Check a VIN

2018 Buick Encore transmission problems

10 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 48,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
13%
typical mileage
48,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Buick Encore transmission problems in other years

2013201420152016201720182019202020212022

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2018 Buick Encore owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · IL

The contact owned a 2018 Buick Encore. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service AWD" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The warning light remained illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, however, the vehicle was not yet repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 147,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Encore. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission malfunctioned while in first gear, and the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from being stationary. Additionally, the message "Stabilizer" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yetbeen determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 147,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2024 · Transmission · WI

Turbo has gone out four times in less than a year. Car is unable to accelerate and goes way below speed limit on highway which puts me and my passengers in an unsafe position traveling on a high limit road. No. Only inspected by the auto repair places I have been. No warnings prior to the Turbo going out. Turbo goes out while going up hills or going at higher rates of speed.

Filed Jul 5, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Feel like the car is loosing drive/power and not accelerating. I was driving and the engine light started flashing. No power to go up the hill, it could have gone backwards. Car does not accelerate made a whirring noise when it was turned off. Dangerous situation. Service Bulletin #N212338400

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Seat belts, Transmission · PA

Stabilitrak warning comes on and car stalls out. Passenger seat belt doesn't clip person in correctly.

Filed Jul 26, 2021 · Locks, Transmission · 800 miles · CO

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2018 Buick Encore. The contact stated while his girlfriend was driving 35 mph, the vehicle inadvertently shifted to neutral and all the door latches unlocked independently. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The driver continued driving to her destination. The contact stated he also experienced the same failure while driving up a hill. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact also took the vehicle to O'Meara Buick GMC (2000 W. 104th Ave, Thornton, CO 80234, (720) 712-0951) and the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 800.

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · SC

With estimating my months over a span of 4 months I had my turbo charger replacedbecause it had gone bad. I was out of town the light came on. And when I return I took it to the shop they diagnose it and said it was a turbo charger. I had an extended warranty on the car so they replace the turbo charger with no problems give me a rental with no problems everything was covered.. And a month and a half later my engine light came on and I replaced the purge valve another month or so later the engine light came back on and it was a turbo charger gone bad again. It took about week to find out why the turbo charge went bad. They finally said it had something to do with the return and supply line like there was no lubrication coming through a hose tthat runs to the turbo charge. This is the only place that I've had my oil change since I bought the car from king cadillac buick gmc. I went one other place one other time and that was it.I wonder why they did not check the supply line when they change the turbocharger the first time is that not a part of changing the turbo charge. I was told that they have seen this issue before but not a lot.when this first happened I was on interstate 40 on my way to was to salem north carolina. And I noticed a decline when I went to celebrate on the gas. When it happened the second time I was riding to church here in my hometown and the engine light came on and just riding around hell is as if the car did not want to go like I would give it to gas and it would hesitate or not want to drive.

Filed Jan 19, 2021 · Transmission · 7,132 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 buick encore. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the front end of the vehicle started to shake and shudder. The contact stated that the steering wheel to ceased and the vehicle loss motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to mark porter chevrolet buick gmc (42411 charles chancey drive, pomeroy, oh 45769). An unknown module was replaced and the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,132.

Filed Nov 29, 2019 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 48,000 miles · CA

8/14-car was lacking power, service manager was able to duplicate issue on road test . 8/24-car service for rough idle and lack of power, service stabilitrak light on and check engine light on with an error code of p0171. In september, car started to shake while in park but no check engine light, dealer advise unable to do any repairs unless check engine light on. 11/27- check engine light on again for same code, p0171. Vehicle is currently in shop. Vehicle has had the same issues dec 2018 and at the time of purchase. Gm dealers are not able to fix turbo issue and p0171 issues. My vehicle is not operating as designed and it is a safety issue.

Filed Aug 2, 2018 · Transmission · 5,200 miles · NY · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 buick encore. While the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, it inadvertently rolled away and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer (nye buick gmc, 1421 genesee st, oneida, ny 13421, (315) 363-2200) where it was awaiting to be diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,200.

Questions about the 2018 Buick Encore transmission

Does the 2018 Buick Encore have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the transmission of the 2018 Buick Encore, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Buick Encore transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 48,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Buick Encore transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Buick Encore have bad transmission?

The Buick Encore model years with the most transmission complaints are 2016 (12 complaints), 2015 (11 complaints) and 2018 (10 complaints).

Other 2018 Buick Encore problems

Engine 32Brakes 11Airbags 10Electrical 9Fuel system 6Steering 6Driver assistance 5Acceleration 3Seat belts 2Body 1Lights 1Locks 1Visibility 1Wheels 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2018 Buick Encore?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history