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2018 Buick Encore: sudden loss of power

6 of the 75 complaints about the 2018 Buick Encore describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints
6
of this car's complaints
8%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 206 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

  • 2021
    2
  • 2020
    2
  • 2019
    3
  • 2018
    6
  • 2017
    4
  • 2016
    4
  • 2015
    10
  • 2014
    2
  • 2013
    2

What owners say

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Engine · AZ

After filling up fuel vehicle starts and stalls out. This occurs while driving at stop signs. And also while driving loss of power. There is something wrong in the engine, timing belt, fuel, etc.

Filed Nov 17, 2025 · Driver assistance · 20,401 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The Stabili-trak warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure however, where the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the brake sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately 6 months later. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown code was cleared. The contact stated that a month after the code was cleared, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,401.

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Engine · OH

Component failure: the engine timing chain. Yes, it is available for inspection. Safety risk: vehicle hesitated and lost power in traffic, causing my vehicle to automatically slow down where I was no longer driving at the speed limit. My safety and other drivers around me was compromised as this could have caused a major accident should I have been rear ended. I had it towed to lambert buick, cuyahoga falls, ohio. They diagnosed a timing chain malfunction which was confirmed by dealership diagnostic testing. I was advised not to drive vehicle due to engine damage potential. I had it towed back to my home and have not driven it since. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance or anyone else. There was no warning, messages or any symptoms prior to the engine timing chain issue. A warning light only came on when the car hesitated and lost power in traffic.

Filed Feb 15, 2025 · Engine · LA

During normal driving the car would lose power. RPM's would drop and with engine sputtering. No trouble codes show up.

Filed Jan 10, 2025 · Engine · MI

I have been alerted by General Motors, via a letter that I received in March, 2024, that, due to a defect, my car's (a 2018 model year Buick Encore) engine may have a "condition where the turbocharger could fail" and that "the engine may run rough or have reduced power." In the letter, they have offered "additional protection for the condition" if the "condition occurs...within 10 years of the date your car was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles...whichever occurs first." On [XXX], my car was at 126,819 miles, and had all of the symptoms of the issue that were described in the March 2024 letter ("the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate and a diagnostic trouble code will set. Additionally, the engine may run rough or have reduced power.") On May 3, 2024, I contacted GM at the phone number provided in the March 2024 letter ((800) 521-7300.) I was told by the GM representative that, because I was "over the mileage", that any GM dealer would have to charge me a $130.00 Diagnostic Fee to diagnose the issue, and, that even after diagnosing, there was no guarantee that GM would fix the issue, because I was "over the mileage". The GM representative also said I could ask the dealer to waive the Diagnostic Fee, at the dealer's discretion. If, after paying the Diagnostic Fee, and if the Diagnostic Fee revealed that my car did have the "turbocharger fail condition", that I could THEN contact GM to see IF they would cover the repair cost. In May, 2024, my car was at about 128,000 miles. I contacted two GM dealers: Les Stanford Buick in Ferndale, MI, and James Martin Chevy in Detroit, MI. Both refused to waive the Diagnostic Fee. So, in other words: - GM has created a defective, potentially DANGEROUS product, that GM acknowledges is defective. - GM created a warranty extension in which GM arbitrarily extended the warranty mileage and time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 8, 2021 · Engine · TX

Unknown. On Highway total loss of power, unable to steer.

Questions about the 2018 Buick Encore loss of power

Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2018 Buick Encore?

6 of 75 owner complaints about the 2018 Buick Encore (8%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2015.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Buick Encore?

There are 0 recalls and 206 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 Buick Encore

Check engine light 19Stalling 6

All model years of the Buick Encore

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