2017 Buick Encore problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (19) · Visibility/Wiper (8) · Seat Belts (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
45 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 (1,121)
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 1,121 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-19 · Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · 58,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 buick encore. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed two fractured lug nuts on the front passenger-side wheel and two fractured lug nuts on the rear passenger-side wheel. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the lug nuts required replacement. the contact …”
2026-07-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the factory-installed turbocharger assembly on my 2017 buick encore failed mechanically while operating the vehicle, creating an immediate and severe roadway safety hazard.the structural failure of the turbocharger causes the vehicle to experience a sudden, unpredictable, and extreme loss of engine propulsion while actively driving. this severe pow…”
2026-07-16 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · 129,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 buick encore. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended in the driveway in front of the residence, the front passenger’s side tire suddenly blew out. the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was towed to a local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. the ve…”
2026-06-11 · Engine“there is a problem with the 2017 buick encore turbocharger. from speaking with the auto shop i took it to for a check they have seen many buick encore’s with the same turbocharger problems. he spoke to me about it prior to me dropping off the vehicle and then confirming the issue after inspecting the vehicle. the turbocharger inspection revealed a …”
2026-05-29 · Wheels“unknown. my 2017 buick encore while parked in front of my home just blew up at 1 am. i have a video of this occuring. it was on the passengers side. my neighbor stated that he heard a loud bang and went outside. he said parts were flying off my car. i don't know how to send the video but i do have one when this occured. i have contacted buick …”
2026-05-22 · Unknown Or Other“formal consumer complaint statement — gm / crivelli buick i am filing a formal consumer complaint against crivelli chevrolet buick gmc and general motors/buick regarding what i believe was discriminatory and unfair treatment in connection with a warranty-covered vehicle repair. the customer is [xxx] , owner of a 2017 buick encore. the vehicle was…”
2026-05-17 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems“will vehicle was parked in my driveway there was a loud like explosion. it just exploded. my passenger size of my vehicle is totalled. i do have a video of the car blowing up. i am so happy that it was late in the early mornings. i have grandkids that play here and one of them could have got hurt or killed.…”
2026-03-20 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 88,000 mi“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 t…”
2026-03-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 44,000 mi“the contact owns a 2017 buick encore. the contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the engine was running rough, and the vehicle experienced reduced power. the stabili-trak and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to auto zone, where a diagnostic trouble code for a cylinder misfire was retrieved. the vehicle w…”
2026-02-17 · Structure:body“rear passenger doors fail to engage internal lock when child-lock feature is on, door can still be opened from interior. rear door locks fail to properly engage when locking and unlocking vehicle…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.