2016 Buick Encore problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (22) · Power Train (9) · Fuel/Propulsion System (8)
🧭 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
41 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2017-07-10 · campaign 17V437000 · 40,683 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2016-09-08 · campaign 16V651000 · 3,640,162 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Service bulletins (1,253)
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 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,253 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-01 · Power Train“sequential powertrain and turbocharger failure on 1.4l ecotec engine following $5,700 in prior engine repairs. vehicle experienced sudden loss of motive power. component is covered under gm special coverage/warranty. authorized gm dealer (mike haggerty buick gmc) and general motors have engaged in warranty evasion, refusing repair authorization and…”
2026-07-31 · Structure:body“we noticed the paint bubbling on one of her doors on the car and took it to the dealership who took no accountability. now the car is peeling in the back and we’ve also noticed the same car, same model and make on the road with the same paint peeling issues that there’s no formal recall as of yet and we are not getting any resolution with gm.…”
2026-07-13 · Electrical System“ignition switch getting very hot…”
2026-02-21 · Suspension“power steering failure while driving at highway speeds. in traffic had a warning come on power steering fault. then wheel was hard to turn. had to use strength to steer car home approx. 25 miles. took to dealer they had car for 3 days before repair done. for $1800 repair bill. said it was a circuit card in the steering system that was the problem.…”
2026-02-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“turbo exhibits exact same symptoms of 17-18 encore recall for the turbo. i frequently get the p0299 code the car becomes sluggish and hesitates to take off from a stop when this code comes on making this car dangerous to drive. this issue has almost caused multiple accidents because the car is so under powered that its hard to get the car across t…”
2026-01-17 · Unknown Or Other“ on my way home in december 2025, my car started to sputter and make noises. all of a sudden the car started going about 10-15 miles. i almost go hit by several vehicles, because they had to put on brakes, i was trying to go up then down a hilly road. i finally was able to get to an auto advance shop, i had to tow the car to honda then to buick for…”
2026-01-07 · Power Train“i was stopped at a traffic light and began moving forward to make a turn into traffic. as i activated my turn signal and started to proceed through the intersection, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off without warning, causing an immediate loss of power while the vehicle was in motion. another vehicle was entering the intersection at the same…”
2025-10-27 · Steering · 88,300 mi“the contact owns a 2016 buick encore. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the message "steering fault" was displayed, the steering icon was illuminated, and the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. the following day, the contact discovered that the vehicle could be started. the cause of the failure was not yet d…”
2025-08-14 · Engine“vehicle unable to hold coolant. local shop says the coolant lines hold pressure and leak appears to be with manifold and turbo. car has less than 35k miles. there is a recall for this turbo issue with 2017 and up models but why not for 2016, or any other years with same issue?…”
2025-06-16 · Engine“i believe my turbocharge is malfunctioning. the check engine light is on with code p0299. my vehicle is struggling to accelerate properly putting us in a few close calls while driving. yes it is available for inspection - i've seen one mechanic on 6/13/25 - scheduled a follow up with a different one on 6/20/25 and have an appointment scheduled with…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.