and the series was produced from 1961 to 2008. This is one of the longest-living American engines in history.

The 3.8L capacity also gave the engine the name 3800. The Buick V6 3800 was engineered from the original Fireball engine during the oil crisis in the US. It was basically the same Fireball but with different displacement and some features that had fuel economy as their first goal.

This simple and reliable engine surprisingly lived a long time with minimal modifications. The first 3800 engine was released in 1975 and the last known Buick V6 3800 was produced in 1987 while some other V6 models kept on working under the hood of GM cars.

Interestingly, this was a pretty reliable engine with not as many common problems as you may think.

Key facts and my opinion:

• Production years: 2003-2007
• Average lifespan of L32: 250,000-300,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: port injection
• Power range: 260 hp
• Fuel efficiency: bad
• Engine block material: cast iron
• Engine reliability score: medium
• The most common problems: coolant leaks, sensors and ignition coils have limited lifespan, minor issues.

Buick L36 engine

The L36 engine is part of the Buick V6 engine family. This is yet another legend of Buick and one of the most renowned engines in the history of American vehicles. The engine gave birth to dozens of other well-known engines, including high-performance ones.

Interestingly, this V6 engine was very simple in its construction and technologies. It could last forever with proper maintenance and good repairs. Also, it could easily surprise you with optimal fuel consumption because it was one of the steps for dealing with the oil crisis.

So, the L36 engine is the direct brother of the legendary L32 that I've already told you about. Up until now, many US car enthusiasts have hunted for L36 engines that are still in good condition for upgrades and modifications.

Key facts and my opinion:

• Production years: 1995-2005
• Average lifespan of L36: 260,000-300,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: port injection
• Power range: 195-205 hp
• Fuel efficiency: average
• Engine block material: cast iron
• Engine reliability score: high
• The most common problems: coolant leaks, sensors aren't durable, ignition coils aren't durable, fire risk recall in 2009

Buick L26 engine

The L26 engine is also a part of the Buick V6 project and is very well known as the Buick 3800 Series III powerplant. It was used in Buick and Pontiac cars between 2004 and 2008. The company added aluminum intake parts and also worked with connecting rods to make them much stronger than in previous versions of the V6 engine.

This is another step in the development of this marvelous engine. Actually, the final step. Because of the discontinuation of the L26 engine in 2008, the entire series of the Buick V6 engine stopped existing. It was replaced with much more modern GM engines under Buick cars' hoods.

Of course, a lot of L26 engines are still on the road because they have a lot of potential miles in them. Given the engine gets proper maintenance and isn't driven aggressively, it can beat almost any other modern engine in terms of durability and quality.

Key facts and my opinion:

• Production years: 2004-2009
• Average lifespan of L26: 200,000-240,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: port injection
• Fuel efficiency: average
• Engine block material: cast iron
• Engine reliability score: medium
• The most common problems: cooling problems, sudden misfires, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

Buick LFY engine

The 3.6L V6 engine used in the Enclave between 2018 and 2024 is the LFY engine. This is the GM High-Feature engine family and the twin brother of the LFX engine but with the start-stop system.

The engine has been only used in the Enclave and also in the Chevy Traverse. Interestingly, the engine was developed from the LLT engine model that was engineered by Holden and Cadillac. The redesigned cylinder head made this engine much lighter than its predecessors.

Also, the engine has a pretty modern intake and exhaust, fuel supply, and other systems making it quite fuel-efficient. Variable valve timing and phasers on camshafts are also developments if you compare them with the LLT.

But there are bad things like the chain tensioner may not live as long as you want it to, or coolant may suddenly leak in all different places.

Key facts and my opinion:

• Production years: 2018-2024
• Average lifespan of LFY: 200,000-220,000 miles
• Fuel supply type: direct injection
• Power range: 310 hp
• Fuel efficiency: bad
• Engine block material: aluminum
• Engine reliability score: medium
• The most common problems: chain tensioner issues, carbon buildup on intake valves, coolant leaks.