Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | −71% | — | Transmission | Good |
| 2021 | 9 | −74% | — | Engine | Good |
| 2020 | 19 | −56% | 2 | Engine | Good |
| 2019 | 88 | 1.4× | 2 | Engine | Caution |
| 2018 | 74 | 1.2× | — | Engine | Average |
| 2017 | 90 | 1.4× | 2 | Engine | Caution |
| 2016 | 80 | typical | 2 | Engine | Average |
| 2015 | 124 | 1.8× | 4 | Engine | Caution |
| 2014 | 60 | −38% | 4 | Engine | Average |
| 2013 | 52 | −36% | 6 | Engine | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Encore year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Buick Encore problems
Latest Buick Encore recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020.
Seats › Critical fasteners
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Seat belts › Pretensioner
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Buick Encore should you avoid?
2015, 2019 and 2017 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Encore years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2015.
What is the best year for the Buick Encore?
2021 has the fewest complaints compared with other Encore years at the same age, followed by 2022 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Buick Encore problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (247), electrical system (88) and transmission & drivetrain (77). Engine complaints peak in the 2016 model year.
How many recalls has the Buick Encore had?
13 recalls across 2013–2022. The model year with the most is 2013. See all Buick Encore recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.