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2016 Buick Encore Problems & Owner Complaints
Age-normalised, this year draws ~7.2 complaints per year on the road — ranking 5 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 2016 Buick Encore, cited in 40 of 79 filed complaints (51%).
Fuel/Propulsion System is next (13 complaints, 16%), followed by Power Train (11), Electrical System (9), Air Bags (7).
Across all complaints, 6 report a crash, 1 report a fire, 14 report injuries.
The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 5 crash, 14 injury report(s).
Complaints by vehicle system
Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2016 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 79.
Engine 40 1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE OR AT START UP THE ENGINE SMOKED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF BURNING ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OIL ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED. HALEY GMC 9831 MIDLOTHIAN HYPERLINK, RICHMOND VA 23235: 804-250-1322, WAS CONTACTED AND A VALVE COVER REPLACEMENT WAS SUGGESTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONSTAR SYSTEM ALERTED OF AN EMISSION FAILURE. A PLUG PART WAS REPLACED WHILE STILL COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY IN AN EARLIER VISIT TO THE SAME DEALER.…”
NHTSA complaint #11306290, 2019 · fire
“I was stopped at a traffic light and began moving forward to make a turn into traffic. As I activated my turn signal and started to proceed through the intersection, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of power while the vehicle was in motion. Another vehicle was entering the intersection at the same time, creating a near-collision situation. I was forced to restart the vehicle in traffic. The incident occurred within less than 250 miles of purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle had recently received an oil change and inspection. No warning lights…”
NHTSA complaint #11709530, 2026
“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11711624, 2025
Fuel/Propulsion System 13
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11715060, 2026
“My wife is [XXX] and I am [XXX] old. We purchased the 2016 Buick Encore with 29,000 miles from Buick GMC of Beaverton, Oregon on [XXX], expecting that it would out last both of us, since we are retired and only drive to the store and doctor's appointments; my wife has miraculously survived Stage IV cancer since February 1, 2019. The Encore is our only car and we depend on it for all transportation. We love the vehicle, changed the oil about every 3,000 miles, and have had no complaints for almost six years. On [XXX], my wife and I were driving home from shopping, in rain at night on [XXX]…”
NHTSA complaint #11644925, 2025
“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, 503-616-2007. 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11644927, 2025
Power Train 11
“I was stopped at a traffic light and began moving forward to make a turn into traffic. As I activated my turn signal and started to proceed through the intersection, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of power while the vehicle was in motion. Another vehicle was entering the intersection at the same time, creating a near-collision situation. I was forced to restart the vehicle in traffic. The incident occurred within less than 250 miles of purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle had recently received an oil change and inspection. No warning lights…”
NHTSA complaint #11709530, 2026
“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11711624, 2025
“My wife is [XXX] and I am [XXX] old. We purchased the 2016 Buick Encore with 29,000 miles from Buick GMC of Beaverton, Oregon on [XXX], expecting that it would out last both of us, since we are retired and only drive to the store and doctor's appointments; my wife has miraculously survived Stage IV cancer since February 1, 2019. The Encore is our only car and we depend on it for all transportation. We love the vehicle, changed the oil about every 3,000 miles, and have had no complaints for almost six years. On [XXX], my wife and I were driving home from shopping, in rain at night on [XXX]…”
NHTSA complaint #11644925, 2025
Electrical System 9
“I was stopped at a traffic light and began moving forward to make a turn into traffic. As I activated my turn signal and started to proceed through the intersection, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of power while the vehicle was in motion. Another vehicle was entering the intersection at the same time, creating a near-collision situation. I was forced to restart the vehicle in traffic. The incident occurred within less than 250 miles of purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle had recently received an oil change and inspection. No warning lights…”
NHTSA complaint #11709530, 2026
“My car read that the side detection system went offline, shortly after every warning light on the dash came on and the entire car shut off going down the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11491905, 2022
“In reference to this vehicle, I purchased this car from Burns Honda in February 2020. I replaced the battery less than a year of having this car. I then had my engine light come on and my car was skipping, it completely stopped while driving. Several times, it jumped when I would go over 65 MPH. I took it to the dealership that same night and they continued to tell me nothing was wrong with it. I have had electrical issues along with that. After back and forth for several days with Buick, they finally replaced the transmission. Fast forward to October of 2021, my engine light continues to go o…”
NHTSA complaint #11438060, 2021
Unknown Or Other 8
“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11711624, 2025
“I recently put the back seats down to put some boxes back there. It is stuck down. I don't know if the seat itself is stuck or if the seatbelt is messed up in there. Either way. I need my seat back up.”
NHTSA complaint #11417882, 2021
“The airbags is displaying OFF despite who is sitting on it. It's been going on for about a year since start of COVID and it isn't turning ON. Also, the backup camera is not working properly and suddenly displaying very dark and not showing up properly.”
NHTSA complaint #11441171, 2020
Air Bags 7 5 crash 14 injury
“I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN A CAR GOING OVER 60 MPH HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME THAT WAS WAITING FOR THE SAME LIGHT, WITH SUCH FORCE IT TOOK OUT MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR END AND WAS THEN PUSHED ONTO THE MEDIUM AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE 2ND IMPACT TO MY VEHICLE WAS THE SPEEDING CAR WHO THEN HIT ME AND EMBEDDED ITSELF INTO MY REAR END. AT THIS TIME WAS THE 3RD IMPACT WHEN I WAS PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAITING FOR THE SAME LIGHT. THE 4TH IMPACT IS WHEN I HIT THE CAR IN LANE TO THE RIGHT OF ME CAUSING LITTLE DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THEIRS. BEING HIT ON EVERY CORNER AND RE…”
NHTSA complaint #11297030, 2019 · crash · 6 injury(ies)
“THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35 - 40 MPH. THERE WAS A GLANCING SIDE IMPACT TO THE DRIVERS DOOR, AND ALL AIRBAG CURTAINS DEPLOYED. CAUSING BRUISING, BURNS, SPRAIN, AND A CONCUSSION. THE IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MINIMAL. THE AIRBAG MODULE HAD BEEN FLASHED ALREADY. THE NEW MODULES ARE ON BACK-ORDER AND MAY BE SEVERAL MONTHS/INDEFINITE BEFORE IT CAN BE REPAIRED.”
NHTSA complaint #10925516, 2016 · crash · 4 injury(ies)
“HAD ACCIDENT, WHERE I WAS HIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, AFTER THAT IMPACT I WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR, WHICH TOTALED THE CAR. ME AND A PASSAGE WAS TOSSED AROUND LIKE RAG DOLLS. THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSAGE SIDE DID NOT HOLD IN PLACE CAUSING HER HEAD TO STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD TWICE, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM SIDE FRONT BACK NONE WHICH WOULD OF KEPT HER AND I FROM BEING TOSSED AROUND, THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO SOMEONES ATTENTION, AND A RECALL WE WAS LOOKING WE BOTH HAVE INJURIES, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE TO WHY THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER RECALLED AND CHECKED???? NOW ME AND MY PAS…”
NHTSA complaint #11384768, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
Steering 5
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Fault" was displayed, the steering icon was illuminated, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The following day, the contact discovered that the vehicle could be started. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the steering failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V146000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the…”
NHTSA complaint #11695799, 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that if his wife had been driving the vehicle at the time of the failure, she would not have been able to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a circuit board failure inside the steering column. The contact was informed that the circuit board needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact refe…”
NHTSA complaint #11627275, 2024
“I GOT ONTO THE 91 FREEWAY HEADING EAST FROM THE LONG BEACH BLVD ENTRANCE. WHEN DOING THE TURN ONTO THE FREEWAY (U) THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED/CAR SHIFTED AND BOTH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON. CAR WAS SHAKEY WHOLE TIME UNTIL I PULLED OVER.”
NHTSA complaint #11406152, 2021
Seat Belts 4 2 crash 4 injury
“HAD ACCIDENT, WHERE I WAS HIT FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, AFTER THAT IMPACT I WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR, WHICH TOTALED THE CAR. ME AND A PASSAGE WAS TOSSED AROUND LIKE RAG DOLLS. THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSAGE SIDE DID NOT HOLD IN PLACE CAUSING HER HEAD TO STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD TWICE, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FROM SIDE FRONT BACK NONE WHICH WOULD OF KEPT HER AND I FROM BEING TOSSED AROUND, THIS NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO SOMEONES ATTENTION, AND A RECALL WE WAS LOOKING WE BOTH HAVE INJURIES, CAN SOMEONE PLEASE ADVISE TO WHY THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER RECALLED AND CHECKED???? NOW ME AND MY PAS…”
NHTSA complaint #11384768, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“TAMARA RECALL: THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS AND SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A CRASH TO BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE. ALL SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE CRASH. I WAS STOPPED BEHIND A VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT WHEN A DRUNKEN DRIVER SLAMMED INTO MY 2016 BUICK ENCORE. MY VEHICLE WAS PROPELLED FORWARD INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SHOULDER HARNESS OF MY SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK TO RESTRAIN ME AND MY FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR HAD NO OPEN RECALLS ON IT. I DID THE 2016 RECALL CORRECTION BUT I DON'T REMEMBER GETTING NOTIFIED OF THE SECOND RECALL. MY CARS SERVICE HAS BEEN…”
NHTSA complaint #11079497, 2018 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“I recently put the back seats down to put some boxes back there. It is stuck down. I don't know if the seat itself is stuck or if the seatbelt is messed up in there. Either way. I need my seat back up.”
NHTSA complaint #11417882, 2021
Structure 4
“We noticed the paint bubbling on one of her doors on the car and took it to the dealership who took no accountability. Now the car is peeling in the back and we’ve also noticed the same car, same model and make on the road with the same paint peeling issues that there’s no formal recall as of yet and we are not getting any resolution with GM.”
NHTSA complaint #11753920, 2025
“My drivers side door began to have a few small bubbles around the handle. I took it in and found out the door was rusting from the inside. Rain was getting in and rusting the sound bar. I paid $350 only to find out that the bubbles began to reappear in a few days. When the Buick Dealer took it back it, they discovered the problem. They said it was rusting inside the the door and that I needed a new door and that it was covered under corrosion. I want my $350 back due to the fact that it was covered and I never should have to pay $350.”
NHTSA complaint #11507341, 2022
“SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BEING ON THE HIGHWAY CAR STARTED PULSING AND NOW MY CAR IS IDLING ROUGH.”
NHTSA complaint #11373519, 2020
Engine And Engine Cooling 3
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Encore. The contact stated that upon approaching the vehicle, she observed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the oil cooler pipe. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Service Update: 43210. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11590633, 2024
“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.…”
NHTSA complaint #11565869, 2023
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY DECELERATED TO 10 MPH. THE THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST TIP. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER WAS DEFECTIVE AND THERE WAS ENGINE OIL IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE TURBO CHARGER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…”
NHTSA complaint #11417785, 2021
Vehicle Speed Control 3
“MULTIPLE LIGHTS CAME ON AT ONCE AND NEEDED AN INTAKE MANIFOLD, PVC TUBE, VALVE COVER, ALL WHICH WERE REPAIRED AND THE CAR CONTINUES TO JERK FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY ON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11331533, 2020
“WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60+ MPH), THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE CAR WILL LOSE SIGNIFICANT POWER IN 4TH AND HIGHER GEAR. THIS WILL PRESENT AS SPEED CAN STILL BE GAINED ALTHOUGH VERY SLOWLY IN 4TH GEAR, SPEED CAN BE MAINTAINED BUT NOT GAINED WHILE IN 5TH GEAR, AND SPEED WILL ONLY BE LOST WHILE IN 6TH GEAR. 3RD GEAR AND BELOW ALL WORK FINE. THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED BY TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR A WHILE AND THEN IT CONTINUES TO OPERATE AS IT SHOULD THEREAFTER, HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL REMAIN LIT FOR A FEW DAYS. THE MAIN CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR LOSES THE CAPABILITY TO…”
NHTSA complaint #11278225, 2019
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD CRANK UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO START FEATURE WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, WHICH COULD NOT BE DISENGAGED. THE CONTACT DESCRIBED THE FAILURE AS IF THE IGNITION WERE BEING STARTED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY RUNNING. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE. GEORGE NAHAS CHEVROLET (4135 FL-44, WILDWOOD, FL 34785, (352) 504-4538) STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST UNLE…”
NHTSA complaint #11185805, 2018
Wheels 3
“I GOT ONTO THE 91 FREEWAY HEADING EAST FROM THE LONG BEACH BLVD ENTRANCE. WHEN DOING THE TURN ONTO THE FREEWAY (U) THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED/CAR SHIFTED AND BOTH THE ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNED ON. CAR WAS SHAKEY WHOLE TIME UNTIL I PULLED OVER.”
NHTSA complaint #11406152, 2021
“LUG NUTS HAVE CHROME CAP WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE LUGNUT. LUG WRENCH FITS OVER THE CAP. CAP COMES OFF EXPOSING THE LUGNUT, HOWEVER THE LUG WRENCH DOES NOT FIT TIGHTLY OVER, THE EXPOSED LUGNUT. NEED SEPARATE WRENCH (NOT INCLUDED WITH THE VEHICLE TO REMOVE THE LUGNUT IF THE CAP BREAKS OFF.”
NHTSA complaint #11246559, 2019
“WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, THE TREAD FROM A CONTINENTAL TIRE CONTIPROCONTACT CATASTROPHICALLY AND SUDDENLY RIPPED AWAY CAUSING EXTREME DAMAGE ($4915.15 IN REPAIRS) TO THE BODY OF MY VEHICLE. I FILED A CLAIM WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES REGARDING THIS INCIDENT AND THIS CLAIM WAS DENIED STATING THERE WAS PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. THEIR LETTER STATING THIS CLAIM WAS UNSIGNED, AND THERE WAS NOT REPORT DETAILING THEIR CLAIM, OR EVEN THE NAME OR CREDENTIALS OF THE PERSON MAKING THIS DECLARATION. IN TALKING WITH A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN TIRE BUSINESS WHO OBSERVED THE TIRE, THEY STATE THAT WHAT THE…”
NHTSA complaint #11174659, 2018
Lane Departure 2
“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11587534, 2024
“My car read that the side detection system went offline, shortly after every warning light on the dash came on and the entire car shut off going down the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11491905, 2022
Service Brakes 2 1 crash
“CAR PLOWED INTO BROTHERS CARPORT AND TRAILER DOING $9,000 DAMAGE TO HIS PROPERTY, DID $16,000 DAMAGE TO CAR. INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NOT TOTAL CAR, HAD IT REPAIRED TOOK OVER THREE MONTHS. GOT CAR BACK AND THE SAME DAY, WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES GOT HARD AND WOULD NOT STOP. I KEPT HITTING BRAKES AND FINALLY STOPPED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP, ADAMS BUICK, RICHMOND. THEY REPAIRED IT AFTER FEW DAYS THEY CALLED AND I PICKED IT UP. WAS DRIVING HOME GOT ABOUT HALF A MILE BRAKES DID SAME THING. THEY WORKED ON IT AGAIN AND FOUND $1200. MORE WORK HAD TO BE DONE ON BRAKES. THEY WOU…”
NHTSA complaint #11015266, 2017 · crash
“WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE MY CAR JUMPS AND STALLS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS 3 THIRD TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN NOT EVEN A YEAR”
NHTSA complaint #11395306, 2021
Suspension 2
“power steering failure while driving at highway speeds. In traffic had a warning come on power steering fault. Then wheel was hard to turn. Had to use strength to steer car home approx. 25 miles. Took to dealer they had car for 3 days before repair done. For $1800 repair bill. Said it was a circuit card in the steering system that was the problem. 2015 years had a recall but not 2016 . But the failure from the 2015 is the same with the 2016 year. GM contacted and they deny claim to get repair cost refunded.”
NHTSA complaint #11719555, 2024
“WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, STABILIZER AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHILE IN DRIVE, ACCELERATING, TACH AND SPEED DROPPED TO NOTHING. STABILIZER LIGHT FLASHED. PARKED VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARED. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO NEAR BY PARKING LOT, NO POWER STEERING, TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT SHIFT GEARS WHEN ACCELERATED. SPEEDOMETER AND TACH DIDN'T WORK. NOTICED HEATER STAYED ON WHEN KEY WAS REMOVED. STARTED CAR, SAME MESSAGE, SAME LIGHTS. TURNED HEATER OFF, REMOVED KEY. HEARTER LIGHTS STAYED ON, AND FAN KEPT RUNNING. CAR SITTING AT A DEALERSHIP, WI…”
NHTSA complaint #11291268, 2019
Visibility/Wiper 2
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK ENCORE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR HATCH WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD TRIM MOLDING SEPARATED PRIOR TO THE REAR WINDSHIELD FRACTURING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11233748, 2019
“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN THE RAIN, I HAVE NEARLY WRECKED OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TO OTHERS DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.”
NHTSA complaint #11047388, 2016
Exterior Lighting 1
“THIS PROBLEM IS WITH THE STOP START FEATURE ON MY CAR WHICH IF I KNEW ABOUT IT I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT. MY HUSBAND HAS HATED THIS CAR SINCE DAY ONE AND ONLY BOUGHT IT AS I HAVE STAGE 4 CANCER AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CAR. HE WANTED A SUBARU WHICH HE CAN GET ONCE I LEAVE THE EARTH.I NOW LONGER AM PLEASED WITH THIS CAR AS IT WILL LEAD TO MY DEATH SOONER THAN THE CANCER. WHEN THIS CAR STOPS TO SAVE GAS HA HA USES MORE THE MOTOR SHUTS OFF SO THE HEADLIGHTS DIM. THEN WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS THEY BRIGHTEN. WELL DRIVERS AROUND HERE THINK WE ARE TELLING THEM TO GO AS WE BLINKED THE LIGHTS AT THEM EVEN…”
NHTSA complaint #11058612, 2017
Seats 1
“I recently put the back seats down to put some boxes back there. It is stuck down. I don't know if the seat itself is stuck or if the seatbelt is messed up in there. Either way. I need my seat back up.”
NHTSA complaint #11417882, 2021
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 2016 Buick Encore draws about 7.2 complaints per year on the road, ranking 5 of 10 among the Buick Encore model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).
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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.