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2015 Buick Encore

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Buick Encore do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 67.

About this comparison →
124Owner complaints

Model-year median: 67

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
52
201360
2014124
201579
201689
201774
2018
Compare all Encore years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
30Engine
29Steering
27Service Brakes
20Air Bags
16
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
15Power Train
11Fuel/propulsion System
7Exterior Lighting
5Structure
5Suspension
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Seat Belts
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Visibility/wiper
3Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Traction Control System
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

80 reports with mileage · 44 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
70,000 miles · Jul 3, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

THERE WAS A PIPE OR LINE THAT PART OF THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE MANIFOLD HAS BURNED THAT PIPE AND NOW AC ISN'T WORKING. THE FIX WILL BE $900. THE SYSTEM THAT IS IN CONTROL OF THE SEAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE SEAT WHEN YOU GET INTO CAR DOES NOT WORK. WIRELESS DOESN'T REMEMBER THE PHONE CONNECTIONS FROM ONE DRIVE TO THE NE…

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THERE WAS A PIPE OR LINE THAT PART OF THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE MANIFOLD HAS BURNED THAT PIPE AND NOW AC ISN'T WORKING. THE FIX WILL BE $900. THE SYSTEM THAT IS IN CONTROL OF THE SEAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO ADJUST THE SEAT WHEN YOU GET INTO CAR DOES NOT WORK. WIRELESS DOESN'T REMEMBER THE PHONE CONNECTIONS FROM ONE DRIVE TO THE NEXT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337370

103,888 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

WHILE DRIVING MOSTLY ON HIGHWAY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MINUTES THE STABILITRAK LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH ON AND OFF, THEN IT GOES SOLID, THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, THEN THE SERVICE POWER STEERING DISPLAY LIGHTS UP AND THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY GOES OUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS REVERSE NO LONGER WORKS. ON 12/10/19 I H…

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WHILE DRIVING MOSTLY ON HIGHWAY AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MINUTES THE STABILITRAK LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH ON AND OFF, THEN IT GOES SOLID, THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, THEN THE SERVICE POWER STEERING DISPLAY LIGHTS UP AND THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY GOES OUT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS REVERSE NO LONGER WORKS. ON 12/10/19 I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO WILKINS BUICK, THEY KEPT IT FOR 2 DAYS, NOTED THAT THEY DID SEE MULTIPLE DETECTS FOR LOSS OF COMMUNICATION W/POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND SAID THE BATTERY CABLE WAS LOOSE, CHARGED ME $440.60. ON 1/10/20 LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN, WE UNHOOKED THE BATTERY, REHOOKED IT WHICH CLEARED THE LIGHTS AND WAS ABLE TO GET HOME, PARKED CAR FOR THE WEEKEND. ON 1/13/20 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TO WORK, AFTER APPROX 30 MINUTES OF CONTINUOUS HWY DRIVING, THE STABILITRAK LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. I DROPPED IT OFF AT HERITAGE BUICK THAT NIGHT. THEY KEPT THE CAR FROM 1/14/20-1/20/20, TOLD ME THEY DID SEE MULTIPLE PREVIOUS CODES ABOUT LOSS OF COMMUNICATION WITH POWER STEERING THE PROBLEM DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN THEY DROVE IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I PICKED CAR UP ON 1/21/20. THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME, GAVE ME NO PAPERWORK. ON 1/13/20 I DID OPEN A COMPLAINT WITH GM, CASE [XXX] BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN A CLOSED RECALL 15168, #15V14600 FOR SAME PROBLEM WITH 2015 ENCORES WITH BUILD DATES BEGINNING 1 MONTH AFTER MINE. ON 1/31/20 AFTER DRIVING APPROX 1.5HRS ON HIGHWAY I LOST THE POWER STEERING AGAIN, UNHOOKED BATTERY, RESET ,DROVE HOME, PARKED CAR FOR WEEKEND. 2/3/20 AFTER DRIVING 30 MINUTES ON HWY STABILITRAK LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, DROPPED CAR AT HERITAGE BUICK. THEY HAVE HAD CAR SINCE THEN, ON 2/6/20 I ESCALATED COMPLAINT WITH GM, ON 2/7/20 [XXX] @ GM CALLED W/NEW CASE [XXX], HAVE NOT HAD ANY CONTACT FROM EITHER HERITAGE BUICK OR GM SINCE. I LEFT A MESSAGE FOR HERITAGE EARLIER TODAY REQUESTED UPDATE, NO RESPONSE YET. *DL PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

NHTSA ODI #11308490

36,000 miles · Mar 5, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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 TH…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11184265

74,733 miles · Sep 17, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

"TAKARA RECALL" MY 2015 BUICK AS BEEN DOING DIFFRENT THINGS. FIRST THE BLINKERS AND RADIO WENT OUT AND THEN IT CAME BACK AND NOW NONE OF THE DOORS LOCK WORKED. I WAS STUCK INSIDE MY CAR FOR 30 MIN. NOW THE IGNITION GETS REALLY HOT. AND THE DOORS WON'T UNLOCK IN THE BACK. IM CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SIGNAL…

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"TAKARA RECALL" MY 2015 BUICK AS BEEN DOING DIFFRENT THINGS. FIRST THE BLINKERS AND RADIO WENT OUT AND THEN IT CAME BACK AND NOW NONE OF THE DOORS LOCK WORKED. I WAS STUCK INSIDE MY CAR FOR 30 MIN. NOW THE IGNITION GETS REALLY HOT. AND THE DOORS WON'T UNLOCK IN THE BACK. IM CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SIGNAL WASN'T WORKING NEITHER THE RADIO BUT OUT OF NOWHERE IT STARTS WORKING. IT'S BEEN DOING IT ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST FOUR OR SO DAYS. THE KEY IS GETTING VERY HOT TO WHERE IT ALMOST BURN ME. VERY WEIRD... IM TRULY CONCERN ABOUT THAT. AND I WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T UNLOCK.

NHTSA ODI #11130029

Official recalls

4

17V437000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner

Jul 10, 2017

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 not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seat Belts:pretensioner

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 not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

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 not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal

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 not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

16V651000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner

Sep 8, 2016

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 and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seat Belts:pretensioner

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 and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

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 and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal

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 and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

15V162000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 20, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 26, 2014, to February 9, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured October 13, 2014, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the label is missing front and rear rim size information, the owner may replace the rims with ones that are an incorrect size, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and will send owners a corrected label, free of charge. The recall April 29, 2015. 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 15166.

15V146000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mar 13, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured November 27, 2014, to February 24, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured November 18, 2014, to February 17, 2015. The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2015. 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 15168.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.