2016 Buick Encore Problems & Complaints

Most common 2016 Buick Encore problems

• Engine & cooling~56,000 miles
  4354%
• Fuel & propulsion system~7,000 miles
  1316%
• Transmission & drivetrain~56,000 miles
  1215%
• Electrical system~20,000 miles
  911%
• Other / not specified~60,000 miles
  810%
• Air bags~30,000 miles
  79%
• Steering~51,000 miles
  56%
• Body & structure~56,000 miles
  45%
• Seat belts~32,000 miles
  45%
• Wheels & tires~25,000 miles
  34%
• Speed control & acceleration~48,000 miles
  34%
• Brakes~6,000 miles
  23%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~33,000 miles
  23%
• Suspension~51,000 miles
  23%
• Driver assistance
  23%
• Lights~5,000 miles
  11%
• Seats
  11%

Share of the 80 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Buick Encore complaints by model year

Best Encore years: 2021, 2022, 2020. Years to avoid: 2015, 2019, 2017. Compare all years →

2016 Buick Encore recalls (2)

What 2016 Buick Encore owners say

Engine & cooling all 43 →

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound and the engine seized. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to a failure with the oil pump. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer informed the contact that a portion of the cost of the repair would be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,500.

The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently with unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle started smoking and overheating. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and shut off the vehicle. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC codes: P0700, P0243, and P0333. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 123,000.

Fuel & propulsion system

This is an addendum to Complaint # 11644925 Before taking the car back to the dealership, Buick GMC of Beaverton, for repairs, I called the owner of Bassitt Auto Repair in Beaverton Oregon, [phone]. He told me that they've had 3 other Buick Encores come to his repair shop in just the last 6 months, all with the identical problem. He said, without seeing our vehicle, that it is low compression due to a blown piston. He said to take the car to a Buick dealership, that this repair should be a recall, that the engine is most likely blown, and that no one with rebuild that engine.

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.

Transmission & drivetrain

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, [redacted]. …

Two different issues occurred. While driving the check engine light came on and then went off about 10 minutes later. While driving the vehicle to get check engine light code checked temperature suddenly jumped from normal operating temp just below mid to the top with instrument panel dinging saying engine overheating idle engine. As trying to make way to side of road the blind spot warning on passenger mirror began flashing constantly with no traffic within 1/4 mile from vehicle and instrument panel stating blind spot not available. Once able to get to have code checked showed same code that had been addressed with the replaced turbo 0299. Thermostat replaced less than 19k miles prior. When engine overheat came on power diminished rapidly.

2016 Buick Encore engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.