Check a VIN

Buick Encore engine failure problems

16 of the 605 owner complaints about the Buick Encore describe engine failure, most of them for the 2015 model year.

owner complaints
16
worst model year
2015
typical mileage
58,500
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2021
    1
  • 2019
    2
  • 2017
    3
  • 2016
    4
  • 2015
    5
  • 2014
    1

What owners say

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Engine · OH

Weber road auto service replaced the engine using county PRC and out-of-pocket funds, and the newly installed used engine has an active engine oil cooler leak, creating an immediate vehicle fire and sudden engine stalling hazard. Also there’s a leak at the ac compressor, condenser and coupler valves. This was discovered by Buckeye Auto Service. No repairs have been made as first shop keeps brushing me off.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine · AL

SUV has ran hot and had it towed on 3 separate occasions when this happened. Had thermostat and water pump replaced. Not fixed. Coolant keeps running out if bottom of suv. It is at dealership and blown head gasket and probably much worse. Apparently these models have something wrong with cooling system. The engine cost will be about what I owe on it. Buick needs to pay for another engine for my SUV. I have a warranty but they won’t honor the engine replacement and I’m out of a vehicle.

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · 138,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The traction control warning light and the power steering warning light was illuminated, and the message to “Contact Dealer for Service” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that one of the wiring harnesses connected with the CPU had failed. The wiring harness in the CPU was replaced. After the repair, while driving 60 MPH, the failure reoccurred and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Engine · 70,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2014 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and replaced the 02 sensor. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light became illuminated again. The contact had the vehicle towed to another mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed to another mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that a cylinder in the engine failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the manufacturer of the failure but received no assistance in repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · AZ

First the car started to act odd, jumpy or you could tell there was issues with the turbo. On [XXX] car overheated??? Out of nowhere. Mileage 82049. No warnings, no lights. We had it towed to shop where we were told we need new turbo, new engine, power steering service, ac service. The total Cost was $6813.54. We had to take out 2 loans - 90 days same as cash then 145% interest as well as pay $243.54 in Cash. We were guaranteed the car was in great condition. We picked it up on 1/24/25. Then on [XXX] - Odometer reading 82509 - We pulled over on the side of the road to grab something from the trunk. Driver got back in car and all of a sudden the car just shut down saying overheated and smoke was coming out of the hood. Again, Absolutely no warning, no lights, no weird noises, nothing! We are now stuck in the middle of nowhere with our [XXX] granddaughter. Thank God a police man drove by. The next day we had to have it towed back to shop. Once back to the shop we were told that the engine or labor that they just put in our vehicle would not be covered by warranty. Nothing was fixed!!! I contacted the attorney general. We went to pick it up on 3/28/2025. Once they got involved the shop agreed to do all repairs for $1873.96. (pay $600 now and then post date 2 more checks). The owners said they looked over everything and nothing should be going wrong. It should be good as new. On [XXX] We were on our way to Puerto Penasco Mexico where we have a vacation home. About 20 miles into Mexico the car just stopped. Tons of Smoke from the tail pipe, Low oil pressure all of a sudden came on. I am attaching pics showing that the car was not showing overheated. So now my husband and i are stuck on the side of the road in Mexico with no cell phone service with a [XXX] car that we can not get fixed no matter how much money or time we put into it. When we finally got ahold of the shop they said they are washing their hands of it and do not want to see this car again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Filed Feb 25, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · OR

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] north bound, left lane, uphill at 55MPH in moderate traffic on a six-lane divided freeway. Suddenly the car lost half power, began missing and shaking badly, speed dropped to about 30 MPH with cars serving behind us, flying past us honking. We were panicked, not knowing if the car would seize up completely or the engine would explode. Fortunately, we limped off the highway without having to stop. We took the car back to the dealership where we bought it, for service. The next day they emailed a video of their inspection of the vehicle showing Cylinder 1 has very low compression of about 60 when normal should be 180 to 210 psi, which indicates a likely blown piston. April 30, 2019, the federal safety agency Service Bulletin 19-NA-090 describes the identical symptoms the Encore is experiencing: Misfire and low compression in one or more cylinders. Both the Buick GMC of Beaverton dealership and General Motors, 800‑521‑7300 are refusing to honor the original 70K mile warranty since they're indicating the warranty expired on 01/21/2023. We are devastated that because we pampered the vehicle and only drove it 17,000 miles in nearly 6 years, we are being unfairly penalized. GM admits that if we had driven the vehicle more and this same engine failure occurred at just 49K miles prior to January 20, 2023, they would immediately replace the engine. Help! We are requesting that the federal safety agency INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Filed Jul 30, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Turbo replaced under recall in March 2024 at local GMC dealership. June 2024 oil changed at independent service center and was informed that oil leak from turbo present. Vehicle brought back to dealership in June 2024 where vehicle was repaired for oil feed line being loose at the feed line. July 2024 car taken to independent mechanic and informed that a new turbo is needed. If turbo problem persists it will result in the vehicle shutting down while driving, violent shaking of the engine, and acceleration issues that could result in full engine failure if not resolved. The repairs done for the recall has not rectified the faulty turbo problem. The faulty turbos originally installed and being used for replacements are a safety hazard for any Buick Encore driver.

Filed Jul 4, 2024 · Engine · FL

Engine, vehicle purchased end 2019. Several repairs, New Battery, some warranty repairs. March of 2022 PO131 - HO2s PO171 fuel trim lean PO300 engine misfire Evap system flow PO496 P1101 intake airflow UO401, 71 invalid data from the motor. Jun 2023 Need a New Engine 10k (Dealership) Sought out 2nd opinion 8k for New Engine Vehicle has been dead ever since. Repairs surpass what’s owed.

Filed Jan 30, 2024 · Steering · 88,326 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized with the electronic power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a gas station temporarily. The dealer was contacted and suggested the contact call the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V146000 (Steering) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,326.

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Engine · 58,500 miles · WI

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. The manufacturer informed the contact that a portion of the cost of the repair would be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 58,500.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Buick Encore engine failure

Which Buick Encore years have engine failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2015 (5 complaints), 2016 (4 complaints) and 2017 (3 complaints).

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Buick Encore?

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

Check its history