Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Buick Encore owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The check engine light came and took the car to O'Reillys and was informed it had low turbo boost code took car to the dealership and they indeed confirmed that was the issue and that it would be over $3000.00 to fix!!! I bought this car 4 months ago and this seems to be an issue with a few other owners as well Buick needs to recall this part!!! If not fixed it may cause deceleration or overheat and start to burn into the manifold of the exhaust. No other parties have looked at the car except the dealership. only lamp that came on was the check engine light and it was sometimes go off and then come back on.
My car had problems with overheating. I check my oil and coolant levels. My car show check engine light so I took it to mechanics to get check. The invoice states possible blown head gaskets. I research online similar complaints with other Buick Encore 2013. I just this car March 2023 has about 89000. I am making payments.
My car drove fine and then I stopped at a red light at a busy intersection when my traction control and check engine light came on and the engine power reduced came across the dashboard. The lights, wipers, radio and engine was still running but when pressing on the gas pedal the car would not accelerate. I had to wave people to go around me put it in park and shut it down for 30 seconds. When I turned it on again I had to put it in reverse and keep pushing the gas pedal to get out of the intersection then I put it in drive and just kept pressing the gas pedal and inched my way into a parking space. After shutting it off and parking it for 2-3 minutes I turned it on the check engine light stayed on but the car drove like normal to get me to the dealership. …
Lately I'm having a issue with this car, first my check engine light came on and is still on and now all of a sudden I can be at a light or driving down the street and the engine power reduce warning comes across my display screen, I can't accelerate so I have to coast it to the side of the road, shut it off, wait 30 seconds and restart the car. Sometimes I have to do this 2 or 3 times before it drives right again, so I went on the Buick forum and see a lot of people are having the same issue, that they have had the throttle body changed and it makes no different, that it could happen again. So now I want get on the expressway just in case it wants to do it again, and I'm getting scared to drive it on the streets cause it keeps happening. …
Still having problems with the throttle body took it to the dealership on 2/9/2018 paid out $545.00 to have purge solenoid and EVAP flow changed and to have the throttle body cleaned and adjusted. Well 4 1/2 hours later the check engine light comes back on and it starts with this reduce power to the engine again. The reduce power to the engine did this 3 times and each time I had to shut the car off wait 30 seconds and restart the car and each time it did this I had to restart the car 4 time before it would go off and the car was able to be driven. The check engine light stayed on for 4 hours before it went off, well that didn't last long before I start having the same problem again on 2/11/2018 letting the car warm up the reduce power to the engine came on and I was still in the garage, that was 7:30 am then again at 8:05 then again at 8:37 so now again the check engine light is on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Buick Encore. While driving 35 MPH, the contact noticed that the check engine and traction warning indicators illuminated. The contact also noticed that the accelerator pedal was not working properly. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle for approximately two minutes, restarted the vehicle, and it operated normally. The dealer (glocker Buick of ironton, 911 s 3rd st, ironton, oh 45638) informed the contact of an extended warranty for when the engine May go into reduce engine power mode. There were no recalls associated with the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired under the extended warranty. The dealer also informed the contact of a throttle body failure, which did not fall under the extended warranty. …
There are toxic fumes and an odor emanating from the interior of my 2013 Buick Encore. The upholstery seems to be the most likely source. The fumes have been causing a chronic burning sensation in our eyes, nose, throat, and which occasionally results in stomach discomfort and nausea. The fumes and odor intensify on sunny days and when taking extended trips. The issue has been reported to the GM dealer, where I purchased the car, over the past two years, however they have not taken action to resolve the issue, nor have they taken this matter seriously. We would like to get the car tested for toxic interior emissions, and would like help finding the proper testing facility or company that performs this test. Could you please recommend someone, whether a private company or governmental agency that performs this service. Any direction or idea would be extremely helpful at this point. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard an abnormal clicking noise coming from the engine and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bokman of wellsville Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac (81 s main st, wellsville, ny 14895) where it was diagnosed that the pistons need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 98,700.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. One side of the vehicle was able to be heated through the vents while the other side was not able. The vehicle also jerked when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the electrical failure was confirmed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the jerking and heating failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.
Check engine light came on and then started flashing while in motion. The traction light came on and off repeatedly. The engine had reduced power and at times would only go 30-35mph even with pedal mashed all the way. I took the vehicle to o'reilly's and they checked the codes which show camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, cylinder 2 misfire, turbo underboost code and ABS code. Seems like a lot of issues for a vehicle with only 67,000 miles.
Engine complaints in other Encore years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2013 Buick Encore?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2013 Buick Encore, 44% of the model year's 52 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Buick Encore engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2013 Buick Encore, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Buick Encore engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
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.