2019 Buick Encore problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (14) · Power Train (10) · 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
32 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2020-10-29 · campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2018-11-01 · campaign 18V774000 · 12 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.
Service bulletins (670)
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 2026-10-26 · GM Update N25-250552 · Over The Air
• improvements to onstar functionality.
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 670 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-19 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 30,000 mi“the contact owns a 2019 buick encore. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. additionally, the vehicle hesitated to start after multiple attempts. the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was purchased, and the mechanic replaced the oxygen sensor. despi…”
2026-10-11 · Wheels“front driver and passanger tire hubs made a warble sound. took to a good year auto shop for inspection and the driver tire disconnected from the hub. was informed this is not a normal wear and tear issue given the year and mileage of the vehicle, and to report it immediately. there were no warning lights just sounds reported and investigated to fin…”
2026-09-19 · Power Train · 🔥 fire“car erupted into flames while i was driving on expressway fire started in engine bay i have police report …”
2026-09-17 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2019 buick encore. the contact stated that the flex pipe was cracked, causing the contact to become ill from the fumes. the contact stated that there was an abnormal odor occasionally coming from the engine. no warning light was illuminated. the contact expressed concerns about the safety of driving the vehicle with the fumes ent…”
2026-08-08 · Engine“ loss of acceleration due to cracked turbo boost. i guess you need a special 2019 vin # to be included in a recall. recall for 2017 2018 and a select few 2019 very disappointed with this big repair job that is a known problem. i'm done with buick.…”
2026-07-29 · Engine“turbo boost failed. shows recalls for this issue on 2018 and 2019 buick encores, but gmc states mine is not covered.…”
2026-07-21 · Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection“92,000 miles my catalytic convertor went bad, had for 5 years. this resulted in lag when trying to accelerate and pull out in traffic. it cost $3,000 to fix as well as the turbocharger being broke. the blind spot detection to passenger side mirror stays on at all times and should only come on when there is an object detected in the right side bli…”
2026-07-16 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“on xxx, at approximately 1:00 p.m., my 2019 buick encore unexpectedly caught fire while i was operating it in [xxx]. prior to the fire, i experienced abnormal symptoms, including the vehicle failing to restart, a hissing sound, smoke coming from the engine compartment, and then visible flames. the smoke changed from black to white and then green be…”
2026-07-13 · Unknown Or Other“front radiator collant overflow expanion tank w/cap & sensor fluid level gets extremely low and sets off a dashboard message stating engine overheating - once i fill up the collant the light goes off this continually occurs every few weeks/months what is causing this to occured? i had it serviced and a leak has not been detected 2019 buick encore …”
2026-07-06 · Unknown Or Other“car purchased new in nov 2018. within 3 years needed a turbocharger replacement. at this time this was covered under warranty. recently had to undergo replacement for the turbocharger again. this time it was not covered under the warranty. in researching this problem i saw that in feb of 2024, buick extended the warranty on the buick 2017-2018 e…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.