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2013 Buick Encore Problems & Owner Complaints

52 NHTSA owner complaints
4 crash 2 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~3.7 complaints per year on the road — ranking 7 of 10 Buick Encore years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2013 Buick Encore, cited in 21 of 52 filed complaints (40%).

Electrical System is next (8 complaints, 15%), followed by Power Train (7), Vehicle Speed Control (6), Air Bags (5).

Across all complaints, 4 report a crash, 2 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 2 crash, 2 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2013 Buick Encore, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 52.

Engine 21

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11561388, 2023

“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 the…”
NHTSA complaint #11532722, 2023

“TURBO WENT OUT TWICE WITHIN 3 MONTHS. ALSO I WAITED FOR 6 WEEKS ON A BACK ORDERED PART. SO MUCH SERVICE WORK... PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM THIS CAR IS A LEMON. THE PAINT LITERALLY FELL OFF THE MIRRORS WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11258455, 2019

Electrical System 8 1 crash 1 injury

“IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC GETTING READY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE RACED CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AND SLAM INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR CAUSING OVER $5K WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE ENCORE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE IMPACT WAS SO INTENSE THAT THE REAR GLOVE BOX OPENED TOSSING THE CONTENTS OUT INTO THE TRUNK. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10643646, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11154446, 2018

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE VERY HARD TO BE SEEN WHILE THE SUN WAS OUT. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10691789, 2015

Power Train 7 2 crash 1 injury

“IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC GETTING READY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE RACED CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AND SLAM INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR CAUSING OVER $5K WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE ENCORE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE IMPACT WAS SO INTENSE THAT THE REAR GLOVE BOX OPENED TOSSING THE CONTENTS OUT INTO THE TRUNK. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10643646, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“2013 BUICK ENCORE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK, RUB AND GRAB. ON THANKSGIVING DAY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIS DRIVEWAY, ON SNOWY DAY, THE ABS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A PLOWED SNOW BANK, IN WHICH THE BUMPER WAS CRACKED. ALSO, AS HE WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, AS SHE BRAKED. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE AWD DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB”
NHTSA complaint #10574525, 2013 · crash

“The turbo charger is underboost and can explode the engine with oil flying everywhere”
NHTSA complaint #11430630, 2021

Vehicle Speed Control 6

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11071842, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER AND THE ACCELERATION DECREASED EVEN WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE HOUSE AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COGGINS BUICK IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS N…”
NHTSA complaint #11001327, 2017

“CONTACT WAS DRIVING A 2013 BUICK ENCORE (~58,000 MILES) IN A LARGE PARKING LOT WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN DECELERATION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP AND TRACTION OFF LIGHT CAME ON WITH A MESSAGE "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED." MESSAGE CLEARED AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING; MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP REMAINED ON. DEALERSHIP STATES PROBLEM WITH THROTTLE BODY AND NEED TO "CLEAN CARBON" -- $1,059 SO FAR.”
NHTSA complaint #10897718, 2016

Air Bags 5 2 crash 2 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 40-50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A DEER, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FLIP OVER AND EVENTUALLY LANDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND SHOULDER, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…”
NHTSA complaint #10968775, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC GETTING READY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE RACED CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AND SLAM INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR CAUSING OVER $5K WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE ENCORE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE IMPACT WAS SO INTENSE THAT THE REAR GLOVE BOX OPENED TOSSING THE CONTENTS OUT INTO THE TRUNK. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10643646, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“THE WARNING LIGHT CONNECTED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYS THE OFF SIGN EVEN WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE WARNING LIGHT READS OFF EVEN IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT.”
NHTSA complaint #10980551, 2017

Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“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 the…”
NHTSA complaint #11532722, 2023

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11205773, 2019

“THE ENGINE OIL COOLER IS LEAKING. THE FRONT DRIVER AXLE SHAFT SEAL IS LEAKING. THE CAR IS RUNNING TOO LEAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I REPLACED THE AIR FILTER AND CLEAN FUEL INJECTORS AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THE CAR SPUTTERS WHEN STATIONARY AS WELL AS MOVING.”
NHTSA complaint #11186693, 2019

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Seat Belts 3

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V488000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ UPDATED 9/26/2017*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10690537, 2015

“2013 BUICK ENCORE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF RECALLS ARE REAL OR JUST SOME OF THEM *CN”
NHTSA complaint #10659585, 2014

“WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR LAST YEAR THE DEALER TOOK $1900 OF MY MONEY IN A RUSE - I WILL DIE BEFORE EVER STEPPING FOOT IN [XXX] EVER AGAIN. I WILL NOT TAKE THIS VEHICLE IN FOR ANY SAFETY RECALL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10644204, 2014

Service Brakes 3 1 crash

“2013 BUICK ENCORE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK, RUB AND GRAB. ON THANKSGIVING DAY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIS DRIVEWAY, ON SNOWY DAY, THE ABS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A PLOWED SNOW BANK, IN WHICH THE BUMPER WAS CRACKED. ALSO, AS HE WIFE WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, AS SHE BRAKED. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE AWD DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *JB”
NHTSA complaint #10574525, 2013 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE BRAKES SQUEAKED AND MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SID DILLON BUICK GMC - FREMONT DEALER (402-317-5718, 2420 E 23RD ST, FREMONT, NE 68025) WHERE THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ON THE REAR BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE…”
NHTSA complaint #11144647, 2016

“WITH VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE CREEPS FORWARD AND ADDITION BRAKE PRESSURE NEED TO BE APPLIED. THIS CONTINUES UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE NO LONGER CREPT FORWARD WHEN THE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10550123, 2013

Tires 3

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) BUICK ENCORE EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE: P215/55/R18 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES CONTINUED TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10934980, 2016

“CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT 215/55/18 UNKNOWN DAMAGE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. 2ND OCCURRENCE WITHIN 2 MONTHS. TIRE UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. LEASING BUICK ENCORE 2013. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10678822, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE 215/55R18 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES CONTINUOUSLY FLATTENED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PATCHED UP THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 11,800. UPDATED 8/22/14*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10610531, 2014

Engine And Engine Cooling 2

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10915373, 2014

“PREMIUM TRIM LEVEL HAS FORWARD COLLISION WARNING. ON AT LEAST SIX OCCASIONS BEGINNING NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR (2013), THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING HAS COME ON WITH NO VEHICLE IN FRONT FOR HUNDREDS OF FEET AND HAS DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL, ESSENTIALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COAST UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR WAS MANUALLY DEPRESSED. FOUR INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AT 65 TO 68 MPH; ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A LOCAL ROAD AT 45 MPH; AND ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A LOCAL ROAD TRAVELING AT 35 MPH (POLICE PATROLLED AREA, USE CRUISE TO NOT EXCEED SPEED LIMIT). DURING EAC…”
NHTSA complaint #10641239, 2013

Seats 2

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #10915373, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V488000 (SEATS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.”
NHTSA complaint #10648907, 2014

Unknown Or Other 2

“I WANTED TO REGISTER A CONCERN ABOUT MY 2013 BUICK ENCORE. TWO DAYS AGO, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, MY SUNROOF LITERALLY EXPLODED. THE GLASS SHARDS DIDN'T INJURE ME, BUT I FELT HELPLESS WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THERE WAS NOTHING INDICATING CONCERNS OR ISSUES WITH THE SUN ROOF, I AM FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE HARM, BUT WANTED GM TO BE AWARE OF THIS DANGER. WE HAVE BEEN LIFELONG GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMERS FOR OVER NEARLY 50 YEARS, AND FELT THE NEED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION.”
NHTSA complaint #11206613, 2019

“EXHAUST SMELL IN CAR ESPECIALLY WHEN AIR RECYCLE BUTTON ON. SMELL IS WORSE AT STOPS AND AFTER CAR IS RETURNED TO GARAGE. HAVE COMPLAINED TO GM BUICK FOR THREE YEARS. NO CAUSE FOUND.”
NHTSA complaint #10954775, 2014

Equipment 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAS NOT PROPERLY GENERATING THE CORRECT ROUTES WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VOICE RESPONSE FEATURE WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE CONTACT'S VOICE. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FAILURE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE RADIO, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC FROM THE SECOND DEALER STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE R…”
NHTSA complaint #10706356, 2014

Steering 1

“WAS MAKING A TURN FROM A SIDE STREET AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT NEAR THE CORNER. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP UPDATED STEERING WHEEL CODES. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10671754, 2015

Structure 1 1 crash

“DRIVER OF 2013 BUICK ENCORE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN STRUCK AT PERPENDICULAR ANGLE ON PASSENGERS SIDE. CONTROL OF THE CAR WAS LOST. THE ENCORE TIPPED, LANDING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS CONSCIOUS, BUT SMELLED FUMES. AN ASTHMATIC, THE DRIVER SENSED AN ONCOMING ATTACK AND BEGAN SCREAMING TO BE PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE. A HEROIC BYSTANDER CLIMBED ONTO THE VEHICLE, WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TOWARD THE SKY, AND PULLED HER FROM THE VEHICLE BEFORE PARAMEDICS ARRIVED. AMAZINGLY, THE DRIVER WALKED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE…”
NHTSA complaint #10543765, 2013 · crash

Wheels 1

“CONTINENTAL PRO CONTACT 215/55/18 UNKNOWN DAMAGE ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. 2ND OCCURRENCE WITHIN 2 MONTHS. TIRE UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE. LEASING BUICK ENCORE 2013. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10678822, 2014

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2013 Buick Encore draws about 3.7 complaints per year on the road, ranking 7 of 10 among the Buick Encore model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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