2013 Buick Encore problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (12) · Vehicle Speed Control (6) · Power Train (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Buick Encore model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
39 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Electrical System:ignition 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock lever
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Seat Belts:front 2014-08-08 · campaign 14V488000 · 48,114 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.
Risk: If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14171.
Seats 2014-07-23 · campaign 14V446000 · 124,007 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Risk: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
Equipment:electrical 2014-07-02 · campaign 14V417000 · 2,990 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can beco
Risk: Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
Air Bags 2014-06-06 · campaign 14V298000 · 61 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured April 10, 2013, to May 8, 2013, and Chevrolet Spark vehicles manufactured December 30, 2012, to March 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, an improper weld on the passenger side front air bag inflator may result in the air bag not deploying.
Risk: If the air bag does not to deploy in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14211.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2013-03-28 · campaign 13V105000 · 144 vehicles
Defect: General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured between December 9, 2012 and December 28, 2012, and equipped with a heated steering wheel. The steering wheel fastener may not have been properly installed. This could cause the steering wheel to come loose or separate from the steering column.
Risk: If the steering wheel separates from the steering column while driving, the ability to steer could be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and make any necessary repairs on the steering wheel. These services will be provided at no charge to the customer. The safety recall began on May 21, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300. This is General Motors campaign number 13098.
Service bulletins (1,626)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,626 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-12-21 · Engine“my car had problems with overheating. i check my oil and coolant levels. my car show check engine light so i took it to mechanics to get check. the invoice states possible blown head gaskets. i research online similar complaints with other buick encore 2013. i just this car march 2023 has about 89000. i am making payments.…”
2023-07-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the check engine light came and took the car to o'reillys and was informed it had low turbo boost code took car to the dealership and they indeed confirmed that was the issue and that it would be over $3000.00 to fix!!! i bought this car 4 months ago and this seems to be an issue with a few other owners as well buick needs to recall this part!!! i…”
2021-08-26 · Power Train“the turbo charger is underboost and can explode the engine with oil flying everywhere …”
2019-09-26 · Engine“turbo went out twice within 3 months. also i waited for 6 weeks on a back ordered part. so much service work... problem after problem this car is a lemon. the paint literally fell off the mirrors within the first year.…”
2019-07-16 · Engine“check engine light came on was determined cadillac converter needs to be replaced only has 89105 miles on it…”
2019-05-09 · Unknown Or Other · 59,000 mi“i wanted to register a concern about my 2013 buick encore. two days ago, while on the highway, my sunroof literally exploded. the glass shards didn't injure me, but i felt helpless while on the expressway. there was nothing indicating concerns or issues with the sun roof, i am fortunate to escape harm, but wanted gm to be aware of this danger. we h…”
2019-05-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 66,790 mi“check engine light came on and then started flashing while in motion. the traction light came on and off repeatedly. the engine had reduced power and at times would only go 30-35mph even with pedal mashed all the way. i took the vehicle to o'reilly's and they checked the codes which show camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, cylinder 2 misfire, turbo…”
2019-03-14 · Power Train · 70,000 mi“the engine oil cooler is leaking. the front driver axle shaft seal is leaking. the car is running too lean the check engine light is on. i replaced the air filter and clean fuel injectors and the car is sputtering and the check engine light is still on. the car sputters when stationary as well as moving.…”
2018-11-28 · Power Train · 108,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2013 buick encore. the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. one side of the vehicle was able to be heated through the vents while the other side was not able. the vehicle also jerked when the accelerator pedal was depressed. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the electrical…”
2018-11-05 · Engine · 101,917 mi“early this year we start having problems with the check engine light coming on then the reduce power to engine coming on, so we took it back to the dealership we bought if from. so first we had to have three sensors changed, we did that and after that was done it still kept jumping on 4 time before it stopped. then june of this year it started back…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.