2015 Buick Encore: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 15, 2025 · Engine · CO

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact became aware of oil underneath the vehicle on the driveway, resulting in a complete loss of power. The vehicle leaked oil and lost the vehicle lost power twice. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and determined that the mass air flow sensor had failed. The MAF sensor was replaced twice, the Oxygen sensors were replaced three times, and the turbocharger was replaced once. The failures persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 13, 2023 · Engine · ME

It seems like the 2015 Buick Encores are having a lot of the same issues. I do not see a recall for any of these issues. 1. loss of power when trying to accelerate. This has almost caused an accident for me. I had plenty of time to pull out, but my car wouldn't speed up. Thankfully the car coming up noticed I was having issues and slowed down. This also may affect the performance and fuel efficiency of the vehicle. No warning lights came on. It eventually corrected itself and I was able to accelerate. This has been an ongoing issue. Nobody seems to know what is causing this or how to fix it. 2. I start my car and put it into gear, and it shakes like it wants to stall. I quickly put it back into park and wait a few minutes before putting it back into gear. It also does this while I am waiting at lights at intersections. That is very concerning because if i stall mid intersection this could cause and accident and or injury to me or other motorists. No lights appear when this happens. Again, nobody knows why it does this or how to correct it. 3. Back of my car stared chipping paint for no reason. There was no trauma to cause this to occur. Apparently, this is another common issue with this car. I've read that there have been lawsuits against the company for using paint similar to what this is doing. 3. I had to replace my engine under two years of having it. It was still under warranty at the time, but I hadn't had the car very long at all.

Filed Apr 12, 2023 · Steering · 50,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist and became firm. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed May 23, 2022 · Steering · IN

while driving, the check engine light came on, traction assist light and then the car lost power steering. Very scary.

Filed Jul 27, 2020 · Steering · 5,000 miles · VT

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 buick encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed, the vehicle loss power steering assist and stalled with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's sister's residence. The contact called casey chevrolet located at 11700 jefferson ave, newport news, va 23606, and was notified of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v146000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Feb 11, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 103,888 miles · MD

While driving mostly on highway after approximately 30-40 minutes the stabilitrak light begins to flash on and off, then it goes solid, then the power steering light comes on, then the service power steering display lights up and the power steering completely goes out. When this happens reverse no longer works. On 12/10/19 I had to have car towed to wilkins buick, they kept it for 2 days, noted that they did see multiple detects for loss of communication w/power steering control module and said the battery cable was loose, charged me $440.60. On 1/10/20 lost power steering again, we unhooked the battery, rehooked it which cleared the lights and was able to get home, parked car for the weekend. On 1/13/20 while driving on highway to work, after approx 30 minutes of continuous hwy driving, the stabilitrak light began flashing. I dropped it off at heritage buick that night. They kept the car from 1/14/20-1/20/20, told me they did see multiple previous codes about loss of communication with power steering the problem did not happen when they drove it and there was nothing they could do. I picked car up on 1/21/20. They did not charge me, gave me no paperwork. On 1/13/20 I did open a complaint with gm, case [xxx] because there had been a closed recall 15168, #15v14600 for same problem with 2015 encores with build dates beginning 1 month after mine. On 1/31/20 after driving approx 1.5hrs on highway I lost the power steering again, unhooked battery, reset ,drove home, parked car for weekend. 2/3/20 after driving 30 minutes on hwy stabilitrak light began flashing, dropped car at heritage buick. They have had car since then, on 2/6/20 I escalated complaint with gm, on 2/7/20 [xxx] @ gm called w/new case [xxx], have not had any contact from either heritage buick or gm since. I left a message for heritage earlier today requested update, no response yet. *dl parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Engine · 83,809 miles · WI

Plastic valve cover warped at/before 83809 miles, leading to vacuum leak/loss of power.

Filed Jul 16, 2018 · Steering · MD

While driving and the engine on we experienced loss of power steering. Luckily it occurred as we were pulling away from the driveway, we attempted to re-engine the vehicle to no avail. Eventually the vehicle had to be towed away.

Filed Mar 30, 2017 · Steering · 30,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 buick encore. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering while driving various speeds. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated and the gauges fluctuated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose ground cable and the vehicle needed to be rewired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the failure occurred four times: three when their daughter operated the vehicle and once while the contact operated the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced nhsta campaign number: 15v146000 (steering) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Nov 8, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 24,800 miles · TX

Driving on freeway, approx 74 MPH in a 75 zone. About 1.5 hours in to a 2.5 hour trip. All systems were functioning and no warning lights were on. Car suddenly lost power on gas pedal , power steering light came on, check engine light came on , all gauges are functioning erratically and then all gauges stopped or went to zero. Light indictating the transmission gear kept changing. But the cars tranny didn't shift or change just the light for the gear indicator wasflashing. Car slowed to approx. 40 MPH, with the RPM's racing to approx. 4500/6000. Engine was still running and not over heating or any other lights except check engine and power steering light. Stopped car on shoulder to take inventory of situation, car running and idile RPM's seemed normal chk. Engine and power steering light still on, proceeded to drive again . No leaks or overheating . All gauges came back up/ on. Proceed to drive ... Car had no acceleration , very little , like the car was still in a higher gear . Speed up very slowly until it reached approx 55-60 MPH. But the RPM's were at 5500/6000 , felt like the tranny needed to shift but wouldn't. Slowed down to approx. 35-40 .. To get RPM's in line or more in line. Drove home last hour on side roads and frontage roads with flashers on. Can't drive that slow on a freeway. All of car functional were normals , AC , radio ,windows , lights . Just the power steering and check engine light stayed on with no acceleration power or power steering ....called dealer monday morning for a tow into the shop .