Buick Encore reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 601 complaints about the Buick Encore with NHTSA since 2013, most often about engine and electrical system. Buick has filed 11 warranty extensions and 17 service campaigns for it, and there are 13 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Buick Encore? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Encore a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2013 on.
- Owner complaints
- 601
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 11
- Filed by Buick
- Service campaigns
- 17
- Filed by Buick
- Safety recalls
- 13
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Encore with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 |
| 2024 | 0 | — | 0 | 5 |
| 2023 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 |
| 2022 | 8 | Other or unspecified (50%) | 0 | 6 |
| 2021 | 9 | Engine (33%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2020 | 19 | Engine (37%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2019 | 86 | Engine (38%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2018 | 74 | Engine (39%) | 0 | 7 |
| 2017 | 89 | Engine (39%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2016 | 80 | Engine (51%) | 2 | 3 |
| 2015 | 124 | Electrical system (24%) | 4 | 7 |
| 2014 | 60 | Engine (42%) | 4 | 7 |
| 2013 | 52 | Engine (40%) | 6 | 10 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Encore model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Buick
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Buick filed with NHTSA for the Encore, in its own words. A warranty extension means Buick pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Electrical system· model years 2017–2025
This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2024· Engine and cooling· model years 2017–2018
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail.
- Warranty extensionJul 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2021
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge pump to fail.
- Warranty extensionJun 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2020
Special Coverage. Certain 2019 model year Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine (RPO LFY), and certain 2020 model year Buick Encore and Chevrolet Sonic / Trax vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine (RPO LUV), may have a condition that could…
- Warranty extensionJul 2020· Engine· model years 2014
Special Coverage - Certain 2014 model year Buick Encore, 2011 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Cruze, 2012 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Sonic, and 2014 model year Chevrolet TRAX vehicles, equipped with a 1.4L Engine (RPO LUJ or LUV), may have a condition where cracks can develop in…
- Warranty extensionSep 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2017
N192210240 - Special Coverage Adjustment - Certain vehicles shown above, may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge valve to not fully close.
- Warranty extensionSep 2016· Electrical system· model years 2013
25160 01 - Special Coverage. The vehicle may hesitate and go into reduced engine power mode; i.e.
- Warranty extensionAug 2016· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
25160 - Special Coverage. Special Coverage bulletin 25160, released on August 5, 2016 is being temporarily suspended.
- Warranty extensionAug 2016· Engine· model years 2013
25160 - Special Coverage. Some vehicles, may have a condition in which the vehicle may hesitate and go into reduced engine power mode; i.e. driver information center message ?ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED,? malfunction indicator lamp, and reduced acceleration while driving.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Seat belts· model years 2013–2015
14567A - special coverage (revised parts information section).
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Seat belts· model years 2013–2015
14567 - special coverage. On certain 2013-2015 Model year chevrolet trax and buick encore vehicles, the rear-seat-belt buckle cover may be broken and fully separated from the rear-seat-belt buckle due to seat-belt buckle head contact between the iso fixture and the seat-hinge…
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2025
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2025
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignJan 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2022
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge pump to fail.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2013–2025
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2017–2018
Special Coverage - certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2024
Emission Recall - certain vehicles may have The engine control module may not properly control engine ignition timing following certain Auto Engine Stop/Start events.
- Service campaignSep 2022· Seats· model years 2022
Customer Satisfaction Program. Due to the industry-wide semiconductor shortage, the front heated/ventilated seats, front heated seats, or rear heated seats are not functional on certain 2022-2023 model year vehicles listed above, built beginning November 15, 2021.
- Service campaignJul 2020· Body and structure· model years 2020
Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which a crack is present in the right-hand lower B-Pillar body inner panel.
- Service campaignMar 2020· Electrical system· model years 2014
Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain vehicles may have a condition where the vehicle?s Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) was reprogrammed during service with the incorrect software.
- Service campaignJan 2020· Electrical system· model years 2019
Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, may have several wires going to the body control module (BCM) damaged due to the installation/removal of the aftermarket LoJack alarm system from the vehicle.
- Service campaignAug 2019· Mobility equipment· model years 2017–2019
N192218430 - Customer Satisfaction Program. During service, certain vehicles equipped with OnStar (RPO UE1), may have received an incorrect and partially programmed/configured replacement OnStar module.
- Service campaignJun 2017· Mobility equipment· model years 2015
15086A - Customer Satisfaction Program. On certain passenger cars and light duty trucks, equipped with Gen 10 OnStar®, the embedded phone flash memory chip may become corrupted, causing the OnStar® system to become inoperative.
- Service campaignMar 2016· Electrical system· model years 2013–2016
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignDec 2015· Electrical system· model years 2013
15747 - customer satisfaction program. Certain 2013 Model year buick encore, lacrosse, regal, verano, chevrolet camaro, cruze, equinox, malibu, volt, gmc terrain model vehicles equipped with panasonic color navigation and color connected radios (rpo uhq or ufu & UP9), may have a…
- Service campaignAug 2015· Electrical system· model years 2013–2015
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignApr 2015· Electrical system· model years 2015
14395A - customer satisfaction program (revised labor time). On some 2015 Model year buick encore, lacrosse, regal, and verano; cadillac ats, cts, elr, escalade, srx and xts; chevrolet colorado, corvette, cruze, equinox, impala, malibu, silverado, sonic, spark, ss, suburban,…
- Service campaignApr 2013· Mobility equipment· model years 2013
13109 - Customer Satisfaction Program. The rear blocking clips on the driver's seat may be missing. Without these clips, the seat may travel rearward beyond its intended design. Dealers will inspect for the presence of the blocking clips, and install them if they are missing.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Encore model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine223 (37%)
- Electrical system84 (14%)
- Transmission and drivetrain77 (13%)
- Other or unspecified72 (12%)
- Airbags69 (11%)
- Fuel and propulsion62 (10%)
- Brakes55 (9%)
- Steering38 (6%)
Safety recalls
13 recalls cover at least one Encore model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition.
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced…
The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels.
The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.
In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.
Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air bag not deploying.
The steering wheel fastener may not have been properly installed. This could cause the steering wheel to come loose or separate from the steering column.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2013
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Buick Encore has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Buick Encore reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2013 on: 601 owner complaints, 11 warranty extensions and 17 service campaigns Buick filed, and 13 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2015 (124), 2017 (89), 2019 (86). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Buick Encore?
Across every model year since 2013, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (37%), electrical system (14%), transmission and drivetrain (13%). Buick has filed 11 warranty extensions covering the Encore, listed on this page.
Which Encore model years have the most complaints?
2015 (124), 2017 (89), 2019 (86). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Encore with each other rather than with other models.
Has Buick extended the warranty on the Encore?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2017–2025); engine and cooling (model years 2017–2018); engine and cooling (model years 2021), and 8 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Encore?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 13 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.