Buick Encore Complaints

604 consumer complaints on file.

#11720398February 25, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Defective "TURBO CHARGER" at 38,091 miles. The defective worn-out or damaged turbocharger was removed from the engine and a new one was installed at a cost of $1816.00. This part should not wear out at 38,000 miles. My mechanic informed me that this is common in the Buick Encore vehicles to experience a defective "TURBO CHARGER" at low vehicle mileage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719555February 21, 2026
ENGINE, SUSPENSION
power steering failure while driving at highway speeds. In traffic had a warning come on power steering fault. Then wheel was hard to turn. Had to use strength to steer car home approx. 25 miles. Took to dealer they had car for 3 days before repair done. For $1800 repair bill. Said it was a circuit card in the steering system that was the problem. 2015 years had a recall but not 2016 . But the failure from the 2015 is the same with the 2016 year. GM contacted and they deny claim to get repair cost refunded.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719342February 20, 2026
AIR BAGS
The front passenger air bag sensor turns off either before we begin driving or while the vehicle is in motion. The manual says that if you have a seat cushion or are not in the position for the sensor to "see" you, it may turn off. I have a bad back, and I need my 2-inch seat cushion for long trips, or I will be in pain. But when I use my seat cushion, the sensor turns the air bag off. So, if I use my seat cushion (or the sensor otherwise decides to turn the air bag off), I am not protected in the case of an accident. If I don't use my seat cushion, I am in pain from my back. The front passenger air bag should have a manual switch and have the ability to be kept on all of the time, that decision being made by the passenger and not a sensor that is not smart enough to adjust to an additional cushion or other situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718958February 18, 2026
ENGINE
Driving down the road and car became sluggish to respond/accelerate and could barely operate at slow speeds or not be able to go. Thankfully at this time I was close to home and not on the highway but was leaving on a long trip with areas of no service and isolation and temps in the -20F could be a very dangerous situation. There were no warning lights on at all. But I own a code reader and hooked it up anyways and got code P0299. Took it to a small local repair shop and will include their report as a file because I don't understand all of it but this is a known issue/defect from the manufacturer with a technical bulletin out about it with a fix for it. Was never notified of this at purchase or since. Then took to the manufacturer dealership to try and get them to fix it but they won't and want more money than the small shop. Feel misled when headquarters said yea we should cover that move it to a dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718695February 18, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, with the odor of burning oil inside the cabin of the vehicle, before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the valve cover, intake manifold, and oxygen sensors were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,360
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718605February 17, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear passenger doors fail to engage internal lock when Child-Lock feature is on, door can still be opened from interior. Rear door locks fail to properly engage when locking and unlocking vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715060February 2, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Turbo exhibits exact same symptoms of 17-18 encore recall for the turbo. I frequently get the p0299 code the car becomes sluggish and hesitates to take off from a stop when this code comes on making this car dangerous to drive. This issue has almost caused multiple accidents because the car is so under powered that its hard to get the car across traffic without being hit. I have been having this issue for several years and no one has been able to tell me why the car does this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713427January 26, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with a blown turbo charger caused by low oil pressure. The contact stated that the turbo charger was previously replaced due to the same failure. The contact stated there was a recall for the for 2017-2018 Buick Encore for the same issue; however, the 2019 model year was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712977January 23, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact smelled smoke and became aware that the smoke was coming from under the hood. The failure reoccurred while driving the following day. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of Special Coverage: N232395330 (Turbocharger Replacement), and the manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement. A case was opened; however, the manufacturer later informed the contact that the reimbursement claim was denied because the vehicle was not repaired by a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11712726January 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Was driving and lost complete power but came right back on itself. Car also makes a loud noise periodically when reversing and pressing the brake. Was told this was engine timing chain. Cooling fan periodically stays on draining the battery after car is turned off. None of these issues have been correct but told there is no recall to fix these issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711884January 19, 2026
ENGINE
turbo charger and catalytic convertor both failed at 50k miles. the 2017 and 2018 buick encores have a safety recall for turbochargers but the 2019 was not included in that recall despite it having the exact same engine and turbocharger.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711722January 18, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Wipers will not shut off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711624January 17, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On my way home in December 2025, my car started to sputter and make noises. All of a sudden the car started going about 10-15 miles. I almost go hit by several vehicles, because they had to put on brakes, I was trying to go up then down a hilly road. I finally was able to get to an Auto Advance Shop, I had to tow the car to Honda then to Buick for a diagnostic test. It had been over a month and I can’t get information in writing what the diagnostic test results are. I’ve had to rent a vehicle for over a month, even though I have a Lifetime Warranty on my power train and motor. I have submitted all my service and repair paperwork to John Miles Buick Conyers Georgia, the GM and Service Department, also I contacted GMC Corporate Office. I have been in a rental car for over a month that I can no longer afford. I don’t know where else to get results for my issue. Thank you, XXX. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710027January 9, 2026
ENGINE
4/2025-Engine coolant water outlet needed to be replaced 5/2025- Turbo boost replaced (under recall) 6/2025- Engine fan needed to be replaced 12/2025- There was active leaking in the engine oil cooler and lines- needed to be replaced Engine ventilation , engine oil weep along valve cover seals- needed to be replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709627January 8, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Turbocharger gasket failed resulting in leaking coolant and overheating of engine. Damages resulted turbocharge replacement and replacement of water outlet in $4463.43 repair bill.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11709530January 7, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was stopped at a traffic light and began moving forward to make a turn into traffic. As I activated my turn signal and started to proceed through the intersection, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of power while the vehicle was in motion. Another vehicle was entering the intersection at the same time, creating a near-collision situation. I was forced to restart the vehicle in traffic. The incident occurred within less than 250 miles of purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle had recently received an oil change and inspection. No warning lights or messages were observed prior to the stall. This event created a serious safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708285January 2, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After filling up fuel vehicle starts and stalls out. This occurs while driving at stop signs. And also while driving loss of power. There is something wrong in the engine, timing belt, fuel, etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708397January 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped, the gear shift lever was stuck in park(P). After several attempts, the contact was able to move the gear shifter lever. The contact stated that the drive back to the residence was rough. Two or three days later, the gear shift lever failed to function as intended. The service warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and retrieved DTC: P171D (For transmission pressure issue and oil leak). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided with the same DTC and informed that the transmission had failed and was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact learned that the failure might be related to missing bolts on the transmission accumulator. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707372December 28, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SUSPENSION
When I'm driving sometimes the car seems like it's about to cut off or something & the check engine light plus stabilizer track message bones on & I start losing power & it's happened more than 10 times ! I let the car sit for a few minutes & it works !
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706615December 22, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 35 MPH, another vehicle failed to yield at a left turn, driving northbound, and crashed into the contact's vehicle on the front driver's side. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's daughter and granddaughter were both injured and were later treated at the local hospital for soreness in various parts of their body. Both occupants sustained emotional trauma as a result of the accident. The other driver was also injured as a result of the accident and was transported to the hospital by ambulance; their injuries are unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent tow yard, where it was deemed a total loss. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0

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