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2016 Buick Encore

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Buick Encore do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 67.

About this comparison →
79Owner complaints

Model-year median: 67

2Recall 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
201884
2019
Compare all Encore years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine
40Fuel/propulsion System
13Power Train
11Electrical System
9Unknown Or Other
8
All reported categories
Air Bags
7Steering
5Seat Belts
4Structure
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Wheels
3Lane Departure
2Service Brakes
2Suspension
2Visibility/wiper
2Exterior Lighting
1Seats
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 38 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.

  • Engine. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 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 reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2026
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

On my way home in December 2025, my car started to sputter and make noises. All of a sudden the car started going about 10-15 miles. I almost go hit by several vehicles, because they had to put on brakes, I was trying to go up then down a hilly road. I finally was able to get to an Auto Advance Shop, I had to tow the car to Hon…

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On my way home in December 2025, my car started to sputter and make noises. All of a sudden the car started going about 10-15 miles. I almost go hit by several vehicles, because they had to put on brakes, I was trying to go up then down a hilly road. I finally was able to get to an Auto Advance Shop, I had to tow the car to Honda then to Buick for a diagnostic test. It had been over a month and I can’t get information in writing what the diagnostic test results are. I’ve had to rent a vehicle for over a month, even though I have a Lifetime Warranty on my power train and motor. I have submitted all my service and repair paperwork to John Miles Buick Conyers Georgia, the GM and Service Department, also I contacted GMC Corporate Office. I have been in a rental car for over a month that I can no longer afford. I don’t know where else to get results for my issue. Thank you, XXX. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11711624

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2021
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

The airbags is displaying OFF despite who is sitting on it. It's been going on for about a year since start of COVID and it isn't turning ON. Also, the backup camera is not working properly and suddenly displaying very dark and not showing up properly.

NHTSA ODI #11441171

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2021
Seat BeltsSeatsUnknown Or Other

I recently put the back seats down to put some boxes back there. It is stuck down. I don't know if the seat itself is stuck or if the seatbelt is messed up in there. Either way. I need my seat back up.

NHTSA ODI #11417882

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

2/2017- PURCHASED NEW 2016 BUICK ENCORE AT HONOLULU GMC IN FIRST 2 YEARS- DEALERSHIP REPLACED 4 BATTERIES I HAVE ALL STOCK ITEMS I HAVEN'T ADDED/UPGRADED ANYTHING ON THE VEHICLE THEY SAID I HAD NO WARRANTY AFTER 50,000 MILES WHICH WAS A LIE AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 2 MORE TIMES AND WATER PUMP ONCE SUCCESSFULLY A…

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2/2017- PURCHASED NEW 2016 BUICK ENCORE AT HONOLULU GMC IN FIRST 2 YEARS- DEALERSHIP REPLACED 4 BATTERIES I HAVE ALL STOCK ITEMS I HAVEN'T ADDED/UPGRADED ANYTHING ON THE VEHICLE THEY SAID I HAD NO WARRANTY AFTER 50,000 MILES WHICH WAS A LIE AFTER HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 2 MORE TIMES AND WATER PUMP ONCE SUCCESSFULLY AND NOT AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. 1/2021 I FOUND THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PAPERS, WHILE DEEP CLEANING CAR BEFORE TAKING IN TO BE FIXED ELSEWHERE AND THEN GMC ADMITTED I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. DUE TO LONG WAIT TIMES NEAREST APPOINTMENT IN 2/2021. 2/2021 TOOK TO FIX A/C BLOWING WARM, ENGINE LACK OF AND LOSING POWER (WHICH WE TOOK IN FOR THIS BEFORE AND THEY SAID NOTHINGS WRONG JUST NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE OR SOMETHING, GOTTA FIND PAPERWORK FOR THAT REPAIR TO BE SURE) AND PARASITIC BATTERY TEST THEY DIDN'T DO THE BATTERY TEST (OF COURSE THEY DIDN'T) THEY FIXED THE A/C BUT INSTEAD OF USING THE WARRANTY, CHARGED ME A HIGHER DIAGNOSIS FEE AND NEVER FILED THE CLAIM, SAID THE ENGINE WAS DUE TO SUBPAR SPARK PLUGS WE TOOK BACK OUR CAR AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS WITH DENSO. THERE WAS STILL THE SAME PROBLEMS. 3/23/2021 NOW THEY'RE SAYING CYLINDER 1 AND 3 SPARK PLUGS ARE STUCK WANT TO CHARGE $2500 FOR FULL FIX, WARRANTY WILL COVER $1300, BALANCE IS FOR GASKETS AND LIQUID REFILL. NOTE: NO ONE CHANGES THE SETTINGS IN A TORQUE WRENCH IN THE MIDDLE OF DOING SPARK PLUGS. HOW IS IT ONLY 2 ARE SEIZED? THEY'RE LYING I NEED A LAWYERS HELP PUTTING THIS HERE IN CASE ANY ONE ELSE HAD SIMILAR. MULTIPLE OTHER ISSUES IN BETWEEN THESE. I HAVE VIDEO RECORDINGS OF SOME OF THESE INSTANCES AND PAPERWORK FOR EACH REPAIR

NHTSA ODI #11405099

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE HEAT DOES NOT WORK WHILE IDLING. ONLY HEATS UP WHILE DRIVING. BEGAN AT 20 K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11353521

60,000 miles · Aug 24, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

WHEN I MY CAR STOPS AT LIGHTS STOP SIGNS AND AUTO STOP KICKS ON AND I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE TO GO MY AIR BAG LIGHTS FLASHES AND STAYS ON FOR A SECOND AND THEN GOES OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING ALL THE TIME . THEN RECENTLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND ENDED UP STOPPING AND AUTO STOP KICKED ON MY CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND I COULDN'T MOVE…

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WHEN I MY CAR STOPS AT LIGHTS STOP SIGNS AND AUTO STOP KICKS ON AND I TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE TO GO MY AIR BAG LIGHTS FLASHES AND STAYS ON FOR A SECOND AND THEN GOES OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING ALL THE TIME . THEN RECENTLY WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND ENDED UP STOPPING AND AUTO STOP KICKED ON MY CAR MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND I COULDN'T MOVE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY STREET AT LIGHT I HAD TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT FOR IT TO EVEN MOVE THIS HAPPENED TWO DIFFERENT TIMES TO ME I AM VERY WORRIED BECAUSE NO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON OR NOTHING AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS ALSO MY AIRBAG LIGHT SHOULD NOT COME ON WHILE I'M DRIVING THIS ASWELL IS DANGEROUS

NHTSA ODI #11350835

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2020
Unknown Or Other

AIR CONDITIONER ON MUST OF THIS CAR FAIL IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEY ARE GETTING AWAY WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #11318162

3,500 miles · Aug 22, 2017
Unknown Or Other

THE WHEEL WELL LINER AND THE PLASTIC BUMPER ATTACHMENT ARE ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER OR NEAR EACH OTHER. IN MY OPINION THIS TYPE OF MATERIAL AND DESIGN IS FAULTY. THIS DESIGN DOES NOT SUPPORT HEAVY SNOW. LAST MARCH WHEN THE ROCHESTER, NY. RECEIVED HEAVY SNOW, THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOW CAUSED THE WHEEL LINER AND THE BUMPER TO TEAR. THE…

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THE WHEEL WELL LINER AND THE PLASTIC BUMPER ATTACHMENT ARE ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER OR NEAR EACH OTHER. IN MY OPINION THIS TYPE OF MATERIAL AND DESIGN IS FAULTY. THIS DESIGN DOES NOT SUPPORT HEAVY SNOW. LAST MARCH WHEN THE ROCHESTER, NY. RECEIVED HEAVY SNOW, THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOW CAUSED THE WHEEL LINER AND THE BUMPER TO TEAR. THE TEARING OF BOTH THE BUMPER AND THE WHEEL LINER CREATED A STEERING HAZARD WHICH PROHIBITS SHARP STEERING AND MANEUVERABILITY IN DRIVING CONDITIONS, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ODI #11018776

Official recalls

2

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.

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.