Most common 2018 Buick Encore problems
Share of the 74 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 →
What 2018 Buick Encore owners say
Engine & cooling all 31 →
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, power steering, and brake functionality. The vehicle began to shake, and the brakes and steering wheel became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where the mechanic test drove the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. While driving, the fan failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer Orange Buick GMC (3883 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808), where it was diagnosed that the coil and relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. …
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact's husband noticed there was oil leaking onto the ground underneath the vehicle. The contact's husband, who is a certified mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was caused by a leaking oil cooler pipe. The contact was informed that the oil cooler pipe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the leak was persistent. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced GMC recall 43210; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Brakes
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing her to rear-end a truck. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a collision center and had the front bumper repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, power steering, and brake functionality. The vehicle began to shake, and the brakes and steering wheel became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where the mechanic test drove the vehicle but was unable to duplicate the failure. While driving, the fan failed to turn off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer Orange Buick GMC (3883 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808), where it was diagnosed that the coil and relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. …
Transmission & drivetrain
The contact's girlfriend owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while his girlfriend was driving 35 mph, the vehicle inadvertently shifted to neutral and all the door latches unlocked independently. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The driver continued driving to her destination. The contact stated he also experienced the same failure while driving up a hill. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact also took the vehicle to O'Meara Buick GMC (2000 W. 104th Ave, Thornton, CO 80234, [phone]) and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 800.
The contact owned a 2018 Buick Encore. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service AWD" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning light remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
2018 Buick Encore engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 27 / 33 / 30 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 26 / 31 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Buick Encore a good car?
Based on 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Encore rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Encore at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Buick Encore?
The engine & cooling — 31 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system › hoses/lines/piping/fittings. Next are the brakes (11) and transmission & drivetrain (10).
How many recalls does the 2018 Buick Encore have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2018 Buick Encore. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Buick Encore?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2022 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015, 2019 and 2017. See the full Buick Encore years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Buick Encore problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 20,000 miles; 71% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.