Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2017 Buick Encore owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that the vehicle was at a standstill in a traffic light, she saw smoke exiting from the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a bystander informed the vehicle was on fire. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle was a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the engine was running rough, and the vehicle experienced reduced power. The stabili-trak and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where a diagnostic trouble code for a cylinder misfire was retrieved. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the cylinder #1 ignition coil and spark plug were replaced, but the failure persisted. The mechanic determined that the engine might need to be replaced; however, the mechanic did not specialize in engine diagnostic tests. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact's daughter was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic on three separate occasions where the turbo charger, the under-boost sensor, and spark plugs were replaced. However, the failure recurred several days after the repair. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring predominantly while driving 70-80 MPH. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE AFTER MARKET TURBO WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER THE TURBO WAS REPLACED, THE CATLYTIC CONVERTOR BECAME AN ISSUE. …
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle started overheating and the high engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and waited for the vehicle to cool down. Once the vehicle cooled down, the contact was able to operate the vehicle normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired because the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated while the vehicle was at a stop light, the vehicle was idling roughly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed turbo charger. The contact was informed that the turbo charger needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised that the repair was not covered under any special coverage or recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and then suddenly jerked forward. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbocharger was failing and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to Special Coverage Turbocharger Replacement: N232395330; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated, and there was smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the water outlet housing, the blower motor, A/C condenser, water pump, thermostat, thermostat housing, turbo charger, and the fan were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,189.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was displayed on the instrument panel. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to Special Coverage: N232395330; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,881.
The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and went into "LIMP Mode". Additionally, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the issue but declined to service the vehicle because the vehicle had a salvage title. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
Engine complaints in other Encore years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2017 Buick Encore?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2017 Buick Encore, 44% of the model year's 90 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline › turbo/supercharger (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Buick Encore engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2017 Buick Encore, though it has 2 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 2017 Buick Encore engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.