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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 →

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

What owners actually said

124 reports
79,000 miles · Dec 15, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved and he was unable to shift the vehicle into the intended gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger needed to be r…

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The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved and he was unable to shift the vehicle into the intended gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbocharger needed to be replaced. The contact referenced TSB Number: PIP5495H for the turbocharger. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

NHTSA ODI #11497643

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2022
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

I've had my car for 3 years. I've always kept up with it's maintenance. My engine/head gasket are blown and I found out this is a common issue with this car. The airbags also dont recognize when there are passengers in the car. I started my car up one morning in September and all of my lights started flashing. I immediately turn…

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I've had my car for 3 years. I've always kept up with it's maintenance. My engine/head gasket are blown and I found out this is a common issue with this car. The airbags also dont recognize when there are passengers in the car. I started my car up one morning in September and all of my lights started flashing. I immediately turned it off and towed it to my mechanic to find out that it pretty much has everything wrong with it. My car is barely above 80k

NHTSA ODI #11496601

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2022
Steering

The car stopped having power steering and went into limp mode while I was turning into a school and then stalled.

NHTSA ODI #11475054

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2022
Steering

while driving, the check engine light came on, traction assist light and then the car lost power steering. Very scary.

NHTSA ODI #11465711

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2022
Air BagsElectrical System

We have had problems with the air bags since the car was new. The SRS light would come on for a couple months then go off. It says it has a problem with the passenger presence module. Never had a recall but the dealer said that when we took it in for an oil change they updated the firmware on the air bag system. It never did wor…

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We have had problems with the air bags since the car was new. The SRS light would come on for a couple months then go off. It says it has a problem with the passenger presence module. Never had a recall but the dealer said that when we took it in for an oil change they updated the firmware on the air bag system. It never did work, it would sometimes work then not work. I took it back a few weeks ago and told them it still isn't right and I said since it is a safety issue they should cover it. They told me that since Ohio doesn't have auto inspections that they are not responsibile for taking care of it and I was looking at over 1000 to repair. That pissed me off so I took my car and left. I am taking it to a independent garage. I have had lots of problems eith this car and only have 42000 on it now. My last GM, next will be Toyota/

NHTSA ODI #11461407

67,740 miles · Mar 8, 2022
Service BrakesTraction Control System

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH downhill during inclement weather, the vehicle experienced intermittent brake failure. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and ran off the roadway to prevent a crash. The vehicle drove over a curb before coming to a stop. There was…

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The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH downhill during inclement weather, the vehicle experienced intermittent brake failure. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and ran off the roadway to prevent a crash. The vehicle drove over a curb before coming to a stop. There was no injury sustained. The contact stated that the Traction Control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence where it remained unrepaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,740.

NHTSA ODI #11455708

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

Have had the car in the Buick dealership numerous times to get these things fixed. Each time was told it was fixed and I paid for parts and labor. 1. Engine Light keeps coming on. 2. traction light keeps coming on. 3. Power steering goes out 4. Press on gas and have to floor it in order to just crawl to a place to stop. 5 Ha…

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Have had the car in the Buick dealership numerous times to get these things fixed. Each time was told it was fixed and I paid for parts and labor. 1. Engine Light keeps coming on. 2. traction light keeps coming on. 3. Power steering goes out 4. Press on gas and have to floor it in order to just crawl to a place to stop. 5 Hard jumps after stopping at a light Have had this in to Tasca Buick and each time they say they fixed it - then it happens less then 2 weeks later. Have told them this car is going to kill someone with the steering going out while driving. I have a 2015 beautiful Buick Encore in the drive that I cannot drive. I am 77 years old and can't just walk. I don't know what to do. I have tried taking it in to have it fixed and it keeps doing the same things. It is definitely available for inspection. This has happened numerous times since I have had the car. Not just on one date - numerous dates

NHTSA ODI #11445454

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

While driving, I received a call that routed through the Bluetooth hands-free system. Within seconds of receiving the call, the entire system seemed to blitz out and shut the car off completely. Luckily I was not going fast and was able to glide to the side. I lost almost all the ability to control the car. If this had been o…

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While driving, I received a call that routed through the Bluetooth hands-free system. Within seconds of receiving the call, the entire system seemed to blitz out and shut the car off completely. Luckily I was not going fast and was able to glide to the side. I lost almost all the ability to control the car. If this had been on the freeway it wouldn't have ended as well.

NHTSA ODI #11445387

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2021
Exterior Lighting

The Body Control Module went out. I had it replaced. I do not know how long my back running light were out. I had brake and tag lights. There were no warning messages.

NHTSA ODI #11444103

71,000 miles · Dec 16, 2021
Electrical SystemSteeringFire

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was locked. Additionally, a burning odor was detected, and the tachometer was inoperable while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent …

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2015 Buick Encore. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was locked. Additionally, a burning odor was detected, and the tachometer was inoperable while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #11443985

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.