Buick Enclave: Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy. Event Data Recorders. OnStar®

Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy

This GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated computers that record information about vehicle performance and how the vehicle is driven. These electronic modules are part of the vehicle’s normal operation and are used to monitor, control, and support many systems that affect drivability, safety, comfort, emissions performance, and service diagnosis.

For example, the vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control engine and transmission performance, to monitor the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a crash, and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle. These systems work continuously in the background and may store information that helps a dealer technician understand how a system was operating when a concern occurred.

Some modules may store data to help your dealer technician service the vehicle. This can include diagnostic trouble codes, system status information, operating conditions, or data that supports troubleshooting. Other modules may store information related to how the vehicle is operated, such as rate of fuel consumption, average speed, or other performance-related values.

These modules may also retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat positions, mirror settings where applicable, and temperature settings. In a Buick Enclave, these saved preferences help make the vehicle more convenient for regular use, especially when memory features or personalized settings are used by more than one driver.

Vehicle data recording is intended to support diagnosis, service, safety system operation, and owner convenience. When service is performed, technicians may use scan tools or diagnostic equipment to read stored information and determine whether a system is operating normally or whether repair is needed.

Event Data Recorders

This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of the EDR is to record specific information in certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an airbag deployment, a significant impact, or contact with a road obstacle. This data can help explain how the vehicle’s systems were operating immediately before, during, and shortly after the event.

The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. It does not operate like a continuous driving recorder. Instead, it stores limited technical information only when certain conditions are met, allowing investigators, technicians, or other authorized parties to better understand vehicle behavior during a serious incident.

The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such data as:

This data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. For a Buick Enclave, the information may help show how the vehicle responded, whether certain safety systems were active, and what driver inputs were present during the recorded moment.

Important: EDR data is recorded by the vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation occurs. No data is recorded by the EDR under normal driving conditions, and no personal data, such as name, gender, age, or crash location, is recorded by the EDR itself.

However, other parties, such as law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with personally identifying information routinely gathered during a crash investigation. For example, a police report, insurance claim, registration record, or witness statement may contain information that is separate from the EDR but can be reviewed together with the technical vehicle data.

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement agencies, that have the required equipment may be able to read the information if they have access to the vehicle or to the EDR module.

GM will not access this data or share it with others except with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee; in response to an official request by police or a similar government office; as part of GM's defense of litigation through the discovery process; or as required by law. Data that GM collects or receives may also be used for GM research needs or may be made available to others for research purposes when a need is shown and the data is not tied to a specific vehicle or vehicle owner.

Owners should understand that EDR information is technical in nature. It is intended to help interpret vehicle performance and safety system operation, not to replace a full crash investigation. Physical evidence, witness information, road conditions, vehicle damage, and service history may also be considered when reviewing a crash involving a Buick Enclave.

OnStar®

If the vehicle is equipped with an active OnStar system, that system may also record data in crash or near crash-like situations. OnStar services can support emergency response, diagnostics, navigation assistance, security features, and communication with a live Advisor, depending on the vehicle equipment and active service plan.

The OnStar Terms and Conditions provide information on data collection and use and are available at www.onstar.com (U.S.) or www.onstar.ca (Canada), or by pressing the button and speaking to an advisor. See OnStar Overview  for more information.

Before using OnStar services, owners should review the terms that apply to their region and service plan. This helps explain what information may be collected, how services are delivered, and how data may be used to support emergency, diagnostic, navigation, or connected vehicle features.