Buick Encore won't shift problems

Filed Jun 9, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · SC

Transmission wouldn't shift out of 2nd gear and wouldnt shift into reverse. Has no power steering or power brakes

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Engine · 88,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and went into "LIMP Mode". Additionally, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the issue but declined to service the vehicle because the vehicle had a salvage title. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2019 Buick Encore. The contact stated that after the vehicle was stopped, the gear shift lever was stuck in park(P). After several attempts, the contact was able to move the gear shifter lever. The contact stated that the drive back to the residence was rough. Two or three days later, the gear shift lever failed to function as intended. The service warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and retrieved DTC: P171D (For transmission pressure issue and oil leak). The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided with the same DTC and informed that the transmission had failed and was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. Upon further investigation, the contact learned that the failure might be related to missing bolts on the transmission accumulator. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2024 · Engine · MI

There are many Buick Encores, including 2018 that have a problem with acceleator position sensors. My car’s vin # shows that it does not have this notice, and thus no problem. However, in July this 2018 Buick Encore went into ‘limp mode, check engine light came on. Code for problem was 2138 (accelerator Pedal Position Sensor) The initial dealer solution was to apply dielectric grease. However, this ‘cure’ lasted . 15 miles, when it went into limp mode,,, again check engine icon came on THIS is very dangerous, as it cannot accelerate and from a stop, it does not move until a minute later… that is so frightening, I again took it to the deaer, same code of P2138, and now they recommend the accelerator pedal positon sensor replacement…. THIS is identical to the problems with the other Encores, This is a severe safety issue, and the rest of the 2018 Buick Encores should be included for notification AND repair .

Filed Sep 11, 2023 · Acceleration · 22,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2017 Buick Encore. The contact stated when the vehicle was first started, the vehicle accelerated to approximately 10 MPH and then the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the check engine and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an Auto Parts store where DTC code: P2138 was retrieved. The failure was related to the accelerator position sensor. The contact was informed that the accelerator pedal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2022 · Steering · MS

The car stopped having power steering and went into limp mode while I was turning into a school and then stalled.

Filed May 6, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Vehicle has been in and out of shop since Feb 2022 for 'limp mode' disabled due to faulty booster or something. Vehicles leave driver stranded unable to accelerate or maneuver vehicle to avoid a collision. I'm told this is a well known problem for both this vehicle and the chevy cruze although no recalls are out for this huge safety issue. Somebody is seriously going to get injured if driver is unable to move car to safety when it just dies on the highway or road. All documentation is available for the excessive repairs that don't resolve the issue the correction only last from 24 hours to 2 weeks before the light comes on again and car dies.

Filed Sep 2, 2020 · Engine · 37,000 miles · OH

My vehicle was in motion on the highway at an approximate speed of 65mph and suddenly I heard a strange pop. My car immediately went into limp mode causing my speed to drop to 25mph on a moderately crowded interstate highway. Due to the dangerous nature of this issue, I drove on the shoulder to the closest exit and drove the car to the closest dealership. 6 different trouble codes were pulled on the vehicle. I purchased my vehicle less than 6 months ago along with a gmpp extended warranty. For two weeks, the warranty could not be found and I was calling numerous warranty companies trying to find out what occurred with my warranty. After the 2 weeks of calls and confusion, the dealership stated that they would cover the pcv valve issue that they had diagnosed to be the problem. The dealership never stated that the pcv valve malfunction was in fact a "special added protection issue" put out by gm in august. I finally received my vehicle back two days ago and the car is still not working as it was before this repair. It is idling hard and at high RPM and also hesitating during acceleration.

Filed Jul 10, 2020 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · UT

If the vehicle detects a turbo under boost condition, engine power is immediately reduced (limp mode) with no indicator light or warning to the driver. This happened on a mountain highway, I did not know the vehicle was in limp mode and as I accelerated into traffic I was almost hit by a truck from behind. I learned through experience, if no turbo boost error occurs during the next drive cycle, (ie coming home down the mountain road) the pending code is cleared and the same condition can happen again, again without setting a cel.

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 2,100 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

I was stopped in a drive thru taco bell and the clerk dropped my change dollars from my purchase so I reacted by opening the door to pick up the money by taking my foot off the brake without putting it in park because it was a reaction. The car's stop start feature surged the car forward pinning my legs between the car and the building. I couldn't put the car in park because my legs were pinned and the vehicle shift would not go into park. I screamed and the clerk had to take my shoes off so I could pull my legs in the car. I went directly to urgent care. My legs were severely bruised. This is a major safety issue. The car should not surge forward like that. I've had the car for 1 month and it scraped the driver side door and front tire/rim. $1500 damage but lost a days work and several weeks of recovery. The same thing could happen at an atm. I used to work for gm and test drive vehicles this engine stop/start feature should have an electric feature similar to what ford has that once the door opens, the drive goes automatically to park. This should be a safety recall!!! 10/8/19.