Buick Encore won't start problems

Filed Aug 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

Not long after I purchased my car, i noticed it was lacking power during takeoff and when driving uphill which forced my car to hit very high RPMs during normal use. There was also a P0299 code that appeared then disappeared frequently. I discovered a turbo special coverage N232395330 and took it to Williams GMC in Charlotte. After i told them very clearly what happened MULTIPLE times, confirming the underboost and the code, I even brought it in with the code, they told me the code wasnt "active" and that there no problems...even after i told them I didnt feel safe and couldnt pull out at intersections with fear of being rear-ended. I had videos, they refused to look at and told me to come back when the code was permanent. I drove the vehicle for the next year, 20k miles in order to get the code permanent, after a trip home, through the mountains, really tough without the turbo, my car was consistently pinging 4-5000 RPM under the speed limit on inclines...this happened every time I drove through, but this time the code was active the entire time. 2-3000 miles with the code, finally it was permanent. I brought the car back to Williams GMC, to get the turbo changed. I updated them on recent occurrences, flashing check engine light, the code active for 2-3k miles, and they performed a road test, and declared it wasn't a problem. I told them i recently spent 5k on repairing my cooling and AC system because the turbo, they said that wouldn't affect those components, meanwhile i know they have plastic parts that can melt and the engine being forced to push 4-5k RPM the extra heat could easily melt those parts. They said, nothing was wrong and the road test was good. sent me on my way. I called corporate, they told me to get a second opinion. I did [XXX] found the problem and changed the turbo per the special coverage N232395330. a week later, my engine overheated, i pulled over and it wouldnt start, engin won't hold compression. Car is tot now. Long story shrt INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · Engine · MI

Acceleration was reduced immediately on the freeway after the check engine light came on the day before with a P0299 code for turbocharger repair. Now the vehicle will not start and the dealership service said an additional code of po366 is now showing. Are these related? The turbocharger has an extended special coverage, but not engine repair that is likely the result of the turbocharger failure.

Filed Jan 31, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · NY · 1 injury

I got my car from Buick of Long Island City I was giving the wrong key mess up battery the car will not start and I crashed

Filed Jun 10, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

My vehicle would not start and I had no control over the computerized system.

Filed Dec 13, 2021 · Airbags, Engine · WI

Drivers airbag light stays on - immobilisation light stays on, car won't start. Both of these issues were addressed by TSB and complaints

Filed May 17, 2021 · Electrical · FL

This car has the engine shutoff feature when stopped. My wife was waiting in the left turn lane of a major street with three lanes on her side plus two left turning lanes. Due to the busy intersection the wait for a green light is long, perhaps three minutes. The engine shut off and would not restart when she released the brake pedal. Also, almost everything electrical was inoperable, including the interior door release. My wife and granddaughter were temporarily trapped inside the vehicle. She tried the door handle, tried to put down the windows, tried to unlock the car with the keyless remote but nothing would work, she was trapped. After several attempts of trying to restart the car and hitting the unlock button on the keyless entry the doors finally unlocked. The mechanical issue turned out to be a bad car battery; it had shorted out. The safety issue is when the battery dies most components are inoperable, including the interior door release. The dealer said this is the way the car works. If an Encore were to catch fire and the electrical system gets disabled, occupants would be trapped in the car. I think it is a design flaw for the doors to not open when the battery is dead. This should be easy to replicate. Unhook the car battery. Place someone in the car and have them lock the doors. Have the person try to exit the vehicle. In hindsight, the problem was going on for some time. My wife noticed the car taking longer times to restart after shutoff. The day before this incident she was at another long traffic light where the vehicle did not start on its own but the first manual try to restart started the vehicle. I believe this was due to the car battery slowing dying. The car has not been inspected for this as the dealer said the car is working as designed. The Buick dealer replaced the car battery under warranty. One thing I wish I brought to their attention but did not is the fact that no warning light came on indicating a weak car battery.

Filed Nov 7, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NY

When it rains most if the time the vehicle onstar sets off alerts for my antilock brakes and stability to be checked. Dealer said it is normal and not concerning but checked at the 1 year inspection for me. Npf. A month later a rainy day, alerts, and the vehicle wouldn't start. All the lights came on, 'press brake to start' appeared but pressing break did not start it. After an hour of trying various 'tricks' it started with the remote starter. A week later same thing. Rain, alerts, and no start. This time 2 hours of trying various tricks- (emergency break on off/ park pushed all the way up, wheels forward, remote start attempts, onstar diagnostics etc) I had to have it towed. The mechanic from aaa tried and nothing, we towed an hour back to dealership and he tried once more, nothing. Next morning the dealership reported npf. I am picking it up tomorrow but expect to report this happening again soon.

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Engine · 29,000 miles · MI

Started stalling at idle, then just shuttered and stalled while moving, 28882.moles. Had crank, air would run but would not restart. Dealer had it for a week and told me was battery. Weird because it had crank but wouldnt start. Had it back and immediately notice did not accelerate right, very hesitant and at idle nearly stalled, felt like was "missing". A few days later it stalled twice while at a stop light on busy street right in front of dealership! It stalled again 2 days later so back to dealership. No codes of course. They said drove it for miles and couldn't duplicate. They actually drove it for 9 miles! Gave me loaner and will keep it over weekend. Afraid someone is gonna run into back at a light when it stalls. Something is wrong and noone can figure it out.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · IL

Driving car locks up check engine light comes on says check power steering, we aimed to side of the shoulder car dies wouldn't start.we had to wait on side of a interstate for 3 hours to get a tow truck, very dangerous

Filed Mar 5, 2019 · Driver assistance · 36,000 miles · KY

Had trouble getting into the car the engine light and power steering warning came on. The radio face was not working but the radio was on with no keys in the ignition. Tried to start the car and it will not turn over. Took several minutes to get in/out of the vehicle. Once I exited the car I went back to get the VIN and again the radio was on no keys in the ignition and the service power steering light came on. I was just trying to start my car to go to work and it's like it's possessed