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NHTSA Vehicle Research

Buick Encore Research

Free safety data straight from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recalls, consumer complaints, and crash test ratings — everything you need before you buy.

4 Recalls
112 Complaints
5★ Safety Rating
FREE Gov Data
2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019

🛡️ NCAP Crash Test Safety Ratings

Year Overall Front Crash Side Crash Rollover
2022
2021
2020
2019

⚠️ NHTSA Recalls (4)

The following safety recalls have been issued by NHTSA for the Buick Encore. If you own this vehicle, check your VIN at our VIN lookup tool or NHTSA.gov to see if your vehicle is affected.

2020 Model Year (2 recalls)

Campaign #20V537000 03/09/2020
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.

Risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is A202304380.

Campaign #20V668000 29/10/2020
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. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

2019 Model Year (2 recalls)

Campaign #18V774000 01/11/2018
AIR BAGS

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.

Risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

Campaign #20V668000 29/10/2020
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. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

💬 Consumer Complaints (112)

Real complaints filed with NHTSA by Buick Encore owners. These reports help identify common issues and potential safety concerns.

Most Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE 15
AIR BAGS 8
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8
POWER TRAIN 7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6
SERVICE BRAKES 6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4
TIRES 4
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 3
2022 model • POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER • 07/04/2025

I have had my vehicle to a GM dealer on a few occasions with the EMC code stored in the vehicle and an active check engine light on. While I’m driving - now during 70 percent or more of my trips - my vehicle loses power very suddenly and lunges me forward. I’m unable to stop and go on hills…

2022 model • POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER • 09/01/2025

The EMC on the vehicle appears to be faulty. The vehicle is burning more than double the fuel than it should, and I’m able to smell a strong oil burning odor while driving it. The SUV lunges you forward violently when this defect begins to act up, which can be at any point in a short or longer trip. The…

2022 model • UNKNOWN OR OTHER • 08/04/2025

My Encore is full of mice and mice droppings. The man at the dealership said GM should have screens or other safety measures done at the factory. This car has just 10,000 mils and I keep it in pristine condition. People can't believe how clean I keep it and this happens??? The tech told me there are at least 8-10…

2021 model • ENGINE • 01/09/2024

I have continuously had my check engine light pop on. I have took it in twice for them fix the issue which is the purge sensor. It did not fix the issue because the light just pops back on. This has caused issues with me passing emissions and has been an headache shortly street I obtained the vehicle.

2021 model • SERVICE BRAKES • 10/01/2024

The contact owns a 2021 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed. The contact had to slam on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the Hill Assist message was displayed. The brake pedal was pumped several times before the brake pedal released. The…

2021 model • ENGINE • 07/21/2025

Took to the dealership. They stated my flex pipe had melted and the o2 sensors are stuck in the pipe need replacement as well. They have to replace flex pipe and everything leading to the 2nd o2 sensor. They stated there was no damage or tampering to the flex pipe. This should not have happened in this new of a…

2020 model • UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES • 04/13/2026

I took my 2020 Buick Encore to an independent auto repair shop to have a brake inspection after I had contacted GM multiple times about the loss of acceleration, check engine light and stabilitrak light would come on with brake pedal stiffness and then almost needing to push it to the floor to stop. When I took it to the…

2020 model • ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • 02/20/2026

Defective "TURBO CHARGER" at 38,091 miles. The defective worn-out or damaged turbocharger was removed from the engine and a new one was installed at a cost of $1816.00. This part should not wear out at 38,000 miles. My mechanic informed me that this is common in the Buick Encore vehicles to experience a defective "TURBO CHARGER" at low vehicle mileage.

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