Illustration1. Both rear springs have broken within 1 year of each other. There were no accidents or any kind or off road driving. These are Expensive to fix. 2. Driver side airbag light is on. No idea why. Afraid to drive this vehicle.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Encore years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
340–25K
1625–50K
1750–75K
975–100K
4100–150K
0150K+
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
Suspension complaints
5 reportsIt’s it’s firing and shaking, and I have kept up on the oil changes. It’s a lot of money
The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while their son was driving at approximately 30 mph when they suddenly heard a booming sound from underneath the body of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then suddenly gear towards the right and the driver had lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle t…
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The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while their son was driving at approximately 30 mph when they suddenly heard a booming sound from underneath the body of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then suddenly gear towards the right and the driver had lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then crashed into another nearby vehicle which caused the vehicle to flip upside down. The air bags did deploy. A police incident report was filed. There were injuries to their hands, shoulders and back that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed however had not been decided to be deemed totaled as of yet. The contact stated that when a family member who was a licensed contractor in welding examined the vehicle they noticed the axle may have not been welded with appropriate material due to noticing that the material welding axle itself had deteriorated and began to detach from the axle. The contact was concerned that the failure could have resulted in a fatality had the driver been driving at higher speeds. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
I HAD PURCHASED A 2015 BUICK ENCORE VEHICLE ON MARCH 03, 2020, THAT HAD A "NOT FOR SALE" YELLOW STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHEN RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO JOHNNY LONDOFF SERVICE DEPT., BUT WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. IN AD…
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I HAD PURCHASED A 2015 BUICK ENCORE VEHICLE ON MARCH 03, 2020, THAT HAD A "NOT FOR SALE" YELLOW STICKER ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE WHEN RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO JOHNNY LONDOFF SERVICE DEPT., BUT WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. IN ADDITION, TO NOTICING THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS ON THE SMALLEST OF INCLINE. AS TIME WENT ON THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACK, THEN ROLL FORWARD ON LEVELED GROUNDS WHEN I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO JOHNNY LONDOFF SERVICE DEPT., AND AGAIN WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO TELLE TIRES AND AUTO CENTER AND FOUND THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS WORN OUT ON THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE VEHICLE, WITH STRUTS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED. THIS VEHICLE ROLLS BACK WHEN SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AT, IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH, AND JUST EVERYDAY DRIVING. JOHNNY LONDOFF SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE DAMAGES AND/OR REPAIRS NEEDED BEFORE SELLING ME THE VEHICLE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND BUYING A VEHICLE OR DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM. *JS
MY VEHICLE'S AWD DISABLED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROXIMATELY 5PM DURING A SNOWSTORM (I WAS ABOUT 9 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOME AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES). I WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE WHEN THE AWD SUDDENLY DISABLED, RESULTING IN VIOLENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I DROVE SIDEWAYS UP AND THEN CONSEQUENTL…
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MY VEHICLE'S AWD DISABLED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK APPROXIMATELY 5PM DURING A SNOWSTORM (I WAS ABOUT 9 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY HOME AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES). I WAS DRIVING UP AN INCLINE WHEN THE AWD SUDDENLY DISABLED, RESULTING IN VIOLENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I DROVE SIDEWAYS UP AND THEN CONSEQUENTLY DOWN THE HILL AND CURVY ROAD, VEERING INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE MANY TIMES DURING THE DURATION OF MY DRIVE HOME. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, I TRIED TO STAY IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD UNTIL I REACHED FLAT ROAD WITHOUT INCLINES, DIPS AND CURVES, WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SLIDE BACK INTO MY LANE. MY VEHICLE WAS CONSTANTLY PULLING ITSELF OFF THE ROAD AND HEADING TOWARDS THE GUARDRAILS. THE AWD DID NOT RECOVER AND I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE. I JUST BARELY MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE UP THE LAST INCLINE AND INTO MY STREET/DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT MORNING, THE AWD WAS RESTORED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT MY AWD DISABLED. THE FIRST TIME IT DISABLED WAS EARLIER THAT YEAR, APPROXIMATELY JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016, DURING A SNOWSTORM ON MY MORNING COMMUTE UP THE SAME ROAD. DURING THIS FIRST TIME, I HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 6 MINUTES WHEN THE AWD DISABLED. I SLID SIDEWAYS UP THE INCLINE BUT MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR IN MY LANE, ALTHOUGH IT WAS SLIDING FREQUENTLY..EVENTUALLY I REACHED A FLAT STRETCH OF ROAD WHEN THE AWD RESTORED ITSELF APPROXIMATELY WITHIN 15 MINUTES. BOTH DRIVING EXPERIENCES WHEN THE AWD DISABLED WERE INCREDIBLY FRIGHTENING. I SIMPLY THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. I REPORTED THE SECOND AND MOST RECENT INSTANCE TO MY CAR DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THAT THERE IS NO FIX AND NO RECALL. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALL-SEASON TIRES WHICH ARE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT AND ADEQUATE TO DEAL WITH WINTER WEATHER DRIVING. *TR
Official recalls
417V437000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.